Stories from Delaware manufactured homeowners on leased land often feature the struggle with escalating lot rents, vulnerability to their landlords' decisions, and the difficulty of selling their homes, but recent legislation, like Senate Bill 56, aims to provide stronger legal protections and more clarity for residents in land-lease communities. This new law provides stronger protections for residents, aiming to protect heirs, simplify home sales, and clarify outdated land-lease laws.

 

Today's manufactured homeowners share experiences of feeling "held hostage" by rising rents, the potential for property owners to reject new buyers, and disputes over rent increases, while also enjoying amenities that would be more costly in traditional homes. 
 

Common Problems Faced by Homeowners on Leased Land

• Rising Lot Rents
  Many homeowners have seen their lot rents more than triple over the years, forcing them to prioritize rent over other expenses. 

• Vulnerability to Landowners
  Homeowners on leased land are at the "whims of absentee or abusive landlords," with situations such as landowners failing to pay bills or causing damage to homes. 

• Difficulty Selling
  Landlords have the right to reject potential buyers, which can make it hard for homeowners to sell their homes when they want to move. 

• Lack of Financial Security
  Homeowners can feel "held hostage" because moving their manufactured home is often not a viable option due to the cost and the specific nature of the homes, limiting their ability to escape rising costs. 

 

Benefits and Community Aspects

• Shared Amenities
  Many land-lease communities offer shared amenities like pools, clubhouses, gyms, and trash collection, services that can make the land rent comparable to the annual expenses of owning a traditional home. 

• Affordable Housing
  Manufactured homes provide a more affordable housing option than traditional single-family homes, though the "affordable" aspect of manufactured housing is a subject of differing interpretations by homeowners and landowners. 

 

Advocacy and Legal Protections

• Senate Bill 56
  This new law provides stronger protections for residents, aiming to protect heirs, simplify home sales, and clarify outdated land-lease laws.

• Delaware Manufactured Home Owners' Association (DMHOA)
  Homeowners can find support and resources from DMHOA to understand the law and advocate for their rights.

• Resident-Run HOA
  Joining or forming a resident-run homeowners association is encouraged as a way to address concerns and support other tenants.