Whether you’re a first time home owner or have lived in your mobile home for years, you may be wondering, “what are my rights as a mobile home owner?” We’ve compiled some important information about what it means to be a mobile home owner and tips on what to do when your rights as a mobile home owner are violated.
Housing Discrimination
If you have experienced discrimination on the basis of your sex or gender, race or ethnicity, or the composition of your family, you have the right to fight back.
No matter where you live, or what type of home you own, you are covered by a federal (national) law called the Fair Housing Act. This law was created to be sure that no one would be subject to lesser treatment in housing because of their race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or familial status.
What could discrimination look like? Here are a few examples:
- You are asked to purchase a lot in a certain area because the other residents in that area share your race or national origin.
- You are a member of a minority religious group and you are told over and over again that your home is not ready to move into, when you know that it has been ready for some time.
- You are told that you have to leave a mobile home park because you added members to your household (i.e. a spouse or children).
- You are denied a loan and you believe it is an act of discrimination based on your race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or familial status
These are just a few examples of discrimination that could take place in violation of the Fair Housing Act. In many places, there are also state and local ordinances that also prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
It is also important to note that there is one common exception to age discrimination. There are many communities reserved for residents who are over the age of 55, and this is perfectly legal. If you or anyone in your household is under the age of 55, you may not be able to live in one of these communities.
So, what do you do if you think you’ve experienced housing discrimination? You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Visit the HUD website for more information on what might happen after you file your complaint.
I don’t own the lot I live on.
While many people who live in mobile homes are the owners of their dwelling, it is less common that they also own the plot of land that the home sits on. It is important for you to know your rights regarding the leasing of space in a mobile home community.
The “landlord” has a number of responsibilities when it comes to maintaining living standards in the mobile home community. While regulations will vary depending on where you live, the following standards must be met no matter where you live.
- Landlords must keep the community safe and clean.
- They must keep water and other utilities in good working order.
- They must obtain your permission before entering your home for any reason.
If your landlord fails to meet these requirements, you likely have some recourse. The best way to address problems like the ones listed above is to contact your manufactured housing state association or regulatory agency.
Even residents who own their mobile homes outright sometimes face eviction if they are leasing the land their home sits on. There are some legitimate reasons why a landlord would evict a mobile home owner from their lot, including non-payment of rent, deliberate damage to community property, or other violations of community rules. Even in these cases, you may be able to fight your eviction. It is recommended that you contact your manufactured housing state association or regulatory agency when you receive an eviction notice for a potentially legitimate reason.
There are cases where a landlord’s attempt to evict you could be illegal. Any reason for eviction that violates the Fair Housing Act (discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability) is illigitimate and should be reported to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Regardless of the reason for your eviction notice, you can only be removed from your home by a sheriff with a court order.
My home has been damaged.
What to do when your mobile home is damaged depends largely on how the damage occurred. Here, we cover two types of damage that could impact your home.
Manufacturer Defect: If you find that there is structural damage to your home that was likely caused by the manufacturer, the first step is to contact the company you purchased the home from and see if you can resolve the problem directly with them. If this doesn’t work, you can then contact HUD and file a complaint against the manufacturer. You have the right to a safe and livable manufactured home, and if your home has not been constructed in compliance with HUD’s safety standards, the company is liable.
Weather and Natural Disaster Damage: If your mobile home suffers damage caused by natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, fires, and tornadoes, you are entitled to apply for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cover expenses not covered by insurance and other aid. However, many applications for FEMA aid are denied because residents are not able to produce the title to prove ownership of their home. Make sure you are in possession of your home’s title and all paperwork associated with the purchase of your home.
You need to know this.
It may seem like a minor detail, but it’s important to be certain about what type of home you own. There are a few different names for mobile homes that are often used interchangeably. Your rights as a homeowner may be different depending on the type of home you own.
When we’re talking about legal rights, the term “mobile home” is used to refer to a type of home that people tended to own in the 1960s and early 1970s. These homes were smaller than the type of home you might own today, and they truly were mobile. Many of them had wheels attached and could be easily moved around. The term is still used in common parlance today, but when it comes to advocating for your rights, make sure you know how your home is classified.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rolled out the Federal National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act in 1974. This law created stricter standards for the construction and design of mobile homes. In fact, they even decided to use a new name for homes built after 1974. Because this is a federal law, it overrides any regulations created by states and municipalities.
Because of the set of regulations put forth by HUD in 1974, what used to be referred to as mobile homes are now called manufactured homes. Manufactured homes are completely constructed in a factory and then brought to the plot of land where you want your home to sit.
You may have also heard of “modular homes”. These are similar to manufactured homes, but these homes are not regulated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Any regulations around the construction and safety standards of modular homes are regulated by the state or city where you live. The only thing that distinguishes modular homes from mobile homes is the way they are constructed. Modular homes are only partially assembled before being transported to the home site.
The law can be complicated, and it can be difficult to know exactly what our rights are as mobile home owners. But the most powerful tool you have at your disposal is knowledge! Continue reading about your rights as a mobile home owner by Google searching “what are my rights as a mobile home owner in [insert your state here]?”
My mobile home has been sinking it just sits on a dirt foundation and when it rains all the water that collects runs under my home. O have also had roof damage do to the many branches that have fallen on my mobile home not just in storms but daily. Which has cause my roof to leak. I have written many letters yet can’t get the owners to do anything . Is this my responsibility or is the land I rent theirs? Also they have made out a lease which I feel violates the rights of tenants. I need to sign but do not agree with many things they put in lease.
If the trees are on city property, it may be worth contacting the city to have them cut back. – Cat
Here are some other resources that may help: https://lowincomerelief.com/help-with-mobile-home-repairs/
@Paul katosh, I know this but rent is paid in full. I am agree to the owner I don’t like the that he is not thinking about the tenants just his self
I owen my mobile in a mobile home park .a new wants to change my porch – deck and fence on a lot that I was renting.the owener has already raised the lot rent . what can I do over rhis
Hi Michael. It may be worth checking the original contract/lease to see what it says they can and cannot do.
Legal Aid may be able to help interpret it:
https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
Who do I turn to when I have purchase a brand new mobile home and the company is not complying with the service issues warranty I have plumbing issues I have no hot water no working toilet in the master bathroom. A crack in the guest tub. The mobile home is on my property not in a mobile home park.
You may need legal advice. https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
I have lived in a mobile home park for 16 years. It was always the policy that a new owner could assume the sellers lease. Our leases ran from may 1st of ever year until April 30th of the following year. All of a sudden the company changed this policy without written notification to our residents. Now the new owner can not assume the sellers lease at the same rent they must pay an increase of $100-$150 extra per month. We have a 3% increase cap in New York. Is this legal for the park owners to increase on new sales. Thank You
Hi Barbara. You may need to consult an attorney.
https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
The mobile home park I live in was just sold, I own my trailor. The new owner wants ALL older than 1980 models bulldozed, apparently we are to receive a letter staying well have 30 days to get out. We can’t afford to move! What are my rights?
Hi Kathy. I’m so sorry to hear that. You may need legal advice.
https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
i live in indiana, i own the home but rent the lot. The electrical connection under my mobile home failed resulting in a $1000.00 repair bill. Is the mobile home park responsible for any of that cost? Keep in mind nothing on my home failed just the connection underneath that the mobile home park installed
Hi Jay. They might be responsible if the failure was due to a defect in their part of the connection.
https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
What is the process if the owner of the trailer was evicted but they sold it to someone else what is the process for the new owner
Hi Trisha. It sounds like you may still need to remove it from the property. You can contact Legal Aid for advice.
https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
I live with my boyfriend who owns his trailor but is being evicted an he is incarcerated and I’m not on the lease. Do I have to leave the trailor since I’m not on the lease does it apply to me or no?
Hi Jessica. It’s likely that an eviction would apply to everyone living there.
You may be able to seek legal advice through Legal Aid. https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
I own my mobile home but pay lot rent l have been here 12yrs.Now there are knew property owners coming in My mobile home its a older model like 70s what are my grandfather rights? An also can they come in an charge me pet fees for my dogs when they been here 12 yrs also
Hi Carla. It may depend on your state as well as what is in your contract.
It may be worth consulting an attorney: https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
Are Park managers allowed to discard you’re personal property on the lot you rent, but own the home? What do you call constant suggestions of being told to put your name on a low income disability housing project because you can’t handle the property. Can management remove trees on LOT you rent without giving any notice, but notified all the other tenants in park. What can I do?
Hi Marie. I would recommend checking your contract to see what they can and cannot do. You may need legal advice.
https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
I own my trailer but not the lot, I’m in a mobile home community. My problem is this, I’ve been having someone damage my sheds, my screen door, my plants, trail cam, even my windshield. I’ve talked to the managers and the owners and they don’t believe they have any responsibility for someone damaging my property. It’s not a one time thing, it’s a few times a week. I can’t afford a camera for every direction. They ruined my $125 trail cam. I’m in Minnesota. My question is this, do they have any responsibility? It’s very stressful not knowing what will be ruined by morning.
There may be some responsibility on their side when it comes to keeping the community safe. Legal advice may be needed. https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
Hi Charlotte. It may depend on the laws in your state. There is usually no clear line on who needs to call the police when there is a disturbance.
I just purchased a mobile home in a park in rock branch West Virginia I paid the $45 fee for the application and was approved but was told I would not be receiving a lease agreement until the past due was paid from the previous owner which is in our contract that he was to pay all previous balance is only from a home Dated before May, The new owner has hike the price up to 425 for a lot not 225, and still refusing to give me a lease I am not allowed to live in a home that I own