Texas Mobile Home Title Application: A Comprehensive Guide

Texas Mobile Home Title Application⁚ A Comprehensive Guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Texas mobile home title application process, addressing key aspects such as understanding the process, required documents, the role of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), title transfer procedures, associated fees, and additional resources․ This information is intended to assist individuals navigating the complexities of mobile home ownership in Texas․

Understanding the Texas Mobile Home Title Process

In Texas, the process of obtaining and transferring ownership of a mobile home is governed by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), through its Manufactured Housing Division․ The TDHCA plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act, which outlines regulations for the construction, sale, and ownership of manufactured homes․ Prior to June 2003, Texas evidenced manufactured homeownership with a certificate of title․ However, the process has since transitioned to a system utilizing Statements of Ownership (SO), which serve as the primary document for verifying ownership and location of manufactured homes․

The SO is issued by the TDHCA, and it is essential for various transactions involving mobile homes, including sales, financing, and property tax assessments․ It is important to understand that a mobile home is considered personal property until it is permanently affixed to real property, which requires a separate process of filing a Record of Location (ROL) with the TDHCA․ The TDHCA’s Manufactured Housing Division website provides valuable resources, including an online application system for Statements of Ownership, allowing individuals to conveniently initiate the process of obtaining or transferring ownership of their manufactured home․

Required Documents for Title Application

Successfully applying for a Texas mobile home title requires the submission of specific documentation to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) Manufactured Housing Division․ These documents are essential to verify the identity of the applicant, the mobile home’s information, and the legitimacy of the transaction․ The specific documents required may vary depending on the nature of the application, such as a new title application, a transfer of ownership, or a replacement title․ However, the following documents are commonly required for most mobile home title applications⁚

Completed Application for Statement of Ownership (Form 130-U)⁚ This form is available online on the TDHCA website and requires detailed information about the mobile home, the buyer, the seller, and the transaction details․ It is crucial to provide accurate information on the form to avoid delays or complications in the processing of the application․
Proof of Identification⁚ Both the buyer and seller must provide valid identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued identification card, to verify their identities․
Proof of Ownership⁚ This may include the existing title certificate, if available, or other documentation proving ownership of the mobile home, such as a bill of sale or a previous Statement of Ownership․
Affidavit of Affixture⁚ If the mobile home is permanently affixed to real property, a completed Affidavit of Affixture is required to confirm that the home is permanently attached to the land․ This document typically requires signatures from both the homeowner and a licensed surveyor․
Lien Releases⁚ If there are any outstanding liens on the mobile home, such as a mortgage or a tax lien, lien releases from the respective lenders or government agencies must be provided․
Texas Seal or HUD Label⁚ If the mobile home does not possess the required Texas Seal or HUD Label, an additional fee may be applicable․ The Texas Seal signifies that the mobile home meets Texas safety standards, and the HUD Label indicates that the home meets federal standards․
Payment of Fees⁚ A non-refundable fee is required for processing the title application․ The fee amount may vary depending on the type of application and the presence of additional requirements, such as the need for a Texas Seal․

It is essential to gather all required documents before submitting the application to ensure a smooth and timely processing of the title application․ The TDHCA website provides detailed information about the specific requirements for each type of application, and individuals are encouraged to review the guidelines carefully before submitting their application․

The Role of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), through its Manufactured Housing Division, plays a critical role in regulating the ownership, transfer, and registration of manufactured homes in Texas․ The TDHCA’s primary responsibility in this area is to ensure compliance with the Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act, which aims to protect consumers and uphold safety standards for manufactured housing․

The TDHCA’s involvement in mobile home titling extends to several key areas⁚

Issuing Statements of Ownership⁚ The TDHCA’s Manufactured Housing Division issues Statements of Ownership (SO) to individuals who own manufactured homes in Texas․ The SO serves as the primary document confirming ownership and location of the manufactured home․
Processing Title Transfers⁚ The TDHCA is responsible for processing applications for the transfer of ownership of mobile homes․ This includes verifying the legitimacy of the transaction, ensuring all necessary documentation is provided, and issuing new Statements of Ownership to the new owner․
Maintaining Ownership Records⁚ The TDHCA maintains a database of manufactured home ownership records, providing access to information on current ownership, lien status, and the status of the manufactured home as real or personal property․ This database is a valuable resource for individuals considering purchasing a used manufactured home or verifying ownership information․
Enforcing Regulations⁚ The TDHCA enforces the Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act, ensuring compliance with construction, safety, and sales regulations for manufactured homes․ This includes licensing and regulating manufactured home retailers, salespersons, and brokers, as well as addressing consumer complaints related to manufactured housing․

The TDHCA’s role in mobile home titling is essential in protecting consumers, ensuring fair and transparent transactions, and upholding safety standards for manufactured housing in Texas․ Individuals seeking information or assistance with mobile home titling are encouraged to contact the TDHCA’s Manufactured Housing Division for guidance and support․

Transferring Title to a Mobile Home in Texas

Transferring title to a mobile home in Texas involves a process that ensures the proper documentation and legal transfer of ownership․ This process is handled by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), through its Manufactured Housing Division․ The TDHCA’s role is to ensure the transaction meets all legal requirements and that all parties involved are properly represented․ The following steps outline the general process of transferring title to a mobile home in Texas⁚

Gather Required Documents⁚ The buyer and seller must gather all necessary documentation, including proof of identification, proof of ownership, the completed Application for Statement of Ownership (Form 130-U), an Affidavit of Affixture (if applicable), lien releases, and payment for the required fees․
Submit Application⁚ Both the buyer and seller must sign the Application for Statement of Ownership (Form 130-U) and submit it to the TDHCA’s Manufactured Housing Division, along with all other required documentation․ The application can be submitted via mail, fax, or online through the TDHCA’s website․
TDHCA Processing⁚ The TDHCA reviews the application and verifies the information provided․ If all required documentation is submitted and the information is accurate, the TDHCA will process the title transfer and issue a new Statement of Ownership to the buyer․
Recording Change of Ownership⁚ Once the TDHCA issues the new Statement of Ownership, the buyer should record the change of ownership with the county clerk’s office where the mobile home is located․ This step is crucial for establishing the buyer’s legal ownership of the mobile home and ensuring proper property tax assessments․
Additional Considerations⁚ If the mobile home is permanently affixed to real property, the process of transferring title may also involve updating the Record of Location (ROL) with the TDHCA․ Furthermore, if the mobile home does not have a Texas Seal or HUD Label, an additional fee may be required for the issuance of the seal, which must be completed before the title can be transferred․

The process of transferring title to a mobile home in Texas is relatively straightforward, but it is essential to follow all legal requirements and provide accurate information to the TDHCA to avoid delays or complications․ The TDHCA’s website offers detailed information and resources to guide individuals through the title transfer process․

Fees Associated with Mobile Home Title Applications

When applying for a Texas mobile home title, certain fees are associated with the processing of the application by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)․ These fees vary depending on the type of application and any additional requirements, such as the need for a Texas Seal․ Understanding these fees is crucial for budgeting and planning for the overall cost of obtaining or transferring ownership of a mobile home․

Statement of Ownership Issuance Fee⁚ The standard fee for processing a Statement of Ownership (SO) application is $55․ This fee covers the administrative costs associated with reviewing the application, verifying information, and issuing the new SO․
Late Application Fee⁚ If an application for a Statement of Ownership is submitted more than 60 days after the date of sale to a consumer for residential use, a late fee of up to $100 may be assessed․ This late fee is intended to encourage timely submissions and avoid delays in processing․
Texas Seal Fee⁚ If the mobile home does not have the required Texas Seal, an additional fee is required for the issuance of the seal․ The fee is $35 per section of the home․ For single-section homes, the fee is $35․ Double-wide homes require a fee of $70, while triple-wide homes incur a fee of $105․
Additional Fees⁚ Depending on the specific circumstances of the application, additional fees may apply․ These fees could include charges for expedited processing, duplicate titles, or other services provided by the TDHCA․

It is essential to contact the TDHCA’s Manufactured Housing Division directly to confirm the current fee schedule and any potential additional fees that may apply to your specific application․ Understanding these fees beforehand will help you accurately budget for the cost of obtaining or transferring ownership of a mobile home in Texas․