How Oregon Residents Can Convert Mobile Home Parks to Resident Ownership

Oregon renters who live in mobile home parks often seek long-term stability and control over rent and living conditions. One unique option in Oregon is the chance for residents to collectively purchase the park and own it themselves. This article explains the conversion process, the rights protected by Oregon law, official forms you might need, and where to get further help.

Understanding Resident Ownership in Mobile Home Parks

In Oregon, resident ownership means the people who rent spaces in a manufactured housing park can organize, make an offer, and—if the park is being sold—potentially purchase it together, often as a cooperative or non-profit. This process is guided by Oregon’s strong protections for manufactured housing community (MHC) residents.

Your Legal Protections When a Park is for Sale

Oregon law (ORS 90.842-90.850) requires park owners to notify residents if they intend to sell the park. This gives renters the chance to organize and make an offer before the park is sold to someone else. Here are key protections:

• Advance Written Notice: The park owner must provide at least 10 days' advance written notice before advertising the sale or entering any agreement to sell.
• Opportunity to Purchase: Residents, through a designated organization or homeowners’ association, have 45 days to form a resident group and indicate interest after receiving notice.
• Fair Access: Park owners must negotiate in good faith and provide basic financial and operational information to the residents' group.

This system empowers residents to stabilize rents, improve park upkeep, and increase their sense of security.

Key Steps: Converting Your Park to Resident Ownership

Here’s a summary of the main steps involved if your mobile home park is up for sale:

• Owner notifies residents and designated statewide organizations about intent to sell.
• Residents organize as an association or entity, like a cooperative or nonprofit.
• Submit a written letter of interest within 45 days.
• Negotiate the terms of a possible sale with the owner, with up to 135 days from the notice to match a qualified buyer’s offer.
• Pursue financing—state programs like Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) may provide technical and financial support.

Residents who successfully convert their communities often enjoy more predictable rents and better long-term housing security.

Official Forms and Requests Involved

If you are organizing to buy your park, you’ll likely use the following official forms and notices:

• Notice of Intent to Purchase (no official standardized form number): Used by resident groups to formally tell the owner they are interested in purchasing the park. This should be delivered in writing within 45 days of the owner's sale notice.
  • When to use: For example, if your park owner announces they plan to sell, your resident association submits this notice to keep your community’s options open.
  • Find resources and templates from OHCS
• Request for Disclosure Documents: Residents can request key documents about the park’s operations, finances, and maintenance.
  • When to use: When preparing your offer, use this request to get the information you need to propose a fair price.
  • More info at OHCS Resource Center

Important:

These forms and notices are typically prepared by a resident association or purchasing co-op, and legal or technical help is highly recommended.

Where to Get Legal Help and Resolve Disputes

The principal body for landlord-tenant issues is the Oregon courts’ Small Claims Division, but most mobile home park conversion processes are supported by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and sometimes reviewed by circuit courts if legal action arises.

Oregon’s residency and conversion protections appear in the Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, ORS Chapter 90, especially ORS 90.842–90.850.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do if my mobile home park owner wants to sell the park?
   Gather your neighbors, form a resident association, and submit a written intent to purchase within 45 days of being notified. Contact Oregon Housing and Community Services for support and templates.
2. Can a single resident buy the park, or must it be a group effort?
   Resident ownership is designed for groups—a homeowners’ association, cooperative, or nonprofit made up of park renters.
3. What if the owner refuses to sell to residents?
   Owners must negotiate in good faith under Oregon law, but are not required to accept any offer. If you believe the process wasn’t followed, contact OHCS or consult legal aid.
4. Is this process available for all manufactured home parks in Oregon?
   Yes, as long as the park has more than four units and is being offered for sale, these protections apply.
5. Where can I find the full laws on mobile home park conversion?
   Read the Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ORS Chapter 90) sections 90.842–90.850 for details.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Oregon Housing and Community Services Manufactured Communities Resource Center: Offers support, sample forms, and technical help for resident purchases
• Oregon Legal Aid Services: Free legal assistance for eligible renters
• Oregon Courts Small Claims and Landlord/Tenant Information
• Read the full Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
• For urgent complaints, contact: OHCS MCRC at 1-800-453-5511, option 6

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1. ORS 90.842-90.850: Manufactured Dwelling Park Sale to Tenants
2. Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ORS Chapter 90)
3. Oregon Housing and Community Services - Manufactured Communities Resource Center
4. Oregon State Courts – Landlord/Tenant Information

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