What must a Maryland park disclose to a buyer before move-in?

A lot of detail. Under Md. Code, Real Property §8A-201, before a resident signs or occupies, the park must give written notice of 'the availability, capacity, and connection fee of all utility services' at the site, a copy of the rules, and a rental agreement stating the site, a term 'of at least 1 year,' the annual rent and payment terms, any late fee, and 'all park fees, in a manner that identifies the service to be provided for each park fee.' This is general information, not advice about a specific purchase — consider consulting a licensed attorney in Maryland.

What is the security deposit limit in a Maryland mobile home park?

Two months' rent (or $50, whichever is greater). Under §8A-1001(a), 'a park owner may not impose a security deposit in excess of the equivalent of 2 months' rent, or $50, whichever is greater,' and an excess entitles the resident to recover up to threefold the overcharge plus attorney's fees. The deposit must be returned within 45 days of the tenancy's end, with interest, less any damages rightfully withheld.

Can a Maryland park reject a buyer who wants to stay in the park?

Not unreasonably. A buyer who keeps the home in the park applies to become a resident, and under §8A-202(g) a park owner 'may not unreasonably deny' such an application. There is also no entrance fee — §8A-402(a) provides that 'an entrance or exit fee is prohibited.'

Buying a mobile home in Maryland

Maryland's Mobile Homes law, Real Property Article Title 8A, gives a buyer substantial information and protection: a written one-year lease, full disclosure before move-in, a capped security deposit, and no entrance fee. The information below describes how the law generally works; anyone buying should consider consulting a licensed attorney in Maryland.

What the statute says

Md. Code, Real Property §8A-201 front-loads disclosure. Before a resident "signs a rental agreement or occupies the premises," the park must give written notice of "the availability, capacity, and connection fee of all utility services" at the site, deliver a copy of the rules, and deliver a rental agreement that identifies the site, states a "term of tenancy of at least 1 year," the "total amount of annual rental," the payment schedule, "the amount of any late payment fee," and "all park fees, in a manner that identifies the service to be provided for each park fee," plus "a specific reference to this title as the law that governs."

Section 8A-202 guarantees the one-year lease offer and provides that, for a resident who acquires a home and applies to rent the site, the park "may not unreasonably deny" the application. The deposit is capped by §8A-1001(a): "a park owner may not impose a security deposit in excess of the equivalent of 2 months' rent, or $50, whichever is greater," and a deposit must be returned "within 45 days after the end of the tenancy" with interest, less damages rightfully withheld. And §8A-402(a) provides that "an entrance or exit fee is prohibited."

How it works in general

Before a buyer commits, the park must put the key facts in writing: what utilities are available and what they cost to connect, the rules, and a one-year rental agreement spelling out rent, late fees, and every park fee tied to its service. The buyer who intends to keep the home in the park applies to become a resident, and the park cannot unreasonably refuse. The security deposit is capped at two months' rent and must be held in a Maryland account and returned within 45 days with interest. There is no entrance fee. Ownership of the home itself transfers through the MVA title (see the Maryland title guide).

Common scenarios

General examples Maryland buyers commonly encounter:

A buyer asks what they are getting. The park must disclose utilities, rules, rent, late fees, and all park fees in the one-year rental agreement before move-in (§8A-201).
A park demands a large deposit. It cannot exceed two months' rent, and an overcharge is recoverable up to threefold (§8A-1001).
A buyer is told there's a "move-in" charge. Entrance fees are prohibited (§8A-402(a)).

Other authorities that may apply

Title 8A governs the disclosures, the one-year lease, the deposit, and the entrance-fee ban; the manufacturer, dealer, and installer of a HUD-code home are subject to the federal HUD construction and safety standards. Ownership transfers through the MVA certificate of title (see the Maryland title guide), and federal lending rules and the Fair Housing Act can apply. The written rental agreement, bill of sale, and disclosures are the core documents to review.