An Act to amend and reenact §§ 55.1-1301 and 55.1-1303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act; landlord obligations.
HB1325 amends the Virginia Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act to expand and clarify landlord duties in manufactured home parks. The bill requires a written rental agreement before tenancy begins, mandates that landlords provide tenants a copy of the agreement and a copy or plain-language summary of the chapter within seven days, and prohibits lease terms that conflict with the Act or bar a tenant from selling a manufactured home. It also limits recurring charges to fixed rent, utility charges, and reasonable incidental service charges, and requires landlords to post the chapter in the park.
The bill adds a required flood-insurance disclosure in bold type in the rental agreement, explaining that lot rent does not include homeowner’s insurance and that separate flood insurance may be needed, especially in special flood hazard areas. It also allows landlords to assist with translation of that notice without incurring liability for translation errors or charging a fee. In addition, the bill requires disclosure of any secured interest in the manufactured home and related dealer information, and obligates tenants to report changes in security interests within 10 days.
HB1325 directly amends §§ 55.1-1301 and 55.1-1303 of the Code of Virginia, strengthening statutory requirements for manufactured home park rental agreements and landlord operations. It increases disclosure obligations, adds consumer-protection language regarding flood risk and insurance, and reinforces limits on lease provisions and charges. The bill also clarifies landlord maintenance duties, including compliance with health, zoning, and safety laws; upkeep of habitable conditions and common areas; maintenance of utilities and facilities; waste removal; and advance written notice of planned utility disruptions.
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded vote breakdown, so there is no detailed evidence of debate or opposition in the provided materials. Based on the enacted text, the bill appears to reflect a generally consumer-protective approach toward manufactured home tenants, with an emphasis on transparency, habitability, and notice. Its approval as chapter law suggests it received sufficient support to pass without any documented controversy in the supplied record.
The main potential points of contention are the added compliance burdens on landlords, particularly the mandatory disclosures, posting requirements, and notice obligations tied to rental agreements and utility interruptions. Landlords may also view the flood-insurance warning and translation-related provisions as additional administrative responsibilities, even though the bill limits liability for translation assistance. On the tenant side, the bill is favorable because it preserves the ability to sell a manufactured home, restricts recurring charges, and improves information about flood risk and park conditions.