In the state of Texas, a person can apply to receive information about their mobile home or manufactured home, including a Statement of Ownership, from the Manufactured Housing Division of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
The Manufactured Housing Division headquarters is in Austin. This office issues all of the mobile and manufactured home Statements of Ownership for the state.
Get a Statement of Ownership
A person can get a Statement of Ownership by submitting an application to the Manufactured Housing Division (MHD) of TDHCA. When the application is complete, regular processing takes up to 15 business days. If the application is incomplete, the MHD will mail the person a request for additional information (RAI).
This can result in delays and longer processing times. Going to a division’s office in person is not necessary, and does not speed up the application processing time.
An applicant should submit the application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Manufactured Housing Division, P.O. Box 12489, Austin, TX 78711-2489. The applicant should include a number of items with their application for a first time issuance of a Statement of Ownership.
New Home Personal Property | New Home Real Property |
|---|---|
| Original Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) | Original Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) |
| Application for Statement of Ownership: Block 1 (check “New” under “Personal Property Transaction”) Blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 (if applicable, business use or nonresidential) Blocks 8a and 8b (if applicable) Block 9 (if applicable) Blocks 10a and 10b | Application for Statement of Ownership: Block 1 (check “New” under “Real Property Transaction”) Blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (check “real property” and qualifying option) Block 7 (if applicable, business use or nonresidential) 8a and 8b (if applicable) 9 (if applicable) 10a and 10b |
| $55 Statement of Ownership issuance fee | $55 Statement of Ownership issuance fee |
| If the home was moved, include a copy of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) moving permit which should be obtained from the party who transported the home (if available). | If the home was moved, include a copy of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) moving permit, which should be obtained from the party who transported the home (if available) |
| Copy of the legal description from the warranty deed and/or title commitment/title policy |
A required fee must be paid by certified funds, cashier’s check or money order, made payable to TDHCA/MHD. Fees are nonrefundable. A person can get a certified copy of a current Statement of Ownership for free by mailing or faxing the request to 512-475-1109, or email the request to processing@tdhca.state.tx.us.
Apply for Lost Statement
If a Statement of Ownership is lost or destroyed, and the home is currently titled as personal property or retailer inventory, the owner may print a copy of the Statement of Ownership through TDHCA’s website. If the home is not titled as such, the owner should submit an application for Statement of Ownership.
For Blocks 1, check “other” under appropriate property transaction. For Blocks 2, 3, 4b, 6 and 10b, check "signed by the owner" if no liens or "by the lien holder" if there is a lien. A lien is another party’s right to take possession of the mobile or manufactured home.
If a mortgage lien exists, the owner must provide one of these documents:
- Form for the release of lien or repossession (Form B) completed by the lien holder of record for the release of any personal property liens.
- Documentation identifying the home by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), label number and/or VIN number (serial number) verifying the lien is paid in full and/or has been released.
- Written consent from the lien holder to the issuance of a Statement of Ownership.
The applicant must pay a $55 Statement of Ownership issuance fee.
Apply for Release of Lien
In order to release a lien, a homeowner must submit a completed Form B. The form is not to be used for a tax lien. Another party may have a lien on the mobile home if the owner uses it as collateral to get a loan.
Alternatively, a mechanic can put a lien on the home if they repair it, are not paid by the owner and file for a lien to satisfy the debt owed to them. The fee to file this form is $55.
Find VIN Number on Mobile Home
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) number on a mobile home may be on a data plate inside the home, stamped on the steel frame of the mobile home or on the outside of the home. A data plate is a sticker with information about the mobile home. A mobile home with multiple sections usually has a different VIN for every section.
A data plate is a plate with information about the mobile home. HUD requires every mobile home to have a data plate. A data plate is installed when the home is built in the factory. It may be found:
- On the closet wall of the master bedroom.
- Under the kitchen sink on the cabinet doors.
- Near the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
- On the electrical panel.
- On the back door.
- On another inside cabinet or wall.
Removal of Skirting May Be Required
A data plate may be removed or painted over. This plate should not be removed. Sometimes a mobile home has metal skirting around it that covers the space beneath the home. The skirting protects the home from concerns such as snow and water, and also protects the plumbing.
A mobile home owner may need to remove skirting to locate the VIN if the VIN is stamped on the steel frame. The owner should search for letters and numbers at least three-eights of an inch tall.
One of the common locations for the VIN on the steel frame that does not require the removal of skirting is the steel beam that runs parallel to the front of the home. This beam attaches to the original triangular tongue beam, or hitch, that the home was attached to for transport.
Why Not a Mobile Home Title?
Before June 2003, Texas evidenced manufactured homeownership with a certificate of title. When the ownership of the home changed, the new homeowner had to submit an application for title transfer to the Manufactured Housing Division.
The division would issue a new title. When a home became real property, was declared for business use or was salvaged, the title was canceled, and the division stopped tracking ownership of the home.
In June 2003, the division replaced the certificate of title with the Statement of Ownership and Location. It later replaced this document with the Statement of Ownership. As of 2023, the MHD confirms ownership and records liens using the Statement of Ownership.
Perfecting Election of Real Property
Perfecting the election of real property means that the owner of a manufactured home chooses to have the home classified as real property rather than as personal property.
In order to perfect the election of real property, a homeowner should submit a copy of the Statement of Ownership recorded with the county clerk’s office to the state. The email address to send the copy of the Statement of Ownership is: mhelectionperfection@tdhca.state.tx.us.
References
- Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Frequently Asked Questions, Statement of Ownership
- Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Statement of Ownership Application Instructions
- Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Contact the Manufactured Housing Division
- Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Release of Lien or Repossession
- Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Fee Schedule
Writer Bio
Jessica Zimmer is a journalist and attorney based in northern California. She has practiced in a wide variety of fields, including criminal defense, property law, immigration, employment law, and family law.