The Renters' Rights in Mobile Home Parks for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents living in mobile home parks fall into two categories. Mobile home owners own their mobile homes outright but rent spaces in mobile home parks. Mobile home renters do not own the mobile homes and rent the properties directly from landlords. Both owners renting the land and renters have rights under law.
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Leasing Agreements
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A renter will have either a written or oral lease with his landlord. However, any lease lasting more than three years must have a written agreement, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The lease will include the length of tenancy, amount of rent and rules for renting the mobile home. A mobile home owner will sign a contract with the owner of the mobile home park. This contract will state any fees associated with renting the land and any community rules the owner must follow.
Rental and Land Fees
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A landlord can charge a security deposit. However, RentLaw.com, a national landlord tenant guide, reports that the deposit cannot exceed two-month's rent and the landlord must return the deposit within 30-days of the tenant vacating the mobile home. The landlord can also charge rent. Mobile home parks can charge a mobile home owner an installation fee, monthly rent, services charges that cover utilities or maintenance and a removal fee. The Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association reports that the park owner can increase these fees only after posting a notice inside the mobile home park and mailing a notice to the mobile home owner at least 30 days prior to the increase.
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Tenant Obligations
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A tenant must follow any rules listed in the lease agreement. The tenant must keep the mobile home in a good, clean condition. If the tenant causes any damage to the mobile home, he would need to notify the landlord and may have to pay for the cost of repairs. A mobile home owner renting a lot must follow the mobile home park rules. However, the mobile home park owner must provide a written list of these rules upon moving into the property.
Evictions
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The landlord can evict a tenant for failing to pay the rent or violating the any clause listed in the lease. Before filing an eviction, the landlord must give the tenant a written notice. Typically, the landlord must give the tenant a 30-day notice to vacate for a lease under one-year and a 90-day notice to vacate for a lease greater than one-year, according to Tenant.net, a resource for residential tenants. However, the landlord can stipulate a shorter timeframe in the lease agreement. A mobile home owner can get evicted from a mobile home lot if he does not pay the rent or violate the rules of the mobile home park. The Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association reports that the owner must receive at least a 20-day notice to pay past due rent on his first offense before the park can evict the tenant. On the second offense, the park does not have to provide a notice.
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References
- Photo Credit un mobil-home image by Gilles Paire from Fotolia.com
