Mobile home rent and rent-to-own rights

From the Office of the Attorney General

Rights of tenants in mobile home parks

Laws protect people who live in a mobile home or manufactured home park. If you feel your rights have been violated call the Manufactured Homes Program at 1-800-432-4210.

Limits on Rent Increases

New York law limits how much a manufactured home park owner can increase your rent, including the lot rent and any fees or utilities.

• In most cases, rent increases are limited to 3%.  
• Park owners can raise the rent up to 6% if the increase is “justifiable.”
• If your park owner asks for a rent increase that is more than 3%, you can challenge the increase in court. The judge decides if the increase is justifiable.

Rent-to-Own Protections

• In a rent-to-own agreement with a manufactured home park owner, the contract must describe:
  • The terms of the contract.
  • All fees, rent, or other charges due during the life of the contract.
  • The fair market value of the manufactured home.
  • The responsibility of the manufactured home park owner to cover major repairs and improvements during the rental period.
  • Tenant rights.
  • A statement that you are occupying a rented home until the title to the property is transferred to you. While you are a renter, the park owner must:
    • keep your home in habitable condition;
    • make all major repairs and improvements; and
    • keep it safe and healthy. 
• Every year the park owner must give you a list of all payments that you made on the rent-to-own contract.
• If your lease is ended by the park owner, they have to pay back your rent-to-own payments and any lot and/or home rent