Yardsharing

[whispurr]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Washington

We are considering yardsharing (letting a couple of other people use our yard to garden in in exchange for a portion of their yield.) My question is about liability if someone were to get hurt while on our property. We don't have anything that *should* hurt them, but they might hurt themselves with a shovel or something. You never know.

So, would it do us any good at all to have them sign a liability waiver? Increasing our homeowners insurance doesn't make a lot of sense since there is no financial gain in sharing our yard.

I realize gardening isn't a high risk activity, but I'd rather be safe than sorry!

Thank you,
Teresa

 

[FlyingRon]

Yardsharing? We used to call that share cropping.

Waivers will not disclaim negligence, nor will it prevent a lawsuit.
What do you mean "increasing homeowners insurance makes no sense"? Insurance limits are not set by how much income you are receiving but how much liability you have.

 

[whispurr]

Would it be considered negligence if someone was gardening on our property and hurt themselves? We don't have anything dangerous like a dog or sharp objects that could be considered negligent, it's just a yard full of grass, albeit tall grass!

What I meant about increasing insurance not making any sense is that adding an expensive umbrella policy or increasing limits, etc. doesn't make sense to do just for this situation since doing this would be bringing us no financial gain. If we were going to be making money by sharing our yard then I could see increasing our coverage. Does that make more sense?

Thanks,
Teresa

 

[FlyingRon]

You'll be getting paid in kind. As far as the law is concerned, that's the same as if they handed you an equivalent amount of cash.

As I said, a waiver will NOT prevent you from getting sued.
A waiver, will not prevent you from losing a lawsuit if they allege some sort of negligence responsibility is ascribed to you.

Farming is dangerous business at times. I'd also see if you have ANY coverage for leasing/sharecropping as you are envisioning on your homeowners policy.