HUD Mobile Home Requirements
Manufactured homes, often called mobile homes, represent a significant part of the affordable-housing sector. In 2009, nearly 25 percent of new homes selling for less than $200,000 were mobile homes, according to the New York Times. Manufactured homes are built on a chassis, which distinguishes them from similar modular homes. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulates these homes through the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards.
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Construction Requirements
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Mobile homes must be built to HUD codes in a manufacturing plant. A manufactured home must be at least 400 square feet, built on a permanent chassis, designed to be erected on a permanent foundation and designed for single-family living as a principal residence. In addition to body and frame requirements, the home must meet codes for thermal protection, plumbing, electrical and fire safety features. The HUD standards also specify minimum requirements for ceiling heights, room sizes, window size, number of exterior doors and other construction details.
HUD Tags
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A manufactured home meeting HUD codes must display a red certification tag on the exterior of each section that can be individually transported. If the tag is missing, the property is ineligible for financing or insurance through HUD; in some states, a home can't be sold without the HUD tag, according to the HUD Handbook. The seal must be located as near as possible to the taillight end of each section, 1 foot above the floor and 1 foot in from the right side, as viewed from the tow bar end. The tag must display a construction date after June 15, 1976, when the current standards took effect.
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Transporting The Home
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In traveling mode, manufactured home sections must be 8 feet or more in width and 40 feet or more in length, according to the HUD Handbook.
Site Requirements
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Under the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000, HUD must enforce regulations for installation of a mobile home. The mobile home must remain on its permanent chassis and located on a site served by permanent water and sewer facilities and subject to real estate taxes. An all-weather roadway must provide sufficient access to the unit. The home must be placed on a permanent foundation that includes concrete footings for support and tie-down anchors that are impervious to rot and insect infestation, according to the HUD Handbook. An appraiser must be able to verify that the home is adequately anchored, supported and stabilized by the foundation.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit mobiles homes 6 image by Marc Rigaud from Fotolia.com
