The proper term for a mobile home is manufactured home. Terms like a trailer,
trailer park, and even mobile home are no longer politically correct,
but the public has been slow to adopt the proper term, “manufactured
home.”
Technically speaking, “mobile homes” refers to homes built
before 1976, and “manufactured homes” refers to homes built
after 1976. Very few mobile homes still exist.
Why Was the Term Mobile Home Replaced with Manufactured Home in 1976?
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) introduced the
term, “manufactured home,” with a new law in 1976. HUD Code
included regulations for manufactured homes, which means the new homes
were safer and had to meet higher quality standards. Further, most manufactured
homes were not designed to be moved.
Not only was the term, “mobile home,” inaccurate and out-of-date,
but the HUD wanted to rebrand this type of housing and start eliminating
the stigma surrounding manufactured housing communities (previously known
as mobile home parks or even trailer parks).
While most people realize that calling a manufactured home a trailer or
calling a manufactured housing community a trailer park is derogatory,
many people still refer to these homes as mobile homes and these communities
as mobile home parks.
Even
California Law (the Mobilehome Residency Law or
MRL) still refers to manufactured homes as mobile homes.
Can I Still Call Manufactured Homes Mobile Homes?
Yes. Many
manufactured home enthusiasts have refused to stop using the term, “mobile home.” While
the federal government insists on calling factory-built housing manufactured
homes, many states (including California – see above), still call
this type of housing mobile homes.
Ultimately, the stigma surrounding mobile homes has faded over time, and
changing the name of factory-made housing had very little to do with it.
People don’t think poorly of mobile homes anymore because manufacturers
stopped building poor-quality homes thanks to HUD Code.
Now, some manufactured homes are even called tiny homes.
As long as you avoid the terms, “trailer,” and “trailer
park,” you can call your home whatever you wish.
Are There Still Problems in Mobile Home Parks?
Yes. Although manufactured home construction has improved significantly
since 1976, manufactured housing communities still present challenges.
Often, mobile home park owners fail to follow
California mobile home park law and allow
unsafe conditions in their communities.
Fortunately, the MRL exists to protect mobile home park residents, and
Allen, Semelsberger & Kaelin LLP has been bringing cases under the MRL since 1987.
We are relentless in addressing the problems at mobile home parks and resolving
our client’s cases, and we have collected more than $300 million
as a firm.
Whether you call your home mobile home or a manufactured home, we can help
you when you face difficulties in our community.
Call us at (888) 998-2031, contact us online, or fill out our mobile home questionnaire
to get started today.