Rental Communities

Renting instead of buying a home site can be the difference between affordable and unaffordable to many homebuyers. By locating in a manufactured home community, you have the advantages of owning your home without the cost of buying and maintaining land.

Placing your home in such a community involves fewer practical concerns than siting your home on your own land since most services are included in your lease payments. When you look at the initial cost of the home and the process, you find that these sub-divisions put you in your home sooner, with less cost and red tape than a site-built home. If the idea of a rental community interests you, find and visit several.

Choosing a Community

Today's manufactured home communities offer many of the same conveniences and services found in other planned residential developments. Retailers will have information about rental communities and in some cases, operate such communities themselves. Compare services, amenities, and the costs of each, including the rent, installation fees, and other miscellaneous service charges. Ask the following questions before deciding on a community:

• Is a written lease required? If so, for what length of time?
  
   
• What are the charges for utility connections and other services?
  
   
• Can my retailer or other professional install my home, or does the community require that it handle installation?
  
   
• What will I be charged for installation?
  
   
• Who is responsible for ground maintenance, snow removal, garbage collection, street maintenance, and mail delivery?
  
   
• What are the community's rules and regulations? Can I live with them? For example, are pets allowed?
  
   
• Are there any special requirements or restrictions if I sell my home?
  
   
• How are rent increases handled?
  
   
• Is there a homeowner's association?
  
   
• Are there restrictive covenants?

Community living Benefits

For many people, living in a rental community is a lifestyle choice. Residents compare it to living in a small town, where people know their neighbors. Rental communities often develop into close-knit neighborhoods. Security is enhanced because people look out for one another. Block Watch programs, on-site managers, and security gates contribute to resident safety. Residents value tranquillity as well as security. Protection of lifestyle and property values is generally ensured through community covenants. These guidelines help govern common concerns such as noise and community upkeep.