Are you considering an investment in a new home? If you find the price tag on today’s manufactured homes far more attractive than the exorbitant prices being paid for brick-and-mortar houses, you are not alone. Numerous individuals, couples, and families have opted for mobile home community living over going into debt way over their heads by taking out a massive mortgage on a brick-and-mortar house.
But living in a mobile or manufactured home community is different from living in a house on your own land. There are, for example, manufactured home community rules and regulations that must be adhered to. Some things are the responsibility of the community, other things fall to the residents. What are some of the more common rules and regulations where these communities are concerned? Who is responsible for what?
Let’s take a look at life in a manufactured home community.
Mobile Home Communities
Manufactured homes are often referred to as mobile homes, either term being correct. Living in a community of manufactured homes should be an enjoyable, safe, and healthy experience. There are many state rules and laws to regulate communities to make them just that. (Many communities also set up their own regulations.)
Though different states will have different regulations and rules, the information here is pretty generally accepted.
The responsibilities of the mobile home community owner:
- Garbage collection
- Adequate exterior lighting
- Roadways are maintained
- Proper home location and site sizes
- Constructing and maintaining safe electrical, sewage disposal, and water supply system
Constructing and maintaining safe electrical, sewage disposal, and water supply system
Obviously, not everything is left up to the community owner. Cooperation and assistance from any and all residents are expected. Some of these responsibilities (assigned to the residents) are as follows:
- To prevent water accumulation, automobile tires, open containers, etc., must be appropriately stored.
- Weeds and grass must be trimmed.
- Skirting cannot consist of bales of straw.
- Either 6 inches above the ground or on an impervious surface, all firewood must be neatly stacked.
- You cannot store household furniture and/or appliances outdoors.
- You cannot use the community property to do major automobile repairs.
- You cannot store, on community property, inoperable or unlicensed automobiles.
- Daily, you must clean out any animal retention areas.
- Garbage container lids must be kept on and only approved containers can be used for garbage.
Renting Out Manufactured Homes
Whether you are renting a manufactured home from someone or if you own a manufactured home and are renting it out to a tenant, people living in the mobile home must adhere to any and all regulations set up by either the state or the community itself. Violation of these rules could lead to a renter being asked to leave. If you own the manufactured home and are renting it to a tenant, this is a headache you don’t need.
Make sure you do all you can to screen tenants before you sign a lease with them. In the lease, it should clearly state that they must adhere to all community regulations, rules, etc. If they are in violation of those rules, it must be clearly stated in the lease that they open themselves up to possible eviction.
With all of the above-stated information in place, numerous individuals, couples, and families enjoy mobile home community living every day. There are often clubhouses, parties, game rooms, pools, and more for those who like a real community feeling and want to experience a sense of belonging.