Mobile home storm rules in Texas

Texas addresses storm and disaster safety through the warranty of suitability and maintenance duties in Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 94, the federal HUD construction code, TDHCA installation oversight, and a 180-day change-of-use notice. The information below describes how the law generally works; anyone dealing with a specific situation should consider consulting a licensed attorney in Texas.

What the statute says

Under Tex. Prop. Code §94.151, "the landlord warrants that the manufactured home lot is suitable for the installation of a manufactured home during the term of the lease agreement," and §94.152 requires the landlord to comply with applicable codes, maintain common areas and roads, and "repair or remedy conditions on the premises that materially affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant." The home's construction and anchoring follow the federal HUD code (24 C.F.R. Part 3280), with installation overseen by TDHCA under the Manufactured Housing Standards Act (Occupations Code Ch. 1201). If a change in land use forces residents out, §94.204 requires at least 180 days' written notice to the tenant, the home's owner, and any lienholder, plus a posted notice. Texas has no statute requiring a park to provide a storm shelter.

How it works in general

For the home itself, Texas relies on the federal HUD code's wind-zone construction and anchoring standards, with TDHCA overseeing installation — important in a state with significant hurricane, tornado, and severe-storm risk. For the lot and premises, the landlord warrants the lot is suitable for the home and has to repair conditions that materially affect a resident's health or safety, plus maintain the roads and common areas, which matters most when a storm strains the community. Texas doesn't require a community to provide a storm shelter, so disaster preparation and assistance run through state and federal emergency management. If a storm pushes a community toward a change of land use, residents get a long 180 days' notice.

Common scenarios

General examples Texas park residents commonly encounter:

• Questions arise about how a home is anchored. The federal HUD code governs, with TDHCA installation oversight (24 C.F.R. Part 3280; Occ. Code Ch. 1201).
• A storm leaves a health or safety hazard on the premises. The landlord must repair or remedy it (§94.152(7)).
• A disaster pushes a community toward closure. A change of land use requires 180 days' notice (§94.204).

Other authorities that may apply

The Manufactured Home Tenancies chapter (Tex. Prop. Code §§94.151, 94.152, 94.204) sets the warranty of suitability, maintenance, and change-of-use notice; TDHCA oversees installation and anchoring; and the federal HUD code governs home construction. The Texas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA administer disaster assistance, and a homeowner's insurance policy — not statute — usually governs storm-damage claims.