Do you want to buy a mobile home that belonged to someone who has passed away? Or do you want to transfer the ownership of a mobile home that belonged to a deceased relative? In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about mobile home title transfer after death.
For this, having the original title is a big advantage. In some states, a mobile home’s title is like that of vehicles — complete with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
What is a Mobile Home Title?
The mobile home title is the document that proves ownership of the property. It includes vital information such as:
- The name of the previous owner(s)
- The current owner(s)
- The manufacturers
- The lien holder(s) (if there is any)
- The vehicle identification number
- The size of the mobile home
- The color
- The year, make, and model of the home
You’ll typically need it, or an expert who can help recover it, if you want to do anything with the mobile home, such as move it, donate it, or sell it.
Mobile home titles are similar to vehicle titles in many ways. Each state may do things differently, but similarities exist. And here’s what you need to know about that:
What You Need to Know About Mobile Home Titles
Before you transfer ownership of mobile homes in any way, you should understand the mobile home titles to a certain extent. Some information to pay attention to with the title are:
1. Lien Holders
Lien holders have a claim on the mobile home in case of an unpaid mortgage. So, pay attention. If you’re buying a mobile home, review the title(s) to ensure you won’t inherit debt due to liens or be liable for additional taxes.
If the owner or seller hasn’t paid off the mortgage, may not have the title anyway. In some states, the lien holder has the right to hold on to the paper title until the debt is paid.
The owners should pay off any property taxes and mortgage liens before they sell or donate the mobile home. Lien holders usually provide a letter of lien release to the mortgagee so they can prove their lien is satisfied and transfer title to a new owner. In the absence of this lien release letter, officially transferring title is difficult or not possible in most states.
If you agree to take possession of a mobile home which has a current lien or a very old lien which is likely expired, be aware that the lien holder might take steps toward repossession of the home after filing the proper court documents; although this is not common except for very new mobile homes.
2. Each Home Section Has Its Title
Depending on your state, the titling is often done separately for each section of the home . As a result, a single-wide mobile home will have one title, whereas a double-wide often will have two titles. A triple-wide? You guessed right: three titles.
So, make sure you transfer the right number of titles of the mobile home to the new owner.
3. Different States, Different Rules
Every state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles the issuance and format of titles differently. The laws of some states differ from those of others in how they handle titles for mobile homes.
Case in point: Sometimes mobile home title application and transfer goes through the Department of Transportation rather than the Department of Motor Vehicles. Additionally Texas, for example, has a department specifically built to manage manufactured home titles: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Manufactured Homes Division (TDHCA).
In some states, you can transfer ownership of a mobile home without having to undergo any additional formalities, provided you have a valid title to it. The standard essentials are:
- Proof of identity
- Signed application for title/registration of mobile home
- MCO or previous title (if available)
- Lien information (if you have any)
- Casual sales/use tax
- Titling fee (because the procedure requires resources to process)
Manufactured home title applications may be subject to additional requirements in some states.
Use the keywords “[your state]” plus “mobile home title transfer and application” in a Google search to get results quickly. For example, “Florida mobile home title transfer and application”.
4. You Can Get a Duplicate Mobile Home Title
Without the original title, you’ll have trouble selling a mobile home in most states. Luckily, it’s often possible to get another copy.
For a duplicate title, call the DMV or DoT (whichever government department handles titling in your state). They will have a procedure to follow with very specific steps. Typically, if you can prove you own the manufactured home and pay a small fee, you’re good to go.
How to Transfer the Mobile Home Title?
Transfer of mobile home titles can be challenging if you’ve not been through it several times before. However, an expert should only require a few hours once all the required documents are available. It’s also worth noting that most government bureaucracies will find a missed checkbox or an undotted “i” on the first attempt and request a full resubmission. So be sure to review and re-review before submitting.
These are the standard steps:
1. Fill Out The ‘Transfer of Ownership/Title’ Form
You can find these forms on your state’s website and fill them out there. You can also pick up the form at your nearest titling agency.
You will need to include the name to be removed from the title. You must also include the title details of the property. Additionally, you’ll provide details of the transferred property share.
Remember: Different states, different rules. There might be more details your state wants, like confirming your identity. Make sure the information is accurate before moving on. Sometimes, there’s a fine if you want to change something you wrote later.
2. Submit the Form
Online, you simply click on the submit button, input your bank account details for any payment(s) necessary, and that’s it.
Most often you’ll visit your local transportation or motor vehicles department, submit the forms, submit documents, pay the fees required, and that’s it.
All departments will also accept mailed-in applications to transfer titles if you don’t feel like waiting in line!
Now the procedure begins. But you’ve completed your part — in just 2 steps.
How to Transfer Mobile Home Title After Owner’s Death
In this case, the documentation for the transfer of ownership has two sections:
- The portion that the previous owner has to fill, and
- The part where the new owner completes the information
If the previous owner is dead, a death certificate will be required as evidence, and the stand-in will need to confirm I.D. and relation. Of course, this is subject to state laws, regulations, and circumstances.
Where There is a Will…
Mobile homes may be left to a beneficiary in a will. Most states allow the executor or administrator of an estate to transfer ownership of a mobile home after probate is concluded. If the estate does not pass through probate, survivors or next of kin can transfer the title. In contrast, probate-free estates can provide new titles to beneficiaries.
No Will or Probate?
The surviving spouse can inherit an estate without a will and no probate. If there is no surviving spouse, the next of kin can own a mobile home. In either case, the relative must complete the form and provide a copy of the deceased’s death certificate.
Probate Without Wills
Courts appoint administrators to manage the assets of estates that go through probate without wills. In most states, the estate administrator is allowed to transfer ownership of the mobile home. Generally, a deceased person’s closest living relative will inherit the mobile home by state law.
Conclusion
The government prefers things to be properly documented and filed to avoid confusion. So, they issue fines to deter errors due to carelessness. But that’s just one reason to be careful. If things aren’t done right, it’s possible to lose the mobile home too.
If in the event of the mobile home’s owner passing away, and relatives don’t need it, they can donate it. If you’re a relative thinking of what to do with a mobile home that used to belong to a deceased loved one, you can make that a new home for someone in need. This emphasizes the importance of carefulness when conducting official business. Care to know what eliminates the necessity of the effort to be careful? Especially for a home you probably don’t need that much?
Donation
Donating your mobile home completely absolves you of the responsibility for the home (after the steps we’ve mentioned above are completed). We can help you do that easily, and even move it for free. Our non-profit connects mobile homes to homeless people who will appreciate it. You can call us to book an appointment and we’ll haul it off your land completely for free.