In some mobile home communities, landlords rent out small lots of land where people can place their mobile homes and where the landlords provide utilities like water and electric service. Other times, the landlord will also own and rent out the mobile home on the land.
If you are one of those individuals who own the buildings and not just the property, there may be certain situations where you need to enter the mobile homes while there is a tenant living in them. Do you have to ask the tenant for permission to enter the mobile home that you actually own?
Tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment of the property
When somebody pays rent to you and adheres to the terms of their lease, they have the right to use the property as they see fit, provided that they don’t violate the law or the lease. Having a landlord constantly come into their home could feel invasive and diminish their ability to live comfortably in thespace that they paid for.
As such, landlords typically mean to limit their efforts to access the unit to specific circumstances. For example, you could request access to show the unit to someone looking to buy the entire park or to rent that mobile home after they move out. You also have the right to enter the property to make an inspection requested by the tenants or to make repairs that are necessary.
In all of these situations, you must typically provide the tenant with 24-hour notice before attempting to gain access. Only in emergency situations, such as a medical or criminal event in progress or a drastic maintenance issue like a flood or fire, could you theoretically waive the obligation to provide notice and get permission to enter the property.
Landlords dealing with the complications of mobile home properties often need legal advice when making decisions about the maintenance of their investment properties.