Albuquerque City Council Passes Landmark Ordinance to Protect Manufactured Home Community Residents

Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque City Council passed a groundbreaking ordinance,  O-24-52, aimed at safeguarding the rights and interests of residents in manufactured home communities. The new ordinance, known as the “Manufactured Home Community Stability and Empowerment Ordinance,” gives residents resources to keep their homes and communities.

Manufactured home communities provide affordable housing options for many residents, but residents of these communities often face challenges that impact housing stability, security, and affordability when their communities are sold, leased, or transferred. While residents often own the structures they live in, they generally do not own the land underneath those structures and instead pay a ‘lot rent’ to the landowner.

The ordinance establishes new requirements for manufactured home community owners, and gives residents certain rights, protections, and support:

• Notice Requirement: Property owners must provide advance notice to residents of any intent to sell, lease, or transfer the community.
• Resident Purchase Opportunity: Resident homeowner groups have the right to submit a purchase offer, which must be considered in good faith by the property owner.
• Fairness and Transparency: The ordinance ensures fair and transparent dealings between property owners and residents, promoting open communication and negotiation.
• Resident Empowerment: The ordinance supports resident homeowner groups and encourages their active participation in community decision-making.
• Protection from Unfair Practices: The ordinance safeguards residents from arbitrary or unfair practices during the sale, lease, or transfer of their communities.

“This ordinance is a significant step forward in protecting the rights of our manufactured home community residents,” said District 6 Councilor Nichole Rogers, the bill’s sponsor. “By empowering residents and promoting stability, we are working to ensure that these communities remain affordable and welcoming places to live.”