About the Manufactured Home Park Program

New York State has approximately 81,716 manufactured home households in nearly 2,057 manufactured home parks. They comprise a vulnerable community that often encounters difficulties due to the fact that the majority of manufactured home households are both homeowners and tenants. The uniqueness of this type of tenancy combined with the high cost of moving the units and, in certain areas of New York State, the scarce number of parks with vacancies, makes tenants' rights of the utmost concern to the manufactured home park tenants.

The Manufactured Home Tenants' "Bill of Rights" was enacted in 1974 and, based upon an amendment in 1988, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal was authorized to enforce the major provisions of Section 233 of the Real Property Law. Under the 1988 amendment, the Commissioner of Housing may make applications to courts to restrain violations by park owners and seek the imposition of penalties, allowances and restitution.

In order to efficiently respond to manufactured home park residents, DHCR has a 24-hour telephone hotline. DHCR's enforcement and compliance relies upon the evaluation of each complaint by Division professionals and where appropriate, referral to mediation centers across the state for prompt resolution. If mediation is not appropriate, DHCR staff will attempt to conciliate the complaint or, if necessary, seek a remedy from the courts.

Section 233 has been amended to require that manufactured home park owners offer all tenants who are in good standing the right to an annual renewable lease offer. Eligible tenants must receive the appropriate rent reduction or refund for the School Tax Relief (STAR) Program and the Senior Citizen and Veteran Real Property Tax Exemption Programs. Manufactured home park tenants also have the right to display "for sale" signs on their homes. These amendments allow residents the benefit of a stable tenancy and enhance their ability to sell their homes.

In addition to the compliance feature, the law requires manufactured home park owners with parks containing three or more manufactured homes occupied for year round living to file an annual registration statement.

For more information on the Manufactured Homes Program, call the Hotline.