FAQ

Upon the written request of a majority of the residents of a park, the MHCFP will arrange to have a feasibility study performed to determine if a park could be successfully converted to a cooperative.  The study looks at the current owner's position on selling, the physical condition of the park including any work necessary to bring it up to acceptable condition and an estimate of the market value of the park in order to determine whether a conversion is feasible while keeping the park affordable to its current residents.  While the study is paid for by the MHCFP, if a conversion is feasible and is actually completed using a loan from the MHCFP, the cost of the study is reimbursed from that loan.

If the MHCFP receives a positive feasibility study and the residents are willing to try to purchase the land under their homes, the MHCFP can provide the residents with technical assistance to help them negotiate the purchase of the park and accomplish all other tasks necessary to complete the conversion.

No.  The MHCFP can only make affordable loans to park residents who are able to persuade a park's current owner to sell.

The cooperative corporation buys the park from its current owner at a negotiated price acceptable to all parties and any sources of money for the purchase.  The corporation usually gets the money to buy the park from a number of places including:  loans from the MHCFP, loans from other lenders, money invested as equity by the residents who choose to become shareholders and various other grants and loans.

In a Manufactured Home Park Cooperative, the park is owned by a cooperative corporation.   All of the shares in the corporation are owned by the residents of the park.  As shareholders, the residents both get the right to lease the pads their homes are on and get the right to participate in running the park.  The shareholders periodically elect a Board of Directors responsible for the day to day operations of the park and are entitled to accurate and timely information about the park's financial condition.  As a group the shareholders own the park and have all the rights and responsibilities of the park's owner.

The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal enforces the major provisions of the Manufactured Home Tenants "Bill of Rights", Section 233 of the Real Property Law. The Commissioner of Housing may make applications to courts to restrain violations by park owners and seek the imposition of penalties, allowances and restitution.  Information about the "Bill of Rights" is available on the DHCR Website at http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ohm/progs/manufact/ohmmhp0.htm

In order to efficiently respond to manufactured home park residents, DHCR has a 24-hour telephone hotline, 1-800-432-4210. DHCR's enforcement and compliance relies upon the evaluation of each complaint by Division professionals and where appropriate, referral to mediation centers across the state for prompt resolution. If mediation is not appropriate, DHCR staff will attempt to conciliate the complaint or if necessary seek a remedy from the courts.