Opportunity to purchase quick reference
Resident opportunity-to-purchase and right-of-first-refusal laws — how notice of a mobile home park sale works, who qualifies, the timelines, and how to act fast.
Published June 4, 2026
A quick reference to opportunity-to-purchase and right-of-first-refusal laws that let mobile home community residents buy the park when the owner sells. This is general information, not legal advice, and the authors are not lawyers — these laws and timelines are state-specific, so consider a licensed attorney and a nonprofit like ROC USA early.
At a glance
| Topic | What generally applies |
|---|---|
| Where it exists | Only some states grant residents notice and a chance to buy. |
| Trigger | The owner's decision to sell (or an accepted offer) usually starts the clock. |
| Notice | Residents — and sometimes a state agency — get written notice of the sale. |
| Who acts | Often an association or cooperative of residents, not individuals. |
| Timelines | Windows to respond and to make an offer vary widely and can be short. |
| Right of first refusal vs. opportunity | Some states let residents match an offer; others only require a chance to negotiate. |
| Financing | Nonprofits and lenders (e.g., ROC USA) help residents structure a purchase. |
How to use this
This sheet summarizes the concept; it does not tell you what your state requires or how to bid. If a sale notice arrives, move quickly — read your state's law and get help from an attorney and a resident-ownership nonprofit.
Where to read more
Download the printable PDF
Enter your email to get the one-page PDF you can save or print. One email field, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a resident opportunity to purchase a mobile home park?
- In some states, when a park owner decides to sell, the law gives residents notice and a chance — sometimes a right of first refusal — to buy the community, usually within a set window and often through an association or cooperative. Whether this exists, and the timeline, depends on your state. This is general, educational information, not legal advice.
- How fast do mobile home park residents have to act on a sale notice?
- Timelines vary widely by state — from a few weeks to a few months — and may require forming an entity and presenting a qualifying offer. Because the windows are short and the steps are specific, residents often involve a nonprofit like ROC USA and a licensed attorney early. This is general information, not legal advice.