§ 798.15. — 798.15. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 397, Sec. 1.)

California § 798.15.

• Jurisdiction: California
• Code CIV: Civil Code - CIV
• Div. 2.: DIVISION 2. PROPERTY
• Title: 2.
• Part 2.: TITLE 2. ESTATES IN REAL PROPERTY
• Ch. 2.5.: CHAPTER 2.5. Mobilehome Residency Law
• Art. 2.: ARTICLE 2. Rental Agreement

Text

The rental agreement shall be in writing and shall contain, in addition to the provisions otherwise required by law to be included, all of the following:
(a)
The term of the tenancy and the rent therefor.
(b)
The rules and regulations of the park.
(c)
A copy of the text of this chapter shall be provided as an exhibit and shall be incorporated into the rental agreement by reference. Management shall do one of the following prior to February 1 of each year, if a significant change was made in this chapter by legislation enacted in the prior year:
(1)
Provide all homeowners with a copy of this
chapter.
(2)
Provide written notice to all homeowners that there has been a change to this chapter and that they may obtain one copy of this chapter from management at no charge. Management shall provide a copy within a reasonable time, not to exceed seven days, upon request.
(d)
A provision specifying that (1) it is the responsibility of the management to provide and maintain physical improvements in the common facilities in good working order and condition and (2) with respect to a sudden or unforeseeable breakdown or deterioration of these improvements, the management shall have a reasonable period of time to repair the sudden or unforeseeable breakdown or deterioration and bring the improvements into good working order and condition after management knows or should have known of the breakdown or deterioration. For purposes of this subdivision, a reasonable period of time to
repair a sudden or unforeseeable breakdown or deterioration shall be as soon as possible in situations affecting a health or safety condition, and shall not exceed 30 days in any other case except where exigent circumstances justify a delay.
(e)
A description of the physical improvements to be provided the homeowner during the homeowner’s tenancy.
(f)
A provision listing those services which will be provided at the time the rental agreement is executed and will continue to be offered for the term of tenancy and the fees, if any, to be charged for those services.
(g)
A provision stating that management may charge a
reasonable fee for services relating to the maintenance of the land and premises upon which a mobilehome is situated in the event the homeowner fails to maintain the land or premises in accordance with the rules and regulations of the park after written notification to the homeowner and the failure of the homeowner to comply within 14 days. The written notice shall state the specific condition to be corrected and an estimate of the charges to be imposed by management if the services are performed by management or its agent.
(h)
All other provisions governing the tenancy.
(i)
A copy of the following notice. Management shall also, prior to February 1 of each year, provide a copy of the following notice to all homeowners:
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL MANUFACTURED HOME/MOBILEHOME OWNERS: CALIFORNIA LAW REQUIRES THAT YOU BE MADE
AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:
The Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL), found in Section 798 et seq. of the Civil Code, establishes the rights and responsibilities of homeowners and park management. The MRL is deemed a part of the terms of any park rental agreement or lease. This notice is intended to provide you with a general awareness of selected parts of the MRL and other important laws. It does not serve as a legal explanation or interpretation. For authoritative information, you must read and understand the laws. These laws change from time to time. In any year in which the law has changed, you may obtain one copy of the full text of the law from management at no charge. This notice is required by Civil Code Section 798.15(i) and the information provided may not be current.
Homeowners and park management have certain rights and responsibilities
under the MRL. These include, but are not limited to:
1.
Management must give a homeowner written notice of any increase in the rent at least 90 days before the date of the increase. (Civil Code Section 798.30)
2.
No rental or sales agreement may contain a provision by which a purchaser or a homeowner waives any of their rights under the MRL. (Civil Code Sections 798.19, 798.77)
3.
Management may not terminate or refuse to renew a homeowner’s tenancy except for one or more of the authorized reasons set forth in the MRL. (Civil Code Sections 798.55, 798.56) Homeowners must pay rent, utility charges, and reasonable incidental service charges in a timely manner. Failure to comply could be grounds for eviction from the park. (Civil Code Section 798.56)
4.
Homeowners, residents, and their guests must comply with the rental agreement or lease, including the reasonable rules and regulations of the park and all applicable local ordinances and state laws and regulations relating to mobilehomes. Failure to comply could be grounds for eviction from the park. (Civil Code Section 798.56)
5.
Homeowners have a right to peacefully assemble and freely communicate
with respect to mobilehome living and for social or educational purposes. Homeowners have a right to meet in the park, at reasonable hours and in a reasonable manner, for any lawful purpose. Homeowners may not be charged a cleaning deposit in order to use the park clubhouse for meetings of resident organizations or for other lawful purposes, such as to hear from political candidates, so long as a homeowner of the park is hosting the meeting and all park residents are allowed to attend. Homeowners may not be required to obtain liability insurance in order to use common facilities unless alcohol is served. (Civil Code Sections 798.50, 798.51)
6.
If a home complies with certain standards, the homeowner is entitled to sell it in place in the park. If you sell your home, you are required to provide a manufactured home and mobilehome transfer disclosure statement to the buyer prior to sale. (Civil Code Section 1102.6d) When a home
is sold, the owner is required to transfer the title to the buyer. The sale of the home is not complete until you receive the title from the seller. It is the responsibility of the buyer to also file paperwork with the Department of Housing and Community Development to register the home in the buyer’s name. (Civil Code Sections 798.70–798.74)
7.
Management has the right to enter the space upon which a mobilehome is situated for maintenance of utilities, trees, and driveways; for inspection and maintenance of the space in accordance with the rules and regulations of the park when the homeowner or resident fails to maintain the space; and for protection and maintenance of the mobilehome park at any reasonable time,
but not in a manner or at a time that would interfere with the resident’s quiet enjoyment of the resident’s home. (Civil Code Section 798.26)
8.
A homeowner may not make any improvements or alterations to the homeowner’s space or home without following the rules and regulations of the park and all applicable local ordinances and state laws and regulations, which may include obtaining a permit to construct, and, if required by park rules or the rental agreement, without prior written approval of management. Failure
to comply could be grounds for eviction from the park. (Civil Code Section 798.56)
9.
In California, mobilehome owners must pay annual property tax to the county tax collector or an annual fee in lieu of taxes to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). If you are unsure which to pay, contact HCD. Failure to pay taxes or in lieu fees can have serious consequences, including losing your home at a tax sale.
10.
For more information on registration, titling, and taxes, contact: the Department of Housing and Community Development at www.hcd.ca.gov (800) 952-8356; your County Tax Collector; or call your local county government.
11.
The Mobilehome Residency Law Protection Program (MRLPP), found in Section 18800 et seq. of the Health and Safety Code, protects and safeguards mobilehome homeowners and residents by affording them an additional avenue to enforce violations of the MRL. The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) administers the program by providing assistance in taking complaints and helping to resolve and coordinate the resolution of those complaints from homeowners and residents relating to the MRL. The HCD contracts with nonprofit legal service providers and refers complaints of alleged MRL violations to these legal service providers. The HCD may not arbitrate, mediate, negotiate, or provide legal advice in connection with mobilehome park rent disputes, lease or rental agreements, or disputes arising from lease or rental agreements, but
may provide information on these issues to the complaining party, management, or other responsible party. The MRLPP is funded by an annual registration fee of $10.00 for each permitted mobilehome lot, collected from management, which management may pass on and collect from the homeowner at the time of rent payment. The annual MRLPP registration fee must appear as a separate line item on the rent bill and be accompanied by a clear written description of the purposes of the charge, along with contact information for the HCD. For questions regarding the fee or the MRLPP, contact: the HCD at MHAssistance@hcd.ca.gov or by calling (800) 952-8356.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 397, Sec. 1. (AB 2399) Effective January 1, 2025.