Press Releases

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced legislation alongside U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and John Fetterman (D-PA) that would provide tenants and owners of manufactured (mobile) homes with enhanced protections against predatory landowners in federally backed Manufactured Housing Communities (MHC).

“Growing up, my family experienced housing insecurity firsthand, as we struggled to find safe, affordable places to live,” said Pettersen.“Manufactured housing can be a critical part of the solution to our affordable housing crisis, but only if residents are protected. Too often, outside investors buy up these communities and displace families by hiking rents and cutting services. With the Manufactured Housing Tenant’s Bill of Rights, we’re fighting to ensure hardworking families have basic protections against unfair treatment, rising costs, and the threat of eviction.”

“Our country is experiencing a persistent housing shortage, and in some areas manufactured housing is the only affordable option,” said Bonamici. “People who own or rent manufactured homes should have the same tenant protections as any other homeowner or renter. The Manufactured Housing Tenant’s Bill of Rights will help end predatory practices in the manufactured housing industry and give residents more power to advocate for their rights and their communities.”

“Manufactured housing is often one of the most affordable options for families, but all too often residents face rent hikes and evictions due to predatory practices,” said Shaheen. “By ensuring mobile home tenants have the same legal protections as homeowners and other renters, the Manufactured Housing Tenant’s Bill of Rights is a critical part of our work to preserve affordable housing in the Granite State.”

“Struggling with rising rents, exploitative evictions, and predatory practices, mobile homeowners deserve strong, enforceable rights to protect them and their homes,” said Blumenthal. “The Manufactured Housing Tenant’s Bill of Rights Act equips residents of manufactured housing communities with protections and tools to combat unfair treatment threatening their homes and hard-earned savings. With this legislation, we bolster safeguards for mobile homeowners and assure security to tenants who own their homes but not the underlying land,” 

“Having a safe place to call home should not be some luxury—it should be a basic right,” said Fetterman. “This bill protects families in manufactured housing communities from skyrocketing rents, surprise evictions, and shady tactics that put profits over people. It gives people a fair shot at stability and dignity. I’m proud to cosponsor this bill so more communities in Pennsylvania and across the country can rest easier, knowing their homes—and their rights—are secure.”

For the full text of the bill, click here.

Currently, more than 3 million Americans live in MHCs, which often represent one of the few naturally occurring sources of affordable housing. However, because residents typically own the home itself, but not the land it sits on, they often struggle with unexpected cost increases and face a heightened risk of evictions. Outside investors have often purchased MHCs and pushed residents out, raising rents as much as 70%. Because of the unusual ownership structure, manufactured housing residents can fall through the cracks, where residents often lack the protections of either homeowners or other renters.

The Manufactured Housing Tenant’s Bill of Rights would establish a set of minimum standards for tenants in MHCs that receive federal financing through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Federal Housing Administration. These protections include:

• The right to a one-year renewable lease absent good cause for nonrenewal
• A 5-day grace period for late rent payments
• A minimum 60-day written notice of rent increases or new added charges like water or sewer of up to 5% of the prior rent, with longer notice for larger rent increases (an additional 30 days required for each 2.5% rent increase above 5%)
• Rights for the tenant to: 
  • Sell the manufactured home without having to relocate it
  • Sublet the home or assign the lease to a buyer of the home provided the buyer meets the MHC’s rules and regulations
  • Post “for sale” signs on the home
  • Sell the manufactured home in place within 45 days after eviction to prevent the homeowner from losing their equity
  • Receive at least 60 days advance notice of the MHC’s planned sale or closure, giving tenants the opportunity to purchase the community in the event of a sale. 

The bill also requires public disclosure of MHCs that receive federal backing to ensure residents are aware of their rights. FHFA would also be required to create a standard lease agreement which allows Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to finally begin purchasing manufactured home leases through their single-family mortgage programs, which could significantly lower interest rates. 

This legislation is also cosponsored by Representatives John B. Larson (CT-01) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).

The legislation is endorsed by the National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), National Housing Law Project, National Manufactured Home Owners Association, Housing Assistance Council, ROC USA, and New Hampshire Community Loan Fund.