Question:
“The park manager wants me to correct several code violations, inside and outside my home, before the state comes to inspect the park. I don’t have time to fix all of them. Do I need to correct them all, even if the inspectors don’t come into my house?”
-Alyssa F. (45), resident, Bowling Green, KY
Answer:
Generally, park managers or landlords have the authority to enforce code violations and require residents to correct them within a reasonable timeframe.
When the Department of Housing (HUD) schedules an inspection of a mobile home park, this usually concerns the park’s common facilities (lighting, roads, clubhouses, utilities) as well as the exteriors of individual home sites and accessory structures. It is true that HUD inspectors typically do not enter an individual home unless requested by the resident.
Park managers may urge residents to correct code violations prior to an inspection, as residents otherwise may face citations from the HUD. A citation will specify the actions required to rectify the violations and may include a deadline for compliance. If a resident fails to address these violations within the specified timeframe, the HUD may impose penalties, such as hefty fines, recurring inspections, and other enforcement actions such as withholding rental assistance or pursuing legal action.
Ultimately, park managers seek to avoid these citations on the behalf of individual residents as well as the community as a whole. It is almost always in your best interest to correct as many potential code violations as reasonable within a given timeframe to avoid penalties imposed by the park and the state.
Overview:
- Park managers can enforce code violation corrections prior to an inspection by the HUD.
- Residents risk citations and penalties from both the park and the HUD if these violations are not corrected.
