As a mobile homeowner you not only have a right to know the laws that govern living in a mobile home, but it’s also in your best interests to know what the laws are. Only then can you fully understand your rights, along with the rights of any mobile home park you live in.
When it comes to mobile home park tenant rights california has laws for mobile home owners, as well as mobile park owners.
To give you a heads up on these important laws, we’ll cover 7 such laws that you should know before enrolling to live in a mobile home park.
Table of Contents
#1 – A Rental Agreement Must Be Offered
Even if you’re buying the mobile home, if it’s situated in a mobile home park and you plan to reside in the park, you’ll be leasing the land the home is on. For this reason, the park must offer you a rental agreement, stating the amount of rent, fees, length of the tenancy, plus park rules and regulations. Also, you should receive a copy of the MRL (Mobile Home Residency Law), so you fully understand your rights.
#2 – You Can Be Charged Additional Fees On Top Of Rent
There can be additional fees on top of your rent and utilities for services rendered, but these fees must be stipulated in your rental agreement. If the park plans to introduce a new fee that’s not in your current agreement, management must give you 60 days written notice informing you of the proposed new fee before they start charging it to you.
#3 – The Mobile Home Park Is Responsible For Park Upkeep
When it comes to all the common areas of the mobile home park, management is fully responsible for the maintenance, repair, cleaning and general upkeep of the park. This also includes the pruning or removal of trees on your specific lot, if a public code enforcement inspector deems the tree to be a hazard and poses a potential health and safety violation. As a tenant, you must respect the park, as well as keep your mobile home and lot in good order.
#4 – Park Rules & Regulations Are Enforceable Under the MRL
The rules and regulations of a mobile home park run congruently with your rental agreement. These rules are enforceable under Mobile Home Residency Law. Home parks require rules and regulations to ensure the park is looked after, property respected, common areas are looked after, noise levels are kept to a minimum, and just general regulation of park conduct. Rules and regulations are also necessary to guarantee all residents live in peace and harmony with one another. Hundreds of people live in mobile home parks, so some form of “law and order” is essential to keep things running smoothly.
#5 – Your Home May Be Subject To Inspection
The HCD (Department of Housing and Community Development) might inspect your mobile home for any code violations. They can do this once every 7 years, or sooner if there has been a complaint filed under the Mobile Parks Act. Inspectors cannot enter your home unless you invite them inside. For non-life threatening violations, these must be corrected in 30 to 60 days, but violations that cause an immediate threat must be rectified immediately.
#6 – You Can Be Evicted From a Mobile Home Park
It doesn’t matter whether you rent the mobile home you’re living in or own your home, you can still be evicted from a mobile home park. Some reasons for eviction could include:
- Your general conduct within the park continually affects the quality of living of the other residents, such as excessive noise on a regular basis
- You are regularly late in paying rent, park fees and utilities, or don’t pay at all
- You have violated local law and ordinance and have not complied by rectifying an issue
- You have committed a criminal offence inside the park
- And more…
#7 – When a Park Closes Down
In areas where permits are not required to close down a mobile home park, then park owners/management must give residents 12 months written notice of intention to close. If the park acquires permits in areas where permits are required, then 6 months written notice must be given. In the case of the latter, local jurisdiction may require the park to assist residents with the cost of relocation.