HUD has jurisdiction over manufactured/mobile homes when they are built in the factory. It also has minimum standards for installation at the homesite. But, after the first homeowner has moved in, HUD is out of the picture. Local building codes and ordinances become the standards for any remodeling or renovation, and the same laws that govern any other real estate or personal property transaction apply to the sale of a manufactured home.

    If a home inspector like us is hired to evaluate the home for the purchaser, we will note any unsafe conditions that may have been created by the remodeling, such as lack of direct access (without any intermediate lockable doors) from the bedrooms to two separate exterior doors, and missing or unstable exterior stairs (like in the photo below). But the repairs that we recommend do not have the force of law, and do not need to be done in order for the sale to be completed, unless the buyer demands it within the inspection allowances section of the sale contract. 

    When the remodeled home will be moved to a new homesite, however, the local building department often will require that it be inspected to meet their standards before being moved into their jurisdiction. Each county in Florida has slightly different requirements for allowing a used mobile home into their territory, but they all have the same attitude: older mobile homes in poor condition are not welcome to cross the county line. 

    Go to our HUD-CODE FOR MOBILE HOMES page for a listing of our other HUD-code articles. Also, see our blog posts What do I need to know about buying a foreclosed mobile home? and Are older mobile homes unsafe?

Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES:

• Where can I file a complaint if I have problems with my new or used manufactured/mobile home in Florida?

• What are the most common defects in mobile/manufactured home foundation piers?

• How do I determine the age of a very old mobile home?

• What is a "HUD label verification letter" for a mobile/manufactured home?  

• When did a ground cover vapor barrier (plastic sheet) become required under a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Is it safe to go under a mobile home? 

• Are older mobile homes unsafe? 

• What do I need to know about buying a foreclosed mobile home? 

• Does it make sense to buy an older mobile home and remodel it? 

• Where do I find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a mobile home? 

• How do I find out how old a mobile home is and who manufactured it?

• What is the right price for a used mobile home?

• How energy efficient is a mobile home?

• When were the first double-wide mobile homes manufactured?

• How do I upgrade my old (pre-1976) mobile home to meet HUD standards?

• What size air conditioner is right for my mobile home? 

• Can you move an older mobile home in Florida? 

• What does the HUD tag look like and where do I find it on a mobile home? 

• Can you put a zone 1 mobile home in Florida?

• How can I remove water under my mobile home?

• What's the differences between a trailer, a mobile home, a manufactured home, and a modular home? 

• What is a D-sticker mobile home? 

• What are the tie-down requirements for a mobile home?

• How fireproof is a mobile home?  

• Can I install a mobile home myself?

• What is a Park Model mobile home?  

• Does an addition to a mobile home have to comply with the HUD Code? 

• What walls can I remove in a mobile home?

• What can I do to prevent dampness and mold in my mobile home? 

• How can I tell if a mobile home is well constructed?

• How can I tell the difference between a manufactured home and a modular home?

       Visit our MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES  page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.