Abandonment
When a resident leaves a home or lot without notice or intent to return; state law sets how a community may treat an abandoned home.
Published May 31, 2026
Abandonment refers to a resident leaving a home or lot behind without notice or any intent to return. It raises a specific set of legal questions in manufactured housing, because an abandoned home is valuable property that may still be subject to a lien and that sits on someone else's lot.
State law generally sets out how a community may treat an apparently abandoned home — what notice must be given, how long the community must wait, and what steps are required before the home can be removed, stored, sold, or disposed of. These procedures exist to protect the owner's and any lienholder's interests, so they tend to be specific and time-bound.
Because the consequences are significant and the rules vary by state, abandonment is a situation where the state's statute and the lot rental agreement both matter. This is general information, not legal advice.