Legal Steps to Sell Your Manufactured Home in West Virginia

Selling a manufactured home in West Virginia involves following specific legal steps, especially if your home is located in a rented mobile home park. This guide walks you through the process, highlights required forms, and explains your rights as a seller living in a rental situation under West Virginia law.

Key Steps to Selling a Manufactured Home in West Virginia

It's important to understand the state requirements to avoid complications during the sale. West Virginia law treats manufactured homes (also called mobile homes) as personal property unless permanently attached to land you own. If your home is in a mobile home park, you also need to consider park rules and tenant protections.

1. Notify the Park Owner or Management

You must notify your park's management in writing if you plan to sell your manufactured home and keep it within the park. Most parks have rules about new owners meeting community requirements. Always review your lease and park rules for any sale-related clauses.

• Check your lease for right-of-first-refusal clauses (park may want to buy before you sell to someone else).
• Ask the park manager about new tenant approval procedures.

2. Gather Required Documentation

To transfer ownership, you'll need:

• The Title to the Home (West Virginia issues titles for manufactured homes through the Division of Motor Vehicles)
• A completed Title Application (Form DMV-1-TR) if the buyer needs to register the home in their name. View and download the Title Application (DMV-1-TR).
• A Bill of Sale documenting the transaction (may be required by the DMV and for the buyer)

3. Complete Title Transfer at the DMV

Both seller and buyer should visit a West Virginia DMV office to transfer the title. This process makes the buyer the new legal owner. The DMV will require:

• Signed title (from seller)
• Bill of Sale
• Completed Title Application (Form DMV-1-TR)
• Payment of applicable taxes and fees

4. Handling Lot Lease and New Tenant Approval

If your manufactured home will stay in the same park, the new owner must apply as a tenant. The park cannot unreasonably deny tenancy to a qualified buyer, but they can require application and screening. For further details, consult your local county offices or West Virginia Bureau for Public Health (Manufactured Home Park Licensing).

Official Forms to Use

• Title Application (DMV-1-TR)
  When to use: The buyer files this with the DMV to register their ownership. For example, if you're selling your manufactured home to a friend, you'll sign the back of your title and provide them with this form, which they submit at the DMV. Download the official DMV-1-TR form.
• Bill of Sale
  When to use: Documents the transfer of ownership from seller to buyer and is often needed by the DMV as proof of sale. You can create your own or use a standard vehicle/motor home bill of sale form.

Important: Notifying Your Park in Writing

While not a state-mandated legal form, a written notice to your landlord or park management about your intent to sell is essential, particularly if your lease requires advance notification.

West Virginia Law on Manufactured Home Sales

The process of selling and owning a manufactured home in a rental park falls under the West Virginia Manufactured Home Park Residents' Rights Act. Your tenancy – and the ability for a buyer to rent your lot after purchase – is protected by law. For general tenant issues, refer to the West Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.[1][2]

Where to Turn with Disputes or Tenancy Issues

If you experience disagreements regarding lot rental after selling, you may contact your county magistrate court, which handles landlord-tenant matters. See the Magistrate Court Forms and Resources for more details. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources: Manufactured Home Park Licensing also oversees park operations and complaints.

FAQs: Selling a Manufactured Home in West Virginia

1. Do I need to own the land to sell my manufactured home?
   No, you can sell your home even if you rent the land, but be sure to follow park notification and tenant approval steps.
2. What official forms are required for the title transfer?
   You need the signed title, a Bill of Sale, and the Title Application (DMV-1-TR).
3. Can the park deny the buyer as a new tenant?
   The park can apply standard screening, but West Virginia law prevents unreasonable denial of tenancy to buyers meeting park standards.
4. What laws protect me during the sale in a mobile home park?
   The West Virginia Manufactured Home Park Residents' Rights Act and the West Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act provide protections for sellers and buyers.
5. Who handles disputes if there’s a problem during the sale?
   Magistrate courts in your county handle landlord-tenant disputes in West Virginia; contact them for assistance if needed.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways When Selling Your Manufactured Home

• Notify park management and review your lease before selling.
• Have all official documents ready—title, bill of sale, and DMV application.
• Your buyer must be approved by the park if the home stays in place, but denial must be reasonable and nondiscriminatory.

Planning ahead and following West Virginia’s requirements helps ensure a smooth home sale and protects your rights as a tenant and seller.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• West Virginia Manufactured Home Park Licensing (DHHR): For park-related issues and complaints.
• West Virginia Magistrate Court System: Handles landlord-tenant disputes and eviction cases.
• West Virginia DMV: For transferring manufactured home titles.
• Legal Aid of West Virginia: Free legal help for low-income renters (including manufactured home concerns).

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1. West Virginia Manufactured Home Park Residents' Rights Act
2. West Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
3. West Virginia Title Application Form DMV-1-TR

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