The Manufactured Housing Forums

Hello Readers
I recently purchased a mobile home from quality homes at the mobile home park in which i currently reside.
When i started too look for homes i had drove around writing down the address of homes we were interested in. We went too the office and inquired about them and were told they didnt have the titles and/or the inspections hadnt been done yet BUT they had four that were ready too show, including the home i now reside in.
Upon viewing the home, we asked about the previous owner and why he sold, and they said he was put into a senior citizens home (which is why tools and stuff was still in the shed and a cat litter box in the living room of the house) and we also asked about the inspection, and they said the inspection had been done by the city building inspector and the home passed and was sound. We were asked to leave a deposit and also a fee for a credit check, which we did both. We were called a few days later and asked to come in and fill out the paperwork to purchase the home. We did but were called back a few days later again stating the woman who originally filled out the paperwork was in training (the one who also sold me the home) and it had to be redone.
We moved in slowly, our lease where we previously lived was not up yet and the park knew this, and they also knew that I was a caregiver for someone disabled and terminally ill, and they could clearly see this by looking at the man with me.
The second morning that we were there we woke up to a very FOUL smell and it was that of feces, urine and a rotten musty rotten smell. It was coming from the bathroom, but we couldnt find out where in the bathroom.
I started uppacking some dishes in a cupboard and all of a sudden the cabinets going across the ceiling came OFF and disattached from the ceiling and are now being held up by a hydrolic jack. A few days later a knock at the door, i answered the door and a middle age man indicated he was the previous owner, we were in shock because he was suppose to be old and in a senior citizen home. He said what are u doing here? we said we purchased this home, he said why? and began too tell us that the home was unsafe and that he moved out and GAVE the home too the park because it had so many bad problems from structure, plumbing, windows, and electrical issues, and they were well aware of it. We didnt know what too do. The gas company came in and refused to turn on our gas because someone bent the copper tube and shoved it in the floor so it couldnt be seen, and it was pinched and bent, and the gas company said NO way. Has to be fixed. We went to the manager and he refused too look at it or even help us.
A few days later, a fire started. the home we found out has aluminum wiring its a 1970 mobile home. NO smoke detectors were in the home nor was a fire distinguisher.
I asked many times for the inspection report and they said they lost it and were waiting for the copy of it. Finally aftre all this was happening and a leak that ran from the kitchen into the living room and the ceiling in the bathroom caved in on me WHILE taking a shower and this black mold stuff and insulation was hanging out. I called the city and asked to speak to the building inspector and told him what i am telling you now, he came too the home right away and brought with him an electrican, and from there on i was terrified. He said the home had NEVER been inspected and should have been prior to being sold to us, the electrical is very outdated and a fire started because someone rigged aluminum with copper in an outlet, and the other outlets in home home are in bad shape, the foundation is bad, the plumbing is bad, the roof has leaks, they deemed the home unlivable.
The APPEARANCE of the home has curb side appeal, and they HID all the horrible problems. The inspector went and spoke too the manager and was polite and asked the inspector to ask me too come in and when i did, entirely diffrent story, he was rude, and accused me of tampering, which is an outright lie because it was never inspected and the inspector could tell the home was not right. He manager tried to offer me another home, when i pulled up to the home the theme from sanford and son song played in my mind and i said OH HECK NO WAY! the manager said to me w hat you want something for nothing? i said u lied to me, and what you did is fraud and breech of contract and you knew that home wasnt inspected and the previous owner gave you this home and you turned around and sold it too me knowing that we are sick and i am a caregiver to a man that is terminally ill and your trying to make ME feel bad? The previous owner said he specifically told them that this place was bad and he was told they wanted over 8 thousand dollars for repairs just for the electric, alone. This didnt include anything else.
I know laws very but in our state a home MUST be inspected by the building inspector to make sure the plumbing, structure, electrical are sound nothing in this home is.
What do i do? i didnt pay ALOT for the home but i've invested time, the move, money for stuff to try and updue the home, and not being able to use electricty /air because of a chance of another fire.
some say hire an attorney but i really dont want to go that route, i just want another mobile home but NOW i feel i should be able to pick out something that I WANT, not what THEY want me too have.....
suggestions/ again the inspector indicates his report states the home is not liveable and was never inspected, and an attorney as we all know will take a third or will charge me too do this, any way i can get around all this so i can get another home, and a home that i like and has been inspected? should i hold out/ what do WE DO/ WE ARE SCARED.
help! please! help!

What can any of us here say...From what you say we all know you are a grown experienced woman...You are old enough to know...struff NOT in writing is a waste time.. and probably not enforcable...To me YOU would be negligent to keep a handicapped elderly person in this home...You would be risking his life...I have never heard of a building inspector looking at a used home prior to the sale..You should have treated this home as any 37 year old home...YOU should have spent $300 or so on your own home inspector...That would not have solved the problems, but you would have known about them..Has the park produced title?

I think you will have to sell the home and buy another or reach for some money and make the home safe....If you want to do that you might want to stop by the bookstore here and buy the repair book there..

Well, evidently we agree, we disagree. The home had what is called curb side appeal, the problems were hid, and i don't know about the state YOU reside in but in my state before a mobile home, used or new, can be sold it MUST be inspected by a building inspector for the following: the electric, the structure, the plumbing, and the roof. We did obtain a title, but it was done illegally from what i'm now told, NOT by me, but by them. I found out just awhile ago, that its breech of contract, fraud, and a violation of the consumer credit act. The park NEW about the exsisting problems (we're told by previous owner, which i've spoken too and have a written statement in regard to it) and hid them, and the home's eye view is FINE, but its whats NOT exposed that is all wrong. Your implying I did something wrong, and i suppose I did when I believed that they followed the law and had the home inspected, and it was up to code and sound as they previously indicated was.
Perhaps before you post your opinions sir, perhaps you should verify if some states DO require a building inspection and the home MUST be up to code before it can be sold and before someone can take occupancy. It's for the sellers safety, and too make sure people aren't selling homes that are hazardous. A private seller did not sell me this house, a real estate located within the mobile home park, did.
I appreciate you taking the time to post, but i sure hope your not in this as a profession, because your knowledge is pretty limited, but thank you for reassuring me that people still talk out there arse! I thought i'd post this for you as well, "A building permit shall be issued by the Township Building Inspector before a manufactured home may be placed on a homesite in a mobile home park, and or is resold by the mobile home park".
Have a good day, sir.
Grandma

A building permit ( required in all states) does NOT involve inspections of the inside of the home..ONLY the set up, anchoring and utility connections which include sewer and electrical...This would have been done when the home was first put in the park...In every state has a license law for agent resellers. The state agency who issues the license will address the fraud, deceit, nondisclosure problems you allege ( all would be against the license law requirements). It would be easier if you had all of the above in writing...I am sure you do not that is why you have not gotten a local attorney..Also I am sure the agent had you sign a AS IS statement at closing (this statement will have some jargon that says they have made NO representations not in writing)

If you would post what state you are in..I could do some research about which agency might be able to help you...Looks to me like you have been doing a little Internet research. You might have been better off doing this before you bought..Had you come here before you bought, you would have been advised to get your own home inspection..

Personally I have little empathy with adults who should know better.

i'm sorry sir, but your wrong. A inspection MUST be done prior too sale for the electric, the plumbing, the roof, and the structure. You might be thinking of something else, but here, you MUST have an building inspector inspect the home, and this home was sold by the park manager. Again as i previously posted, states vary, zoning ordinances vary, but in the city/state i reside in, this MUST be done. Its for the safety of the consumer. Example: you cant install a hot water tank, or a furnace w/o a permit, if you do that and you get caught your going to be fined. If you want to place a deck or a shed, you must have a permit, and the same applies too selling a mobile home, it must be inspected BY the city building inspector to make sure the home is safe and UP TO CODE!
Today the home was tagged as unlivable and we must move. Whie the inspector was there we turned on a blow tryer and the plug sparked and fried the blow dryer. The home has aluminum wiring which is not safe.
In regard too inspection when a home is first put in the park, that is correct, but you fail to realize that states to vary in laws/as well as zoning in cities as well.
Good news is, because it's against the law to sell a home here without a inspection, a attorney has taken the case because what was done is fraud, and breech of contract. The home APPEARS nice, but it's whats not showing that is NOT good nor safe.
I was told there was an inspection and it was up too code and when they went to get me the inspection i was told it was in the mail coming from the inspector from the city. Which also was a lie.
I hope this has schooled you. Remember states and cities do vary in laws and regulations.
Thank you for your post, but i think i'll go with what the city inspector and a legal attorney has advised me on, considering they know the law and regulations.
Grandma

What is the purpose of permits?

Permits allow the enforcement of the codes which have been adopted as law by a state, county, township or city. No matter what. the specific project may be, the enforcement of codes is carried out :to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The unit of government which enforces the code is acting to assure safe construction.

What are permits used for?

Code officials and inspectors use building permits as a vital step in their enforcement of codes. You have an investment in the home or business you are about to build or remodel,or buy. When that home or business building does not comply with the codes, your investment could be reduced. Applying for a building permit notifies the Code Official that you are constructing or remodeling a building so he or she can ensure code compliance.

Why a building permit?

Building permits provide the means for Code Officials to protect us by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and therefore ensuring the public health, safety and welfare.

The building permit process helps us understand what our local laws and ordinances are. Before any construction or remodeling work begins, application for a permit should be made. Building permits provide the means for Code Officials to inspect construction to ensure that minimum standards are met and appropriate materials are used.

*AND in used mobile homes too make sure that older mobile homes for example are not wired with aluminum which is NOT used anymore because of the problems with it.*

Please note readers, when buying a mobile home weather in a park or on private property, that you should consult the state, city, and/or township too see if they
have rules, zoning ordinances, like our township/city DOES, that when you purchase a mobile home weather used or new in a mobile home park, that a building inspector has to be brought in to ensure that it's up to code, with the electric, plumbing, and structure.
After speaking with an attorney he said some states don't carry these rules, but ours does, and you have to check with the city building inspector, too see if an inspection by the city has too be done to validate that the electric is safe and up to code, the plumbing is up to date, and the structure is safe and up too code.
In my case, it was the parks responsability to have this done, and they knew it, but said they were waiting for a copy of it, but when further investigated, this home had never been inspected, AT ALL.
And in regard too what the previous poster said, about me being wrong to move someone in with a disability like that? even the inspector said, "how were you too know, it wasnt in EYES view, it was all neatly covered up!" and this is why it wasnt ever inspected, because the park knew it wouldnt pass inspection and the park would have to dish out the money to make it up too code.
Unlucky for me, but i hope someone can learn from my misfortune, but as we see it now, it will all be squared away, and will be taken care of, and not at my expense.
Thank you kindly for your time. Have a nice and safe day!
Grandma.

I guess the moral of the story is as an adult...Take responsibility for your own decisions and do not depend on others (government, sales folks) to take care of you...Do your research before you buy..

My comment about the disabled person was NOT directed to the original move...IT WAS DIRECTED TO YOU FOR THE TIME YOU WERE THERE AFTER YOU KNEW THE PROBLEMS..

You got your attorney now...Good Luck. Legal process takes forever, in the mean time be safe..

I owned and subsequently sold a mobile home in my prior state, and am now in the market for a home in my new state. I've found three nice parks in my city and am considering some half dozen homes (... a lovely 2001 Palm Harbor seems to be leading the race....). When I initially purchased my first home and now again when discussing any of these potential purchases, I've made it clear that any purchase will be contingent in writing upon a satisfactory inspection ORDERED BY AND PAID FOR BY ME. I will not leave it up to someone who wants to earn a commission on my hard earned money to fully represent the soundness of a home. The onus is on me to have an inspection done with the inspector accountable to me! While I do not believe any of the sales staff are out to mislead me, they are sales staff and represent the seller, not the buyer. It just makes sense!!

Good News.
Working with the city, attorney, and the real estate company that sold me the home, they bought back the home they sold me because they (the agency that sold the home) admitted somehow the inspection fell through the cracks, and i was offered 5 homes too look at, that HAVE been inspected by the city. The one i chose is a 1998, 3 bedroom, 1-1/2 bath, sitting against a wooded lot. Here, mobile homes have to be inspected by the *city* weather new or pre-owned, and note the homes in here are not all from tenants that lived HERE, they are brought in from the seven other mobile home parks that this park owns,(people couldnt afford the payments, or just didnt want them anymore) SO because it was brought in to a new location, even used, from another park, it still must be inspected being set up, and for structure, electric, plumbing, and roof, this home home was ONE of those, and it had never been inspected, not even when he previous owner had it, when it was placed here.
So it all worked out. I viewed the homes and the home i chose is nice, and they said they were sorry for the mishap.
They also got fined for not getting permits to install a hot water tank and a furnace.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Grandma.

The seller was a real estate company that had an office within the mobile home park.