Manufactured Park Owner & Manager Tenant Relations & Responsibilities

1. What can residents do about park managers who act unprofessionally?

There are no state mandated qualifications to be a mobilehome park manager.

Many are good managers, however, a few lack professional training and oversight. The MRL gives residents certain rights, but when contentious issues have to be resolved, residents have a right to contact an agency (such as the local fair housing commission) or advocacy group that will assist them in assessing and achieving a solution to the problem.

● Contact local or state fair housing commission for counsel and assistance.

What good is the MRL if there is no enforcement and residents have to go to court to protect themselves?

The MRL – the landlord-tenant law for mobilehome parks -- is part of the Civil Code. The enforcement mechanism is through the civil courts, not law enforcement or another government agency.

There is no mobilehome “police.” Courts are a branch of government responsible for, among other aspects, resolving or deciding civil disputes.

Recap:

● The MRL is enforced through the courts.

2. Does the law require a manager to be on the premises at all times in case of emergencies?

Not exactly. State law requires a manager or his/her designee to reside in parks with 50 or more spaces, but does not require them to be on the premises 24 hours a day. (Health and Safety Code §18603)

It also requires a person to be available by phone, pager, answering machine or answering service, and to reasonably respond in a timely manner to emergencies concerning the operation and maintenance of the park.

The agency responsible for enforcement of park health and safety requirements is either local government or HCD.

Recap:

● The park manager does not have to be on the premises 24 hours a day. ● The park manager does have to be available by phone or other

communication device to respond to health and safety emergencies affecting the park.

3. Does the park manager have the right to enter the resident’s lot without notice?

The MRL provides that the park manager has the right to enter the lot at reasonable times and in a manner that does not interfere with the resident’s “quiet enjoyment” for the purpose of maintaining utilities, trees and driveways, protection of the park, and for maintenance of the premises where the resident has failed to maintain them in accordance with the park rules. (Civil Code §798.26)

Recap:
● Park manager may enter private lots under reasonable circumstances,

as defined in the MRL. 

4. How can residents find out who owns and operates the park?

The manager shall provide the name and address of the park owner to residents who request it.(Civil Code §798.28)

Also, listings of park owners/operators can be found on the state Department of Housing’s (HCD’s) Mobilehome and RV Parks Search website.

Recap:

● For the name of the park owner or operator, search online at www.hcd.gov.ca 

The MRL does not require the manager to give the resident a notice for this purpose, however the manager does not have the right to enter the home without prior written consent of the homeowner except in an emergency or where the resident has abandoned the home. (Civil Code §798.26(b))