Mobile homes: title; process for mobile home abandonment; provide for. Amends 1987 PA 96 (MCL 125.2301 - 125.2350) by adding sec. 30j. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4887'23, HB 4888'23, HB 4889'23
The proposed changes could have substantial implications for both mobile home park owners and tenants. By allowing park owners to officially declare a mobile home abandoned after just 30 days of vacancy or unpaid rent, it could lead to a faster resolution of abandoned properties. For park owners, this law would provide a clearer pathway to claim title for these homes, potentially easing the burden of upkeep on unoccupied units. However, this may also prompt concerns from tenants regarding their rights and the process by which abandonment is determined, which could lead to disputes.
House Bill 4886 amends the Mobile Home Commission Act, allowing park owners to declare a mobile home as abandoned under certain conditions. Specifically, it enables owners to act on a good-faith belief that the mobile home owner has abandoned their property, based on reasonable evidence such as overdue rent or disconnection of utilities. This marks a significant shift in the authority given to mobile home park owners in managing unoccupied homes, reflecting an effort to streamline the abandonment process.
Notable points of contention around HB4886 include the potential for misuse of the abandonment declaration process. Critics may argue that defining 'abandonment' with relatively lenient criteria could lead to wrongful claims against tenants who may be temporarily unable to pay rent or facing personal hardships. Additionally, the requirement for park owners to notify mobile home owners and lienholders raises questions about the adequacy of protections for affected parties, ensuring they have sufficient notice and opportunity to respond before their homes are declared abandoned.