The Manufactured Housing Forums

I have been fortunate enough to be the recipient of a free older (80's I think) mobile home. That has also posed a problem though for lack of documentation. The current owner can't find the title - the home was included with the purchase of some acreage. She doesn't know any of the serial numbers or the year or any info on the home. Anyone out there have some clues as how to obtain this info. Seems some info will be needed to apply for a lost title. With it being free - all of this research is landing in my lap. Another question as well : I know nothing about these things and am overwhelmed - don't know where to start with the process - can anyone break it down with who I need to contact first for permits etc... to move and place it on a new piece of land? I am in Oregon - do I get all the permits in one place through building codes division or do I need additional for county dmv etc... any info would be greatly appreciated - thanks !!!

Hello Anna -

Titles for manufactured homes, much like autos and boats, are issued by each state, and each state has its own system. In your state Effective May 1, 2005, responsibility for maintaining ownership and siting information for manufactured structures transferred from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to the Building Codes Division (BCD). Homeowners no longer contact DMV if they buy, move, or otherwise change the status of a manufactured home. Instead, most transactions now take place at the local county assessor’s office.

Check the BCD web site at http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/bcd/

When your home left the factory it had a data plate that included the date of manufacture, name and address of the manufacturing plant, manufacturer's serial number and model. The data plate is an 8 1/2 x 11 inch white paper that was attached inside your home, with one or more maps of the United States on it. The Data Plate is usually glued inside the master bedroom closet or on the inside of the door of the main electrical panel or check the laundry room door, inside the kitchen cabinets or on the backside of a cabinet door.

The best thing you can do is to take bids from professional MH movers to relocate the home for you. In most states the moving contractor handles all the permitting and inspections with the various state or local building authorities. When the contractors come out to see the home ask them if they can help you find the serial numbers.

During the 80's most builders stamped the serial number into the front steel cross-member, this is the front "bumper" that the hitch is welded or bolted too.

thank you so much for your help