DelawareSS 2 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

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Protections for heirs after a tenant dies

The lot lease does not end because a tenant dies. It transfers automatically to a buyer, an heir who lived there, or to the heirs or the estate for one year. The owner must wait 90 days after the last tenant dies before filing eviction. Within 90 days, heirs must give the owner names, addresses, and phone numbers for all new owners, if known. Heirs who plan to live there may be asked only for a criminal background check; partial owners can live there, and some heirs may live elsewhere during the first year. If estate work delays rent, there is a 90‑day defense to eviction; late fees and court costs can still apply.

Immediate eviction grounds in communities

A landlord can end your rental agreement right away for certain serious reasons. These include conduct that causes or threatens immediate, irreparable harm, certain convictions, or a serious lie on your application that would have led to denial. It also includes not giving the required 3‑week sale notice or failing to bring the home into compliance with written standards.

Landlord buyout and right to purchase

Your community owner can buy your home for 10% above the contract price if it says yes within 7 days, pays a 5% nonrefundable deposit, and keeps the same closing date. In other cases, the owner can buy for 1% above the price if it gives written notice within five business days and sets closing within 14 days. The owner can also offer to end your right to transfer the lease by paying the larger of $1,500 or 36 months of the rent difference; you do not have to accept. Family, trust, foreclosure, and gift transfers are excluded. Owners may not use undue pressure to make you sell or give up transfer rights; willful violations owe at least triple damages or triple monthly rent and trigger a 365‑day ban on buying any tenant’s home. Owners must also report these lease‑transfer terminations to the state each year.

Older sales: 120% repair deposit, 3 years

Sales in 2003 follow the resale rules that were in place on January 1, 2003. For sales on and after January 1, 2004, a buyer who becomes the tenant has three years to finish required changes, or less if needed for safety. If the seller did not finish the changes, the buyer must deposit 120% of the estimated cost into a joint account with the owner before work is done. If required changes are not completed, the owner may file for summary possession.

Resale standards, inspections, and 90-day repairs

Community owners must have reasonable written resale rules that cover only appearance, maintenance, safety, and code compliance. A home’s age cannot be the main reason to block a sale or retention. After you give notice of intent to sell, the owner may inspect the exterior within 10 days and must send any violation list within 7 days. If you fix issues, you can ask for a reevaluation, and the owner must respond within 10 days. Buyers who become tenants have 90 days to finish required work, or until June 1 for sales between November 1 and March 1; reasonable extensions are required when work cannot be finished in time. If required work is not finished, the owner can file a summary possession case.

Rules for selling your home in communities

Before listing, tell the community owner you plan to sell the home and keep it on the lot. After you sign a deal, give written notice at least 3 weeks before closing with the buyer’s name, address, and the sale price and terms. If you miss this notice, the landlord may end your rental agreement. A buyer may have to apply for tenancy; the landlord must answer in writing within 10 days and explain any rejection. If the landlord accepts the buyer, you or your heir choose to assign your current lease or end it and let the buyer sign a new one.

Automatic lease renewal and notice

Lot leases renew automatically unless you give 60 days’ written notice before the end to move the home. An owner may give 90 days’ written notice to not renew for due cause set by law. If you plan to sell, you do not have to give the 60‑day notice, and leases cannot add extra steps beyond the transfer rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Kyra L. Hoffner
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

William J. Carson
Democratic • House
Daniel Cruce
Democratic • Senate
Mara Gorman
Democratic • House
Kimberly Williams
Democratic • House
Larry Lambert
Democratic • House
John "Jack" Walsh
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 57 • No: 0

House vote • 6/26/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/12/2025

Passed (3/4 required)

Yes: 18 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Signed by Governor
9/3/2025Governor
Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 1 ABSENT 1 VACANT
6/26/2025House
Reported Out of Committee (Housing) in House with 8 On Its Merits
6/17/2025House
Assigned to Housing Committee in House
6/12/2025House
Passed By Senate. Votes: 18 YES 1 NOT VOTING 2 ABSENT
6/12/2025Senate
Reported Out of Committee (Housing & Land Use) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits
6/11/2025Senate
Adopted in lieu of the original bill SB 56, and Assigned to Housing & Land Use Committee in Senate
6/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

Current
6/11/2025
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