Rights or Responsibilities of Tenants of a Mobile home

Unfortunately, tenants or owners of manufactured homes don’t have as many rights as owners or tenants of regular homes because different laws apply to single wide or double wide mobile homes. The section on mobile home rights explains rights of tenants and owners. If you live in a mobile home park that contains five or more trailers, you are protected by the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. The Act applies whether you own or rent your trailer.

Rights as a mobile home park tenant

A tenant has the right to:

• Receive a written 24-month lease unless tenant agrees otherwise.
• Automatically renew tenant’s lease, unless the owner gives tenant a good reason, in writing, at least 30 days before tenant’s lease expires.
• Receive a written copy of all rules and regulations governing the park before tenant signs the lease.
• At least 12 months written notice before tenant must move, if the owner decides to cease operation of all or part of the park.
• If tenant fails to pay rent when due. The owner must give tenant a written five-day notice to pay rent.
• The park owner must allow the term specified in the notice to expire and then serves tenant with an eviction notice before filing a court action.
• The park owner cannot evict tenant by changing his locks or removing his belongings. The park owner must follow the proper eviction procedures.
• During the first 30 days tenant resides in park, tenant may terminate his lease and leave his trailer.
• If the park contains 25 or more mobile homes, tenants or buyer are entitled to interest on tenant or buyer’s security deposit. Within 30 days after the end of tenant’s lease, the park owner is required to pay tenant the interest owed or apply it to any rent that is due if tenant and park owner both agree to do so.

The lease contract includes;

• Tenant’s specific lot number.
• The names and addresses of all the owners and managers of the mobile home park
• All fees, including late fees and charges for park service
• Tenant’s can only be evicted for non-payment of rent, violation of laws, or for violation of the lease or rules and regulations

Duties and Responsibilities as a mobile home park tenant

As the tenant of a mobile home park, your duties and responsibilities are:

• Keep your trailer and lot clean and free of junk and trash;
• Use all provided utilities and appliances in a reasonable and safe manner
• Obey all reasonable and lawful park rules
• Not repair vehicles in the park without the park owner’s permission
• Not disturb or interfere with other tenants in the park.
• Comply with all park rules

A park rule is enforceable if:

• A copy of the rule was delivered to tenant prior to signing a lease;
• The purpose of the rule is protect park services and facilities for all tenants
• The rule applies to all tenants in a fair manner
• The rule is clear in what conduct is not tolerated
• The rule is not for the purpose of protecting the park owner from any obligation they may have.