Mobile home park residents get legal help and added protections

The Access to Counsel in Evictions Program provides legal representation in mobile home park repossession cases. The program covers people who occupy mobile home park premises under a legal right and meet the income limit. Household income must be no more than 50% of the state median, adjusted for household size. For a first appeal, the designated legal services group must find sufficient legal grounds. A designated legal services group must provide access as soon as possible after the park owner gives notice of intent to file or a repossession case begins.

Park owners must follow new rules for rental agreements, fees, utilities, and resident treatment. These rules cover mobile home park residents and prospective residents; renewal rights depend on whether a resident qualifies. Qualified residents must be offered a renewal for at least one year; qualification includes having no substantial violation in the six months immediately before the current term ends and owning a home that reasonably meets park standards. Residents may bring an action over certain rental agreement violations; a court may order a correction and award remedies allowed by law. These rules apply only to rental agreements entered into on or after October 1, 2026.

Park owners must give notice before filing repossession cases and follow added court and removal procedures. These procedures cover repossession cases against mobile home park residents and known subtenants. For a case based on unpaid rent, the resident has 10 days after receiving notice to pay before the owner may file. To pause removal during an appeal, the resident must meet bond and rent-escrow requirements; a court must waive the bond if the resident’s lawyer files a good-faith affidavit. After a warrant is executed, the resident generally has at least 30 days before the owner may take the premises; the court may extend that time for good cause. The procedures apply only to repossession cases started on or after October 1, 2026. The 30-day period before the owner may take the premises begins after the warrant is executed.