Guest Blog: Contributed by Jackson Sawa of 1 Point 21 Interactive

There’s no doubt that becoming a homeowner is an incredibly exciting experience for a number of reasons. Nevertheless, there are also a lot of responsibilities that come along with this venture including, upkeep, bills, and something many new homeowners overlook, premises liability. According to the premises liability lawyers at Ring Jiminez, PC, if a New Mexico property owner is negligent in keeping their property reasonably safe for others, he or she may be legally liable for any accident that befalls a visitor on the premises. So, here are three key measures to take to decrease liability on your property.

Inspect

 One of the first ways to avoid either yourself or getting hurt on your own property is to regularly inspect the area. Although this doesn’t mean that you have to conduct a full inspection of your house and yard every day, it doesn’t hurt to make sure there isn’t anything that blatantly sticks out as potentially harmful. Even though it is important to keep you and your family safe, this is particularly crucial to do if you are expecting guests or are hosting an event. A blanket inspection of your property should always be at the top of your to-do list prior to your guest’s arrival.

Fix

 Next, if you do find something on the premises that could result in the injury of someone, it is your responsibility as the property owner to fix the problem. For example, if the stairs leading up to your house are rotting and hazardous, it is your job to repair them so they no longer pose a threat to anybody that might use them. This applies to everything within your property line up to a reasonable point. Of course, there are instances when someone can be injured on your property, and even if they file a premises liability claim against you, it won’t hold up because they may have been at fault or your property may have been up to legal standards.

Warn

Another precaution a homeowner should take to avoid legal issues is to warn others of situations that may be hazardous. If your house is under construction, a tree is being trimmed, or other instances that you can’t necessarily solve on the spot, a simple warning is enough for you to no longer have liability. Once a person is made aware of a danger, it is their personal responsibility to look after themselves. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by putting up warning signs that everyone can see upon entering the property or the dangerous area.

In the end, if you are a homeowner in New Mexico, you are in charge of its upkeep and the safety of those on your property. And, although it’s unlikely that people have intent on filing a premises liability case against you, it never hurts to be prepared.

Contact Bunny Terry when you are ready to take the next steps on your home buying journey!

(505)504-1101