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DelawareSS 1 for SB 56153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MANUFACTURED HOME TITLE TRANSFERS.

Sponsored By: Kyra L. Hoffner (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Stronger penalties for landlord pressure

Landlords may not use undue pressure to make tenants sell their homes. If a court finds willful misconduct, the tenant can get the higher of three times actual damages or three times monthly rent, plus court costs. For 365 days per offense, that landlord is also barred from using the purchase right. Breaking these rules is an unlawful consumer practice under state law.

Home sale inspections and repair rules

Parks must use written resale standards limited to appearance, upkeep, safety, and housing/HUD codes. Age alone cannot be the main reason to reject a home. After you give notice you plan to sell and keep the home in the park, the park may do an exterior inspection within 10 days and must send a written list of problems within 5 days. You can ask for a reevaluation, and the park must do it within 10 days. If you buy and become a tenant, you normally have 90 days to finish required changes (to June 1 if the transfer is Nov 1–Mar 1). Some work can take up to 3 years unless needed sooner for safety, and a written plan can get reasonable extra time. If the seller did not finish required work before the sale, you must deposit 120% of the estimated cost into a joint account with the park. If you do not finish on time, the park can start a fast eviction (summary possession). Older 2003 transfers follow the park’s 2003 standards; on or after Jan 1, 2004, current §7007 standards apply.

Lease transfer choices and screening rules

A lot lease can transfer only if the home qualifies under the park’s standards and the park accepts the new tenant using the same rules as for any new tenant. The park may require a tenant application and the fee and can take it before a sale contract; it must decide within 10 days of a complete application and, if it rejects, give written reasons. Sellers must tell buyers if the lease being transferred is below market or if a new lease will apply, and the park must tell a buyer the rent they would pay if asked. Once a buyer is accepted, the seller or heir may choose to assign the existing lease (keeping current rent and terms for the rest of its term) or end it so the buyer signs a new full‑term lease at rent set by the park. Leases renew automatically unless you give at least 60 days’ written notice that you will move the home off the lot; that 60‑day move notice does not apply when you sell. A landlord must give 90 days’ notice to not renew for due cause.

Park’s first-right to buy your home

Before you give formal sale notice, the park can stop a lease transfer by offering the greater of $1,500 or 36 months of the rent gap (market rent minus your current rent). After you sign a contract, you must give the park at least 3 weeks’ written notice with the buyer’s name, address, price, and terms; not giving this notice lets the park end your tenancy. After you give sale notice, the park has 7 days to buy your home for 110% of the contract price and must pay a 5% nonrefundable deposit. After it receives the buyer’s details, the park can also buy for 1% over the contract price if it gives written notice within 5 business days and closes within 14 days. The buy-right does not apply to foreclosures, gifts, family transfers, transfers between joint owners, or transfers by law. If the park uses the buyout offer, it must tell you in writing that keeping and transferring your current-rent lease likely raises your home’s value. If the park exercises a purchase right, it may inspect the home after exercising the option.

Heirs keep the lease after death

Leases do not end because a tenant dies. After the last tenant dies, the park cannot start summary possession for at least 90 days. Heirs or the estate must notify the park within 90 days with the new owners’ names, contact info, and planned occupants. The lease automatically transfers to a buyer who keeps the home, to an heir who lived in the home at death, or to heirs or the estate for up to one year when no heir lived there. The park may not end a lease when heirs or the estate transfer it to people already living there; it may require a criminal‑background check if not yet done. Heirs who won’t live there do not have to apply; heirs who will live there may need only the criminal‑background part. Heirs with partial ownership can live in the park. Estate delays can be a defense to nonpayment for up to 90 days, though late fees and costs may still be owed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kyra L. Hoffner

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • William J. Carson

    Democratic • House

  • Kimberly Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Sherae'a Moore

    Democratic • House

  • Claire Snyder-Hall

    Democratic • House

  • David L. Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. SS 2 for SB 56 - Signed by Governor

    9/3/2025Governor

  2. SS 2 for SB 56 - Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 1 ABSENT 1 VACANT

    6/26/2025House

  3. SS 2 for SB 56 - Reported Out of Committee (Housing) in House with 8 On Its Merits

    6/17/2025House

  4. SS 2 for SB 56 - Assigned to Housing Committee in House

    6/12/2025House

  5. SS 2 for SB 56 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 18 YES 1 NOT VOTING 2 ABSENT

    6/12/2025Senate

  6. SS 2 for SB 56 - Reported Out of Committee (Housing & Land Use) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits

    6/11/2025Senate

  7. Substituted in Senate by SS 2 for SB 56

    6/10/2025Senate

  8. Adopted in lieu of the original bill SB 56, and Assigned to Housing & Land Use Committee in Senate

    5/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    5/20/2025

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