The bill amends existing laws related to mobile home tenancies, focusing on enhancing tenant protections and clarifying landlord responsibilities. Key changes include prohibiting initial rental agreements shorter than twenty-four months, requiring landlords to provide a mailing address for termination actions, and extending the notice period for nonpayment of rent from three days to thirty days. Additionally, landlords are restricted from unreasonably limiting the sale of mobile homes and from increasing rent during land use change notice periods. The bill mandates landlords to disclose information about land use change hearings and revises civil remedies, allowing tenants to recover increased amounts while imposing civil penalties on landlords who violate the Mobile Home Park Act.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that tenancies can only be terminated for defined reasons, such as tenant noncompliance with local ordinances or causing substantial annoyance to other tenants. It requires landlords to notify tenants of any condemnation proceedings and to provide a twelve-month notice before changing the use of the mobile home park. The legislation also enhances the process for writs of restitution, ensuring tenants are adequately informed and given time to prepare for potential eviction. Additionally, it introduces provisions for alternative dispute resolution in civil disputes between mobile home park management and residents, with shared costs and court presentation of agreements. Notably, the previous provision allowing either party to terminate the dispute resolution process without prejudice has been removed, and landlords are now liable for double the total monthly rent for violations, with the Attorney General empowered to investigate and seek civil penalties.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 47-10-3, 47-10-4, 47-10-5, 47-10-6, 47-10-9, 47-10-17, 47-10-23