Relative to notice required prior to sale of a manufactured housing unit located in a resident-owned community.
Summary
SB 166 creates a new disclosure requirement for the resale of a manufactured housing unit in a resident-owned community (ROC). Before a sale is completed, a prospective buyer must have the right to obtain key information from the ROC owners’ association, including bylaws, rules, fee schedules, financial statements, reserve information, planned capital expenditures, insurance coverage, pending litigation, and the status of assessments and unpaid common expenses. The bill also requires the association to provide these statements within 10 days of a written request from a prospective buyer.
The measure is aimed at improving transparency for buyers of manufactured homes in resident-owned communities, where the purchase of the unit is often tied to the financial and governance condition of the community association. It applies to resales by anyone other than the declarant and takes effect January 1, 2026. By adding RSA 205-A:32, the bill expands state law governing manufactured housing and ROC transactions by formalizing pre-sale disclosure rights and duties for association officers.
Impact
SB 166 amends RSA 205-A by adding a new subdivision on resident-owned community unit resale disclosures. It imposes a legal obligation on ROC owners’ associations to furnish specified documents and statements to prospective purchasers, and it gives buyers a statutory right to request that information before the contract date. The bill affects sellers of manufactured housing units in resident-owned communities, ROC associations, and their officers, while also creating a clearer disclosure framework for buyers evaluating fees, reserves, maintenance obligations, and community governance risks.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad, practical support based on its straightforward consumer-protection purpose and the absence of recorded opposition in the provided materials. Its focus on transparency, buyer awareness, and standardized disclosures suggests a generally favorable reception among lawmakers and stakeholders concerned with manufactured housing and resident-owned communities. No committee transcript or vote record was provided showing controversy or divided sentiment.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided record. Potential areas of debate, if raised, would likely involve the administrative burden on ROC associations, the scope of required disclosures, and whether the 10-day response period is sufficient. The bill’s supporters would likely emphasize buyer protection and informed decision-making, while any critics might focus on compliance costs or the risk of over-disclosure in private community transactions.