When you purchase a manufactured home, you receive more than just a place to live; you also get peace of mind knowing that your home has been carefully built to specific standards and requirements.
All manufactured homes built in compliance with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are issued an 8.5″ x 11″ paper label known as a Compliance Certificate or Data Plate. This label contains important information regarding the structure of the home, including:
• The name and address of the home’s manufacturer.
• The model’s designated unit, serial number, and date of manufacture.
• References and maps identifying the home’s corresponding Wind Zone, Climate Zone, and Roof Load.
• Information regarding the attachment of accessory structures.
• Identification of home’s heating and cooling systems, as well as a list of major factory-installed appliances and equipment.
This data plate is typically found inside the provided kitchen cabinets, electrical panels, or bedroom closets of a manufactured home.
In the event that your data plate is lost or missing, you may be able to request a copy from the In-Plant Primary Inspection Agency (IPIA). The IPIA is a third-party agency which oversees the manufacturing process to ensure compliance with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction Standards. You can find a list of HUD-approved Inspection Agencies here. Additionally, the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a non-profit organization that provides building technical assistance and consulting services, may also be able to provide a replacement for missing data plates.
If you know the name of your home’s manufacturer, you may be able to receive a copy by contacting their offices as well.
In essence, the HUD Data Plate serves as your home’s blueprint, providing you with essential information about its construction, compliance, and capabilities. Understanding this plate empowers homeowners to make informed decisions regarding their dwelling’s maintenance, modification, and safety.
Overview:
• The data plate is a label containing important manufacture and structural information for a home.
• The data plate is typically located inside the kitchen cabinet, electrical panel, or bedroom closet of a home.
• Contact the IPIA, IBTS, or your home’s manufacturer to request a copy of your home’s data plate.
The community that I live in I will tell you not one home with this plate.This is not a property that abidesby the law.
Hi Michelle,
While that does raise some concerns, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The HUD plate standard went into effect on June 15, 1976. Most homes built prior will be unlikely to have a HUD plate. If your community largely consists of older manufactured homes, this might explain the widespread absence of HUD plates.
Over time, plates may be removed or lost. Removing these plates is not legal, and may be done without the park management’s knowledge. Be that as it may, park management is responsible for ensuring that the homes meet all local, state, and federal regulations. If HUD plates are missing, it could indicate potential non-compliance.
Therefore, you should bring this issue to the attention of your park management and ask for an explanation or resolution. If the park is unwilling or unable to explain the absence of HUD plates, you can reach out to your state’s housing authority or the local building department to report the issue.
We hope this information helps you navigate this situation. Please let us know if you have any other questions or need further assistance.
I moved this trailer on my brothers land I don’t know where the plate is at what do I need to do if it’s not there
Hi Robert.
The HUD plate is typically located inside your home, most often in a kitchen cabinet, bedroom closet, or near the electrical panel.
If it’s missing, you can request a replacement through aforementioned resources in this article, or by contacting the manufacturer of your home directly.