The state of California is home to a large real estate market that includes many types of lodging for California residents. Mobilehome communities deal with their own complex real estate issues, such as lease disagreements. If you are interested in renting or owning a mobilehome in California, it is important that you know the issues mobilehome tenants face and the different types of lease agreements that are available to you as a new mobile home tenant.
What Are the Different Types of Mobilehome Leases to Choose From?
There are two types of mobilehome lease agreements that are the most popular. The first type of lease agreement for mobile homes is when the new tenant owns only the mobilehome and is deciding to lease their specific park space. This type of mobilehome lease can sometimes cause difficult legal issues. This is because after a tenant gets comfortable and hooks up his or her utilities and builds patios, decks, or other improvements, the mobilehome can be argued as no longer mobile. Some landlords might take advantage of this by raising rent and levying additional charges, all based on the argument that you now are a homeowner.
The second type of mobilehome lease occurs when there’s an agreement to have the landlord own both the physical mobilehome and the land that it is placed on. This type of lease agreement is treated more like a rental apartment lease under California law. If you are a tenant that owns your entire mobilehome property, you should be aware that you have more responsibilities, such as consistent maintenance of the surrounding land and certain utilities.
What Should a Mobilehome Tenant Look Out For?
It is the responsibility of the managers of a mobilehome park to maintain common facilities in good working order and condition. If sudden or unforeseeable deterioration of common areas occurs, managers must act as soon as possible in situations affecting a health or safety condition and within no more than 30 days unless more pressing circumstances justify the delay.
Tenants of mobile home parks should keep an eye out for the deterioration of common spaces and notify management of deterioration promptly. Roadways, landscaping, clubhouses, laundry facilities, trash receptacles, water systems, sewage systems, and utility systems are examples of common items whose maintenance is typically the responsibility of mobilehome park managers.
The attorneys at Peters, Habib, McKenna, Juhl-Rhodes & Cardoza, LLP provide extensive real estate services to California citizens that need skilled legal representation. If you would like more information on mobilehome residency laws and real estate, or if you are involved in a lease dispute involving your mobilehome, contact us today.