Some retirees own mobile homes in Florida as second homes.
The construction, sale and installation of mobile homes in Florida fall under state and federal guidelines. The state of Florida has its own requirements for installation and warranty periods, while the state defers to federal guidelines for manufacturing standards and regulating mobile home communities with regard to age restrictions.
Manufacturing Guidelines
Since Florida has some of the most severe weather in the United States, including hurricanes, tornadoes and strong thunderstorms, mobile homes in Florida must be manufactured to meet the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards for mobile homes. The state of Florida follows HUD guidelines for the safety requirements and construction of these homes. Manufactured home plants are inspected by agents of the Design Approval Primary Inspection Agency (DAPIA), generally engineering firms who make sure that the designs can withstand severe weather in Florida. Mobile homes in Florida must carry a 12 month warranty.
Each section of a mobile home in Florida must have a HUD label at the rear of the home, one foot above the base and one foot inside the corner, indicating that the home meets HUD's construction requirements. The label also needs a six-digit number that the manufacturer assigns to the section.
Ownership
People who own the lot on which the mobile home sits own their home as real estate, while people who lease the lot on which the home is situated own the home as personal property. Anyone interested in buying a lot for a mobile home in Florida needs to find out if the lot has zoning approval before purchasing a unit. Zoning approval may be a lengthy and expensive process.
Some communities where people can lease lots are age-restricted. Retirees and second-home owners find manufactured home communities. According to the 2000 Census, the Census Bureau found that 21 percent of the housing units in Florida were mobile homes compared to 13 percent for the nation as a whole.
Installation
All mobile homes in Florida must be installed by licensed installers. Installers must make sure the lot is free of tree stumps and all vegetation except grass that can be as high as 3 inches. The installer must drill auger holes 2 feet into the earth and use auger anchors at intervals recommended by the manufacturer of the home. The installer must calculate the strength of the ground anchors and multiple the combined resistance to wind by a ratio of 1.5 to determine the number of anchors and straps to provide adequate wind resistance. The installation also includes a 12-month warranty under Florida state law.
Mobile homes located within 1,500 feet of the ocean or lakes in Florida need to have more anchors and tie downs. These locations are considered "Exposure D" areas where winds gain strength blowing over open water.
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