Manufactured HousingSales and Escrows
Section § 18035
This law section is primarily about the requirements for selling or leasing a manufactured home or mobilehome through a dealer in California. It mandates that a formal written purchase agreement be created when selling or leasing these homes. The dealer has to set up an escrow account, which is a secure account used to hold funds until all conditions of the sale are met. Payments like down payments or deposits should go into this escrow account, which is managed by an escrow agent.
The law details specific steps and conditions for new homes versus used homes, including escrow instructions like securing the original manufacturer’s certificate for new homes or current registration and title for used homes. There are rules about how to handle liens on the home, including satisfying or transferring these liens through escrow.
If there are disputes, funds can be held in escrow until resolved. Additionally, if a sale is subject to certain inspections or local taxes, the escrow instructions must address these as well. There are also consequences for failing to comply with these regulations. If someone violates these sale procedures, the affected party can take legal action to recover damages and attorney's fees.
Section § 18035.1
This law requires dealers and purchasers involved in selling or leasing new or used manufactured homes or mobilehomes to sign a receipt for deposit. The receipt must include several key statements: that the purchaser receives copies of the purchase contract and receipt, that documents should be complete before the purchaser signs, and detailed amounts for deposits or down payments including potential escrow disputes.
It also needs to assure that oral promises are not binding unless written, inform purchasers about warranties, and outline options for seeking relief if there are issues. The sale isn't final until escrow closes. If registration isn't involved, essential information must still be provided. The Department may also require private sellers to provide similar documentation.
Section § 18035.2
This law outlines the requirements for dealers who sell manufactured homes or mobile homes to be installed on a foundation system. Dealers must document the sale, obtain the buyer's signature, and set up an escrow account with specific instructions for managing funds related to the purchase.
For new homes, the escrow instructions must ensure that the manufacturer's certificate of origin is placed in escrow and address any inventory creditor claims either by paying them or obtaining their consent.
If a fee related to school district requirements is applicable, it must be paid from the escrow at closing.
Section § 18035.3
When a dealer sells a new or used manufactured or mobile home, the purchase documents must include several key pieces of information. These include a detailed description and itemized cash price of the home and any accessories or services, and whether basic features like the towbar and wheels are included in the price.
The dealer must also disclose any document preparation fees and make it clear that such fees are not government charges. There should be a notice explaining how to address complaints, including contact details for the relevant government department.
The buyer is warned not to sign any agreement with blank spaces and is entitled to complete copies of all documents and warranties. The dealer must provide information about the licensed contractor responsible for installation.
Failing to provide these details won't cancel the sale, but neglecting to include contractor information can lead to disciplinary action against the dealer. If the dealer is also a real estate broker, they can include home foundation installation details in a real estate contract if these rules are followed.
Section § 18035.4
This law states that certain regulations for selling manufactured homes or mobilehomes do not apply when the buyer is the federal government, the state of California, any state agency or political subdivision, or any city or county within the state.
Section § 18035.5
This law section focuses on the responsibilities of a 'secured party', like a legal owner or junior lienholder, when dealing with requests for information from an 'entitled party', such as a registered owner or someone with a financial stake in a mobile home or similar property. When an entitled party requests it, the secured party must provide a detailed written statement and documents about the financial status of the property, including information on debts, interest rates, insurance, and taxes. The secured party has a duty to deliver this information promptly, using reasonable proof of the requestor's entitlement.
The secured party can charge up to $50 for this service and must respond within 21 days of the request. If they fail to comply, they are liable for damages and a $300 penalty. The demand should be directed to the specific branch where payments are made. Each failure to provide the requested information can result in separate penalties.
Section § 18035.25
This law states that if a dealer does not fix or make sure defects are fixed in a manufactured or mobile home installation done by a licensed contractor they certified, it is a reason for disciplinary action, not a crime. If a complaint is filed against them for this, it must be done within three years of the issue.
Section § 18035.26
This law section mainly deals with the sale process of manufactured homes when a buyer plans to install them on a foundation. The sale is considered final when escrow closes, which happens after the buyer signs a "Declaration of Delivery Sale" agreeing to install the home or hire a contractor for it, ensures warranties and permits are in order, and acknowledges their responsibility for storage and protection of the home until installation. The warranty on the home will last one year after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or 120 days after escrow closure, whichever comes first.
The escrow agent must have a signed declaration before creating escrow instructions; otherwise, those instructions are invalid. Reports and documents regarding the sale must be filed with the department within ten days of escrow closing, and the home will be labeled as "pending installation" until all paperwork and fees are submitted and a certificate of occupancy is issued.
Name of Escrow Company: __________; Escrow Number: ______
Manufacturer’s Name: _____________; Serial Number: ______
Dealer’s Name: ___________________;
Address where purchaser will accept delivery: __________;
Address where purchaser intends to install home: ________
Purchaser’s Printed Name:_____ Purchaser’s Signature:_____ Date:____
Purchaser’s Printed Name:_____ Purchaser’s Signature:_____ Date:____
Section § 18036
If a person agrees to buy or take possession of a manufactured or mobile home and plans to get financing on their own (not through the seller), but can't secure that financing within 30 days, the purchase agreement is automatically canceled. Both sides must return anything of value exchanged, except for escrow fees, without anyone having to ask.
Section § 18036.5
This section is about the rules for disclosure when selling new or used manufactured homes or mobile homes. It aligns with the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA). If a sale involves a contract, it must include all disclosures required by TILA's Regulation Z. If those disclosures aren't made correctly, the seller has some options to fix the mistakes within 60 days. If not corrected, the seller may owe the buyer money, including damages and fees, but a seller is off the hook if the mistake was a genuine error they tried to prevent. In cases with multiple buyers, there can only be one payout for damages. Buyers have one year to file a suit for violations. Actions can't be taken if they conform with Federal Reserve rules, even if those rules change later. The law also limits how buyers can use the seller's mistakes to reduce what they owe.
Section § 18037
This law states that if you have a conditional sale contract that requires special 'Regulation Z' disclosures, the person or entity that inherits the contract takes on any issues or defenses the buyer may have against the original seller. However, this liability is capped at the amount still owed when the contract was transferred. The new holder can turn back to the original seller to recover any losses due to these buyer issues, unless a specific agreement says otherwise.
Section § 18037.5
This law explains the process for foreclosing on a manufactured home, mobilehome, truck camper, or floating home when there is a loan default. The secured party, like a lender or creditor, can only start foreclosure if they follow specific steps. First, they must send a notice of default to the registered owner by mail, explaining the default and how it can be resolved, giving at least 45 days to address the issue. They must also send this notice to any legal owner and junior lienholders. If the default is not resolved, the creditor can sell the property but must provide a notice of sale at least 10 days before any sale occurs. The law also details what happens with the sale proceeds, prioritizing sale expenses, then paying off the debt to the foreclosing creditor, followed by junior and senior liens. Any leftover money goes to the homeowner. Finally, the creditor must issue an accounting of the sale proceeds and distribution within 45 days after the sale, if requested within a year or automatically if there is a surplus.
45 days after mailing of the notice)
if the amount may increase due to passage of time, state that fact)
Safety Code concerning your manufactured home, mobilehome,
truck camper, or floating home located at
floating home as shown on current registration)
default, substitute name of defaulting person(s))
or caption and date)
to sell your manufactured home, mobilehome, truck camper, or
floating home which is registered with the Department of Housing
and Community Development under number(s)
personally or, if mailed, not less than 18 days after this notice is
deposited in the mail)
home will be deemed abandoned, which means that the foreclosing
creditor may sell your manufactured home, mobilehome, truck
camper, or floating home sooner than would otherwise be permitted by law. The written notice you must send to the foreclosing
creditor shall be sent to
mobilehome, truck camper, or floating home.
a summons in connection with any legal action which the
foreclosing creditor may appropriately initiate.
floating home as shown on current registration)
default, substitute name of defaulting person(s))
or caption and date)
personally or, if mailed, not less than 18 days after this
notice is deposited in the mail)
Section § 18038.7
If you buy a manufactured home, mobile home, commercial coach, truck camper, or floating home, and you fail to fully pay for it, the seller cannot make you pay more through a deficiency judgment if they sell the property. This rule only changes if there's significant damage to the home beyond normal wear and tear.
Moreover, if you take out a loan to buy a floating home that you live in (with up to four families), no deficiency judgment can be made against you if you can't pay back the loan that was used for the purchase.
Section § 18039
This law states that any contract made under this chapter can't have clauses that make a buyer give up their legal rights. If a contract does include such a waiver, it's considered against public policy and won't hold up in court.
Section § 18039.1
This law says that when a manufactured home or mobilehome is permanently attached to land, or when the loan for the home also covers the land it's on, the rules for dealing with loan defaults and selling the home follow the Civil Code's foreclosure procedures, rather than the usual rules for mobilehomes.
Section § 18039.5
This law section clarifies that most of the rules in this chapter do not apply to loans or credit sales secured by manufactured or mobile homes unless those deals need specific financial disclosures known as Regulation Z. Furthermore, the sale or financing of these homes, along with any related goods or services, is not governed by the Retail Installment Sales Act or the Automobile Sales Finance Act.