Definitions

Accessory Structure – Any awning, cabana, ramada, storage cabinet, carport, skirting, heater, cooler, fence, windbreak, porch, or other equipment established for the use of a manufactured home occupant.

Dealer – A person who sells, exchanges, leases, buys, offers for sale, or negotiates a sale of manufactured homes. In exchange for his or her efforts, the person receives a commission, brokerage fees, profits, management fees, or other funds from either the seller or buyer. The person may or may not own the manufactured homes offered for sale.

Enforcement Agency – The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) or a local government that has been delegated responsibility by HCD for enforcement of parts of the California Health and Safety Code related to manufactured homes and manufactured home parks.

Home Owner – A person who owns a manufactured home and has leased a space in a manufactured home park.

HUD Code – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s standards for new manufactured homes, known as the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. The HUD code regulates manufactured home design and construction, strength and durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency, and quality. It also sets performance standards for heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and thermal and electrical systems. It is the only national building code.

Lease – An oral or written contract for the use, possession, and occupation of property including a park space.

Legal Owner – A person holding a security interest in a manufactured home.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG or LPGas) – Any material composed predominantly of propane, propylene butanes (normal butane or isobutene) and butylenes.

Management – The owner of a manufactured home park or an agent or representative authorized to act on his or her behalf.

Manufactured Home – Homes built after June 15, 1976 in factory conditions using materials and methods that meet the HUD Code. The home is designed to be used as a single-family dwelling when connected to required utilities.

Manufacturer – Any person or company who fabricates homes or who permanently alters homes for purposes of retail sales or lease.

Master Meter – Parks receive services from utility providers and the quantity of service is measured at a single meter for the entire park. Parks deliver utility service to homeowners and charge uniform, average rates.

Mobilehome and Mobile Home – A structure, built prior to June 15, 1976, that is transportable in one or more sections. The structure is built on a permanent chassis and is designed to be used as a single-family dwelling. The structure complies with California construction standards in effect at the time of its fabrication.

Park – An area of land that has physical improvements and where two or more sites are rented to accommodate manufactured homes.

Pet – Any domesticated bird, cat, dog, aquatic animal kept within an aquarium, or other animal identified in park rules or in a separate agreement between park management and a home owner.

Rental Agreement – An agreement between park management and a home owner establishing the terms and conditions of a park tenancy.

Resident – A home owner or other person who lawfully occupies a manufactured home located in a park.

Resident-Owned Park – A manufactured home park in which park residents own at least a fifty percent interest of the entire park real estate or the common areas and facilities.

Tenancy – The right of a home owner to use a space within a park. The home owner may place and occupy a manufactured home on the space. Home owners also may make site improvements and add accessory structures. Tenancy includes park services and use of park facilities.

Warranty – An agreement from the home manufacturer, dealer, appliance maker, or contractor the guarantees repair or replacement of any materials, equipment, or installations that fail during a specified period.

Copyright - Carl Eric Leivo, Ph.D.