Types of Manufactured/Mobile Home Resident Ownership

There are two types of communities typically found in Pinellas County , land lease communities and resident owned communities. In land lease communities, residents lease lots from the community owner. Lease rates vary based on the quality of the community, its location, amenities and services included in the rent. The services may include water, sewer, trash collection and cable television. Resident owned communities are typically organized in a condominium or cooperative ownership entity. Owners of condominiums do own their own units, and a share of all common facilities as well.

Information about resident owned communities in Pinellas County can be obtained from the ROC (Resident Owned Communities) Foundation at www.rocforum.com . You can also phone (727) 581-3867 for more information.

To assist residents of land lease communities that are being converted to resident ownership the Pinellas County Community Development Department offers interest free "Park Saver" loans to provide down payment assistance. Eligibility is based on income and locale and the property must be the primary residence of the purchaser. For more information call the department at (727) 464-8210. More information about mobile homes is available at

http://www.pinellascounty.org/community/MobileHomes.htm

Counseling and housing assistance services are also available through the Pinellas County Human Services Department. Please call (727) 464-8400 for more information

Residents of manufactured home communities should also know that they can apply for Housing Choice Rental Assistance Vouchers from their local housing authority if they meet low-income qualifications. These vouchers can be used towards their land lease or maintenance costs and to help them remain in their communities. For further information, please see the contact information listed on pages 9 and 10 for the housing authority in your area.

Mobile Home Park Conversions

Land development pressure throughout Pinellas County has led to the conversion of mobile home parks into other types of land uses. This trend is likely to increase and result in the displacement of park residents. The Florida Mobile Home Relocation Trust Fund was created for the purpose of funding the administration and operations of the Florida Mobile Home Relocation Corporation.  The purpose of this private corporation is to make payments to mobile home owners who are required to move due to a change in use of the land comprising their mobile home park.  These payments are designed to help offset the expense of the home owner's cost of relocating.  There are certain restrictions and payment caps imposed by the new law.

Florida Mobile Home Relocation Corporation
P.O. Box 14125
Tallahassee , Florida 32317-4125
1-888-862-7010
www.state.fl.us/dbpr

Manufactured/Mobile Home Regulations

Laws regulating mobile home/manufactured homes and their communities in Florida are found in Chapter 723 of the Florida Statutes and Chapter 7 of the Florida Administrative Code, Department of Business Regulation, Chapter 7D- 30 through 34. Additional useful information can be obtained from:

Permitting information for construction of or additions to residential structures, including manufactured housing, is given on the Pinellas County Building Department's web site http://www.pinellascounty.org/build/manufact.htm . This site also has a section on manufactured housing that includes the most commonly asked questions about this type of housing as well as information and illustrations on the proper set up of manufactured housing within a flood area.

Section III. Purchasing A Home