What must a Minnesota park give a buyer before they sign?

A written agreement and a plain-language notice of rights. Under Minn. Stat. §327C.02, subd. 1, 'every agreement to rent a lot must be a written agreement,' and 'a copy of the rental agreement shall be given to the applicant ... prior to signing it.' Under subd. 5, before being asked to sign, a prospective resident 'must be given' a boldface 'IMPORTANT NOTICE' summarizing their rights. This is general information, not advice about a specific purchase — consider consulting a licensed attorney in Minnesota.

Can a Minnesota park reject a buyer who wants to keep the home in the park?

Only on disclosed, reasonable criteria, decided in 14 days. Under §327C.07, subd. 2, the park must have 'specified in writing the procedures and criteria,' apply them 'uniformly,' use no 'stricter standards than ... for evaluating other prospective residents,' and decide 'within 14 days of receiving a completed application,' giving written reasons for any denial.

What deposit and fees can a Minnesota park charge a buyer?

A deposit of no more than two months' rent, and no entrance fee. Under §327C.03, subd. 4, a deposit may 'not ... exceed the amount of two months' rent,' and subd. 1 plus the §327C.02 notice confirm 'the park may not charge you an entrance fee.' The buyer-application processing fee is capped at $25 (§327C.07, subd. 1).

Buying a mobile home in Minnesota

Minnesota's Chapter 327C gives a buyer real protection and information: a written rental agreement, a mandatory plain-language notice of rights, disclosed and time-limited buyer approval, and capped deposits and fees. The information below describes how the law generally works; anyone buying should consider consulting a licensed attorney in Minnesota.

What the statute says

Minn. Stat. §327C.02, subd. 1 requires that "every agreement to rent a lot must be a written agreement signed by the park owner and the resident," delivered "to the applicant for the purpose of reviewing the agreement prior to signing it," and listing the lot, the rent, the services provided, the rules, any deposit, and any lienholder. Subd. 5 requires the park, "before being asked to sign," to give the prospective resident a boldface "IMPORTANT NOTICE" that summarizes the law — for example, "You may keep your home in the park as long as the park is in operation and you meet your financial obligations," "The park may not charge you an entrance fee," and "The park may require a security deposit, but the deposit must not amount to more than two months rent."

Buyer approval is governed by §327C.07, subd. 2: the park must have written, reasonable, uniformly applied criteria, use no stricter standard than for other prospective residents, and decide "within 14 days of receiving a completed application form," with written reasons for any denial. The deposit is capped at two months' rent (§327C.03, subd. 4), and the buyer-application processing fee is capped at $25 (§327C.07, subd. 1).

How it works in general

Before signing, a Minnesota buyer must get a written rental agreement to review and the statutory notice of rights, so the key terms and the legal protections are disclosed up front. To keep a home in the park, the buyer applies to be approved as a resident, and the park must judge them against disclosed, reasonable criteria applied the same way as for anyone else, with a decision due in 14 days and written reasons for a denial. The park can't charge an entrance fee, the deposit can't exceed two months' rent, and the processing fee is capped at $25. Reviewing the written agreement, the rules, the notice of rights, and the home's title (and any tax owed) are the key steps.

Common scenarios

General examples Minnesota buyers commonly encounter:

A buyer is asked to sign with no written agreement. A written, reviewable agreement is required (§327C.02, subd. 1).
A park delays a decision on the buyer. A decision (or written explanation) is due within 14 days (§327C.07, subd. 2).
A park asks for an entrance fee or a big deposit. Entrance fees are barred and the deposit is capped at two months' rent (§§327C.03, 327C.02).

Other authorities that may apply

Chapter 327C governs the written agreement, the notice of rights, buyer approval, and the deposit; the home's construction follows the federal HUD code and the Manufactured Home Building Code (Minn. Stat. §§327.31–327.34). Ownership transfers by the state certificate of title, which can't transfer until property taxes are paid (see the Minnesota title guide). Federal lending rules and the Fair Housing Act can apply, and Chapter 327C rights cannot be waived (§327C.02, subd. 4).