Manufactured Homeowner’s Manual
If you have ever purchased a site-built home, you probably did not receive a warranty or a homeowner’s manual at the time of your purchase. However, if you have purchased a new manufactured home since 1977, you should’ve received both from the manufacturer of your home — one of the many advantages of manufactured homes compared to site built homes.
HUD requires home manufacturers to provide a consumer manual with each mobile home built on, or after, June 30th, 1977. While there is no precise format for the manual, its purpose is to assure that home purchasers are given information concerning proper home maintenance, potential safety hazards, and remedies available under the National Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974.
The information in the Homeowners Manual must be presented in a clear and understandable manner and with an index to enable homeowners to readily locate any information provided in the home package.
The manual must cover the following topics: an explanation of the Act, the federal home construction and safety standards, and the remedies available to the consumer. Also it must state the location of the data plate, explain the significance of the information printed on it, list the approved or conditionally approved state administrative agencies, and indicate any questions concerning the Act, or consumer’s rights as directed by the local, or Washington, D.C., HUD office.
Also the manual must state whether or not a written warranty covering the home is provided, describe its terms, conditions, and exclusions, recommend procedures for setting up and anchoring, explanations and cautions about fire, wind and systems safety factors, proper maintenance, relocation, professional assistance recommendations, and advice for acquiring adequate insurance from an insurance company of choice.
The Homeowner’s Manual is only one of the strict requirements mandated by the HUD Code. Every aspect with regard to the manufacturing and installation of manufactured housing is regulated by this Congressional legislation. A manufactured homes is the only form of housing in the United States that is subject to a Federal code. As a result, manufactured homes are built to be equal or superior and provides more protection to the homeowner than conventional site built housing.
*Note: The HUD CODE regulation does not require a warranty on a manufactured home, only a disclosure in the Homeowner’s Manual if a warranty is included. However, all manufacturers (to my knowledge) provide a one year warranty to cover defects in material and workmanship with every home they produce.
(Photo credit to Palm Harbor Homes)
