Buying a mobile home in Kansas

Buying a manufactured home in a Kansas community comes with statutory disclosures and buyer protections. The Mobile Home Parks Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (K.S.A. 58-25,100 et seq.) requires the park to disclose who owns and manages it and to explain utility rates, and limits how a park can screen a buyer. For a specific purchase, consider consulting a licensed attorney in Kansas.

What the statute says

On disclosure, K.S.A. 58-25,109(a) requires the landlord to "disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name and address of" the park's manager and the owner (or the owner's agent for service of process). Subsection (e) requires "a written explanation of utility rates, charges and services to the prospective tenant before the rental agreement is signed." On buyer approval, §58-25,114(c)(3) lets a park "reserve the right to approve the purchaser of such mobile home as a tenant but such permission may not be unreasonably withheld."

How it works in general

Before signing, a prospective resident is entitled to written disclosure of the park's manager and owner and a written explanation of utility rates and services. A park may screen the buyer as a tenant but cannot unreasonably withhold approval. The resulting tenancy is month-to-month unless the written agreement says otherwise. A park in which five or more homes are harbored must also include, in the agreement, a notice that the tenant has rights under the act (§58-25,105(f)).

Common scenarios

General examples Kansas buyers commonly encounter:

• A buyer's tenant application is rejected. Approval under §58-25,114(c)(3) cannot be unreasonably withheld.
• A buyer wants the park's terms in writing. Section 58-25,109 requires disclosure of the owner/manager and utility rates before signing.
• A buyer asks about the lease length. Section 58-25,105(d) makes it month-to-month unless otherwise specified.

Other authorities that may apply

Title transfer and lien perfection run through the Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Vehicles, and converting a home to real property follows K.S.A. 58-4214. Federal lending rules and the Fair Housing Act can apply, and the written rental and sale documents are the core papers to review.