Text Size:
Back to Virginia Law Help home page
Text Size:
If Your Community Is Being Sold or Closed | Virginia Law Help

If Your Community Is Being Sold or Closed

Read this in: Español

Reviewed by: Daniel Rezai

Finding out your community may be sold, converted, or closed is one of the most stressful things a manufactured home owner can face. You could be forced to move your home with little warning. But you do have protections. Make sure to learn about them and act quickly.

What happens when my community is being sold?

The rules depend on how the sale is happening. There are three different situations:

  • If the owner is listing the community for sale, they must give all tenants written notice at least 90 days before they will accept any offer. This gives you and your neighbors time to organize and submit a competing offer
  • If the owner received an unsolicited offer from a third party, they must give tenants written notice at least 60 days before closing.
  • If the community is being sold to a developer, tenants must receive at least 180 days' notice. The owner must also pay each tenant $5,000 in relocation assistance.

In the first two situations, the owner must also consider any competing offer from a tenant group that represents at least 25 percent of tenants with valid leases. This means that if you and your neighbors organize quickly, you may be able to put in an offer to buy the community yourselves and become a resident-owned community.

What if my community is being converted or closed?

If your community is closing, the law requires your landlord to give you advance notice. How much notice depends on the situation.

  • If the current owner is closing the community to use the land for a new purpose, they must give all tenants at least 180 days notice before the community closes. This gives you time to make arrangements for your home.

  • If the community is being sold to a developer who plans to close and redevelop the land, the same 180 days notice applies. The owner must also pay each tenant $5,000 in relocation assistance to help cover the cost of moving.

In either case, 180 days can go faster than you think. As soon as you receive notice, start making a plan. Contact your local legal aid office right away to make sure your rights are protected.

What is a resident-owned community?

A resident-owned community (ROC) is a manufactured home community owned by the residents themselves, usually through a cooperative or nonprofit. When residents own the land, they have much more security. No outside owner can decide to sell or develop the land without the residents' agreement.

Where can I get free or low-cost help?

Things to remember

  • Your landlord must give you written notice before selling, converting, or closing the community. How much notice depends on the situation.
  • If your community is being sold to a developer or closed for redevelopment, you are entitled to at least 180 days notice and $5,000 in relocation assistance.
  • If you and your neighbors act quickly, you may have the right to submit a competing offer to buy the community yourselves.
  • 180 days can go faster than you think. Start making a plan as soon as you receive any notice.
  • Contact your local legal aid office right away if you receive any notice about a sale, conversion, or closure.
Was this information helpful?