Mobile/Manufactured Homes in Florida
Before you Buy a Mobile/Manufactured Home (Printable Brochure)
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a mobile home safe to live in?
All
mobile/manufactured homes must be constructed in accordance with
regulations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) which are entitled the
Manufactured Housing Construction
and Safety Standards.
These regulations were amended in 1994 to better ensure that mobile/manufactured
homes can withstand strong winds. In addition, all mobile/manufactured
homes must be installed in accordance with
Rule
Chapter 15C-1, Florida
Administrative Code (F.A.C.), which are among the most stringent
mobile/manufactured home installation standards in the United States.
All mobile/manufactured homes that are installed in Florida must
be installed by
a licensed mobile/manufactured home installer.
Investigations of damage to mobile homes from the 2004 and 2005
hurricanes found that no homes built subsequent to the new HUD construction
regulations
sustained any significant damage and all homes installed in accordance
with Rule 15C-1, F.A.C. tended to also fair well.
To ensure the safety of mobile/manufactured homes there are also
restrictions on where such homes may be set-up. No mobile/manufactured
home can be set-up in Florida unless it was built in accordance
with the standards
that apply
to the Wind Zone applicable to the county where
it is to be set-up.
What mobile/manufactured home manufacturers are licensed to sell their homes in Florida?
Florida licenses 52 mobile/manufactured home manufacturers
to do business in Florida, 14 of which are located in Florida. A
list of Florida licensed mobile/manufactured home manufacturers is available.
Does my new mobile home/manufactured home have
a one-year warranty?
Yes, Florida law requires new mobile/manufactured homes
to have a one-year warranty. However, some manufacturers offer warranties that are longer than one year.
Does the installation of my mobile/manufactured home
have a warranty?
Yes, all new and used homes are required to have an
installation warranty that extends one year from the date the certificate of occupancy was issued.
Do Florida dealer warranties apply to homes purchased
from an out-of-state dealer?
No, the state required dealer warranty applies only to
homes purchased from licensed Florida dealers.
If I purhase a used mobile/manufactured home from a
dealer, do I have any recourse if I have problems with it? Who do I contact?
The Division of Motor Vehicle's jurisdiction on used homes
is limited to the contractual obligations of the dealer's sales contract. Only the warranty or implied warranty on
the contract is enforceable. You may contact your local DMV office for assistance.
If I own my land, do I have to purchase a registration
for my mobile/manufactured home each year?
Mobile/manufactured homes located on your property may
qualify to be taxed as real property. If so, your local tax collector (tag office) will sell
you a permanent, one-time registration sticker for your home. If your home is located on leased property, however, it
must be registered every year.
Are set-up instructions and a homeowner's manual
included when you buy a home?
Yes, state and federal laws and codes require the
manufacturer to furnish complete printed instructions for the set-up and maintenance of each home they manufacture.
Instructions for the set-up of the home are very specific and must be closely followed for proper installation.
Following instructions for the maintenance of the home will extend the life of the home.
What should be considered when choosing a site
for my mobile/manufactured home?
The site must be prepared properly in accordance with
Florida Rule 15C-1, F.A.C.. The
site must be clear of debris and water should be directed away from the home's foundation.
Are local permits required for the set-up of
mobile/manufactured homes and park trailers?
Yes, set-up permits are required and can be applied
for at the local government building departments.
Does the State of Florida approve mobile/manufactured
home anchors and set-up products?
Yes,
all mobile/manufactured home installation components and products
must be certified by the Division of Motor Vehicles. They must undergo technically sound engineering testing that proves
they are compliant with the provisions of
Rule 15C-1, F.A.C.. The Bureau of Mobile
Home and Recreational Vehicle Construction maintains a
list of approved installation products.
Are all mobile/manufactured home dealers required
to have a mobile/manufactured home installer license?
No, only mobile/manufactured home dealers that
pull permits and/or set up homes they sell are required to have an installer license.
Are individuals and dealers that set-up
mobile/manufactured homes required to be licensed?
Yes, individuals and dealers who install
mobile/manufactured homes must be licensed as installers by the Bureau of Mobile Home
and Recreational Vehicle Construction. Installers are required to take a pre-license course and pass
a license examination. They also must have a $5,000 surety bond and $100,000 of liability insurance before
they can be licensed. Installer licenses must be renewed annually.
Can licensed mobile/manufactured home installers
do plumbing hook-ups?
Yes, connecting plumbing to the newly installed home is
part of the installation process.
Can licensed mobile/manufactured home installers
do electrical hook-ups?
No, installers can only install electrical crossovers
on multi-section homes. Any other electrical work on a home must be done by a licensed electrician.
If a mobile/manufactured home is displayed on a
temporary basis such as for marketing promotion, do they require a mobile/manufactured home installation decal?
No, installation decals are not required on homes temporarily
displayed.
Can a consumer set up their own mobile/manufactured
home or park trailer?
No, section 320.8249, Florida Statutes and Rule Chapter
Rule 15C-2, F.A.C., require
that only licensed mobile/manufactured home installers may set-up a mobile/manufactured home in Florida.
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