Mobile home titles in New Mexico

New Mexico titles a manufactured home through the Motor Vehicle Division and lets an owner convert it to real property by deactivating the title once it is affixed to owned land. The information below describes how the law generally works; anyone with a specific title or tax question should consider consulting a licensed attorney in New Mexico.

What the statute says

A manufactured home is titled by the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division under the state's motor-vehicle title law (NMSA 1978 Chapter 66), and ownership transfers through the certificate of title. Installation, anchoring, and dealer/installer licensing are administered by the Manufactured Housing Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department under the Manufactured Housing Act (NMSA 1978 Chapter 60, Article 14). When a home is permanently affixed to land the owner owns, the certificate of title can be deactivated so the home is treated as part of the real estate. Property taxation is administered under NMSA 1978 Chapter 7, Article 36, with a home on a rented space generally assessed as personal property and an affixed, title-deactivated home assessed as part of the real property.

How it works in general

A New Mexico manufactured home starts as titled personal property: the owner holds a Motor Vehicle Division certificate of title, and a sale transfers that title. While the home sits on a rented park space it stays titled personal property and is assessed by the county accordingly. When the owner permanently affixes the home to land they own, the certificate of title can be deactivated — coordinated with the Manufactured Housing Division and the county — after which the home is treated as real property and conveyed with the land. The certificate of title, the deactivation records, and the county assessment are the key documents.

Common scenarios

General examples New Mexico residents commonly encounter:

• A home is sold on a rented space. It transfers by its Motor Vehicle Division certificate of title and is assessed as personal property.
• An owner affixes the home to land they own. Deactivating the title lets the home be treated as real property.
• A buyer checks ownership. Confirm a clean certificate of title and any liens before closing.

Other authorities that may apply

The motor-vehicle title law (NMSA 1978 Chapter 66) and the Manufactured Housing Act (NMSA 1978 Chapter 60, Article 14) govern titling and installation, administered by the Motor Vehicle Division and the Manufactured Housing Division; property taxation runs through NMSA 1978 Chapter 7, Article 36 and the county. The home is built to the federal HUD code, and the certificate of title, deactivation records, and any financing documents also control.