What must a Virginia park give a new resident?

A signed written rental agreement, a copy of the law, and a statement of tenant rights. Under Va. Code §55.1-1301, the parties 'shall sign and date a written rental agreement,' and the landlord must give the tenant 'a copy of the signed and dated written rental agreement and a copy of this chapter ... within seven days.' Under §55.1-1303(6), the landlord must also provide the Department of Housing and Community Development's 'statement of tenant rights and responsibilities,' and can't pursue a lease-violation action until it has done so. This is general information, not advice about a specific purchase — consider consulting a licensed attorney in Virginia.

Can a Virginia park make me buy the home or my goods from it?

Generally no. Under Va. Code §55.1-1306(C), 'a manufactured home owner shall not be restricted in his choice of vendors from whom he may purchase his manufactured home ... or goods and services' (with a narrow exception for the initial leasing of a brand-new lot). The park may set reasonable requirements on the style, size, or quality of the home as a condition of occupancy.

Buying a mobile home in Virginia

Q: Does a Virginia park have to offer a long-term lease to a buyer?

Yes. Under Va. Code §55.1-1302(A), the landlord 'shall offer all current and prospective year-round residents a rental agreement with a rental period of not less than one year' on the same terms as a shorter lease.

Virginia's Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act (Va. Code Title 55.1, Chapter 13) gives a buyer a signed written agreement, a statement of rights, a one-year-lease offer, and freedom to choose where to buy. The information below describes how the law generally works; anyone buying should consider consulting a licensed attorney in Virginia.

What the statute says

Under Va. Code §55.1-1301, "all parties shall sign and date a written rental agreement," and the landlord must give the tenant "a copy of the signed and dated written rental agreement and a copy of this chapter ... within seven days." Section 55.1-1303(6) requires the landlord to provide the "statement of tenant rights and responsibilities" developed by the Department of Housing and Community Development, and provides that "the landlord shall not file or maintain an action ... against the tenant ... for any alleged lease violation until he has provided the tenant with the statement."

Section 55.1-1302(A) requires the landlord to "offer all current and prospective year-round residents a rental agreement with a rental period of not less than one year." And §55.1-1306(C) protects vendor choice: "a manufactured home owner shall not be restricted in his choice of vendors from whom he may purchase his (i) manufactured home ... or (ii) goods and services," though the park "may prescribe reasonable requirements governing ... the style, size, or quality of the manufactured home."

How it works in general

A Virginia buyer who plans to keep a home in the park is entitled to a signed written rental agreement, a copy of the Act, and the state's statement of tenant rights and responsibilities — and the park can't even pursue a lease-violation case until it has handed over that statement. The park must offer a lease of at least one year. The buyer is generally free to buy the home and any goods or services from the vendor of their choice, though the park can set reasonable standards for the home's style, size, or quality. The home is built to the federal HUD standards and titled through the DMV, so the buyer takes ownership by transferring the certificate of title. Reviewing the rental agreement, the statement of rights, the deposit terms, and the title are the key steps before closing.

Common scenarios

General examples Virginia buyers commonly encounter:

A buyer wants the rules up front. The park must provide the signed agreement, a copy of the Act, and the statement of tenant rights within the required time (§§55.1-1301, 55.1-1303).
A park tries to force the buyer to use its dealer or vendors. Vendor choice is protected (§55.1-1306(C)).
A buyer wants a real lease. The park must offer at least a one-year term (§55.1-1302(A)).

Other authorities that may apply

The Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act (§§55.1-1301, 55.1-1302, 55.1-1303, 55.1-1306) governs the agreement, disclosures, and vendor choice; the home is DMV-titled (Title 46.2) and HUD-built. Federal lending rules and the Fair Housing Act can apply. The rental agreement, the statement of tenant rights, and the certificate of title are the core documents to review.