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CS/CS/SB 826 — Mobile Homes
by Fiscal Policy Committee; Community Affairs Committee; and Senator Latvala
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Regulated Industries Committee (RI)
The bill requires the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes (division) within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (department) to notify the complainant of the status of the investigation within 30 days and within 90 days after receipt of a written complaint. The bill also requires the division to notify the complainant and the party complained against of the results of the investigation and disposition of the complaint.
The bill permits mobile home park owners to pass on to the tenant, at any time during the term of the rental agreement, non-ad valorem assessments or increases of non-ad valorem assessments, if the passing on of this charge was disclosed prior to the tenancy. The bill requires the park owner to give the tenant notice of a rent increase 90 days before the renewal date of the rental agreement. If the 90-day notice is not provided, the rental amount will remain with the same terms until a 90-day notice of increase in lot rental amount is given.
The purchaser of a mobile home is permitted to cancel or rescind a contract if the tenancy has not been approved by the park owner 5 days before the closing of the purchase.
The bill clarifies that in order to exercise the rights of a homeowners’ association provided under ch. 723, F.S., mobile home owners must form an association. Additionally, upon incorporation of an association, all consenting mobile home owners in the park may become members or shareholders, and they consent to be bound by the articles of incorporation, bylaws, and policies of the incorporated homeowners’ association. All the successors of the consenting homeowner are no longer bound to the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, and restrictions of the homeowners’ association.
The bill provides that the joint owner of a mobile home or subdivision lot must be counted as one vote when determining the number of votes required for a majority and that only one vote may be counted per mobile home or subdivision lot. It permits association members to vote by secret ballot, including an absentee ballot.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2016.
Vote: Senate 34-0; House 116-0