Q: Is the mobilehome owner or the park owner responsible for correcting pre-existing code violations on the space?
A: The mobilehome owner is responsible. (Civil Code 798.36) Although the park operator is ultimately responsible for assuring that all citations on park property are corrected, the law does not require the park operator to pay for code violations involving the home or space except in rare instances. The homeowner is primarily responsible for correcting any violations concerning the home or space on which he/she resides, including any pre-existing code violations after the sale of the home. This is one of the reasons that real estate disclosure was enacted in 2000 for mobilehome resales, although conditions not known to the seller cannot be disclosed. (Civil Code §1102.6d)
Recap:
- The homeowner is responsible for correcting any code violations in or on their home, space and accessory structures, including pre-existing code violations.
Source: California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD)
