Legal Steps to Sell a Manufactured Home in North Dakota

Selling a manufactured home in North Dakota involves unique steps and legal requirements—especially if your home is located in a mobile home park or on leased land. Understanding your rights, your responsibilities, and the official process will help protect you and ensure a smooth transition. This guide explains what renters and residents should know when preparing to sell a manufactured home in North Dakota, covering official agencies, necessary forms, and key legal protections.

Key Legal Requirements Before You Sell

Before listing your manufactured home for sale, be sure to review the following:

• Confirm ownership: You must have proper title documentation for your manufactured home.
• Check state and park rules: There may be park-specific rules or lease restrictions about selling or moving your home.
• Understand your lease: If your home sits on rented land in a mobile home park, your obligations to the property owner continue until the sale is complete.
• Review North Dakota law: The North Dakota Century Code Chapter 47-16 – Landlord and Tenant covers many aspects of mobile/manufactured home leases.^[1]

Notifying the Mobile Home Park Owner

If you are selling a manufactured home located in a mobile home park, you must give written notice to the park owner before transferring ownership. North Dakota law (N.D.C.C. § 47-16-39.1) requires "reasonable" notice. Check your lease for any additional notice provisions.

• Notice helps ensure the new owner can become an approved occupant of the park, if required.
• Failure to notify could make the sale void or complicate lot rental for the buyer.

Manufactured Home Sale: Required Paperwork

Proper paperwork is critical for a legal sale. In North Dakota, manufactured homes are titled with the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT)—much like vehicles. To sell your home, you generally need:

• Certificate of Title: You must transfer the title to the new owner. Sign on the “Assignment of Title” section.
• Bill of Sale: This document confirms the transaction details for both parties’ records. You can use the NDDOT Bill of Sale (Form SFN 2886).^[2]
• Tax Release (if applicable): Some counties may require proof that all property taxes are paid. Check with your local county treasurer.

Once you have these documents ready, the new owner will visit the NDDOT to transfer title. Both the seller and buyer may need to be present.

Form Details and How to Use Them

• Bill of Sale (NDDOT Form SFN 2886): Download the form from the NDDOT site. Complete it with the buyer. For example, if you’re moving out of a mobile park but selling the home where it sits to a new resident, fill in the sale price, home description, and both your signatures.
  Official source: NDDOT Forms Library

What to Expect with Your Security Deposit

If you’ve paid a security deposit for your manufactured home lot, North Dakota law requires property owners to return it (minus allowed deductions) after your tenancy ends and you move the home or transfer ownership. The owner has 30 days to provide the refund or an itemized deduction list.^[1]

Can the Park Owner Prevent a Home Sale?

Park owners usually cannot block the sale of your mobile/manufactured home, but they can require the buyer to meet park residency qualifications. This includes background checks or credit checks per the park rules. The owner may also inspect the home for code or safety violations before approving the new resident.

• If your manufactured home needs repairs to meet health or safety codes, address these before the sale.
• Always ask for written park policies about home resales and buyer approval processes.

Dispute Resolution and Official Agencies

If you encounter problems during this process—for example, refusal to return your deposit, disagreements over notice periods, or park owner interference—you can contact the:

• North Dakota Attorney General's Residential Renters Division – Handles complaints and inquiries.
• County small claims court for monetary disputes under $15,000.

The primary government body for residential tenancies in North Dakota is the North Dakota Attorney General’s Consumer Protection & Antitrust Division. Learn more about your rights under the Landlord and Tenant Act (NDCC Chapter 47-16).^[1]

FAQ: Manufactured Home Sales for Renters in North Dakota

1. Do I have to inform the mobile home park owner before selling my home?
   Yes, you must provide reasonable written notice to the park owner before the sale, especially if your home is staying in the park.
2. Which North Dakota form do I use to document the sale?
   You use the NDDOT Bill of Sale (Form SFN 2886) when selling your manufactured home.
3. What happens to my lot lease if I sell my home?
   Typically, your lease obligations end once you transfer title and move out, but check the lease for any remaining responsibilities or required notice periods.
4. Can the park refuse to approve the buyer?
   The park owner cannot block your home sale outright, but they can screen the buyer under park rules. If the buyer is denied residency, you may have to find another purchaser.

Key Takeaways for Renters Selling a Manufactured Home

• Always notify the park owner in writing before selling your manufactured home on rented land.
• Use official North Dakota forms for the title transfer and bill of sale—this is essential for a legal transaction.
• Understand your responsibilities regarding lease terms, deposits, and park requirements.

Following these steps makes your sale smoother, protects your rights, and helps avoid future disputes.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• North Dakota Attorney General's Residential Renters Division – Information and complaint forms for tenant/landlord issues
• North Dakota Department of Transportation – Titles & Registration – Official manufactured home title and forms
• Landlord and Tenant Statutes – ND Century Code Chapter 47-16

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1. North Dakota Century Code Chapter 47-16 – Landlord and Tenant Law
2. NDDOT Bill of Sale (Form SFN 2886) – North Dakota Department of Transportation

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