MHP questions - Title, Squatters, & Removal of fire damaged Mobile Home

Real Estate Investing Real Estate Law
1

Hello friends. I have recently purchased a Mobile Home Park. I bought it REO and therefore inherited several issues. Advice on one or more would be greatly appreciated!

  1. Squatters I need to get rid of. I need to figure out the best way to vacate them without winding up dealing with WA State laws protecting them more than me. None of the mobiles being occupied would be considered habitable. None were ever tenants signed on a lease or even have a history of paying rent.

  2. Abandoned Mobiles - None of them (6) were a part of the transaction as the titles are held by different parties and are just abandoned. I need to obtain title so I can either rehab or remove.

  3. Removal of MH - Shortly before closing on the sale, one of the squatters used the stove for heat and burned the trailer down. Now I have a fire damaged trailer with the roof half hanging and 2 walls barely standing. There is another MH which is damaged beyond repair for certain and needs to be removed. Is there a value to these because of the frames? Is it possible to trade any value here in exchange for removal / haul-out? They do have axles though do not have tongues. If I have them hauled out and wait a while before replacing, does this make it more difficult for permitting?

Location: Lakewood WA

Thank you!!!

Rich

PS.
I already have had one small MHP for 7 years. However there is SO much to learn. I have seen some different Mobile Home investment seminars offered. I am also interested in Lonnie Deals. I must first focus on my 2 small little parks first then look to grow from there. I would love to go to a seminar or learn directly from a great mentor. Any suggestions??

2

Neighborly advice

As your next-door neighbor here in UP I’d be happy to give you some advice if you’d give me a call @ (253) 228-2277.

For starters though (and for good of all, hopefully) I’ll tell you what a little research taught me some years ago…it’s a violation of most city/state health laws, statutes and ordinances to live or abide in ANY dwelling w/o electricity and/or water.

When I learned this and gave local Health Dept a call to report this violator they almost had a cow and w/i the hour I met HD officer and a city cop @ violator’s door and watched cop knock on the door and order tenant to leave NOW and give me (owner) her housekey which she did.

Proof of this is simply demonstrated OUTside the dwelling by checking the elec meter so unnecessary to go within.

3

you’re right

Nice post. Never sawn the matter from this point of view. I need to believe on it to answer better. For now: thanks and waiting for your next post