Senate Bill 232 and House Bill 572: More rights for residents of manufactured home parks
Identical bills from Senator Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond, and Delegae Karrie Delaney, D-Fairfax, would give residents of Virginia who live in mobile home parks additional rights related to rental agreements, late rent fees, and eviction.
Rental agreements
Both bills would allow renters in manufactured home parks to be able to stop the automatic renewal of their rental agreement by notifying their landlord 60 days before the agreement’s expiration date. Tenants would also be allowed to not renew a rental agreement if the landlord changes its terms if they notify the landlord within 30 days of receiving the notice of the change.
Late fees
Both bills also prohibit fees for late rent payments unless such fees are outlined in the rental agreement and cap them at 10% of rent or 10% of the balance the renter owes the landlord, depending on which is less.
Eviction
The legislation would also give manufactured home tenants the right of redemption, or the right to remain in their residence after being served with a court-ordered unlawful detainer for late or missing rent if they have paid what is owed.