The Senate Local Government Committee this week passed HB 4801.  This bill would allow local units of government to have ordinances to inspect mobile home rentals.  Currently, locals are pre-empted from these inspections because the Mobile Home Act says that the Mobile Home Commission inspects when there are complaints.  Locals currently have to get approval from the Mobile Home Commission for inspections, and the Commission doesn’t approve these.  As passed the House, HB 4801 allowed for safety inspections.  The Senate committee made some changes, mostly positive.  They added language ensuring that inspections conform to other ordinances such as any other rental housing ordinances.  They also require that the inspections are not more strict than international code allows.  The one negative amendment that was adopted, though, only allows inspections once every three years (unless there are complaints).  The League objected to this because many locals have more frequent inspections and this would result in less safety for mobile renters than other renters in those communities. The Committee Chair indicated a willingness to look at allowing inspections when the renter changes, but the industry is pushing to keep the 3 year prohibition.  Negotiations will continue with the bill on the floor.  The League supports the bill as good progress, but we hope to get the 3 year prohibition changed.  Please contact your Senator if this is a concern for your community.

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