SECTIONS 18150-18153 - California Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

SECTION 18150-18153

18150. The Legislature finds and declares that increasing numbers
of Californians live in manufactured homes and mobilehomes and that
most of those manufactured home and mobilehome owners reside in
mobilehome parks. Because of the growing number of problems and
complaints dealing with various aspects of living in manufactured
homes and mobilehomes, it is necessary to designate a Mobilehome
Ombudsman within the Department of Housing and Community Development
to better provide assistance to the public in handling and
coordinating the resolution to those problems and complaints.

18151. (a) The position of mobilehome ombudsman is hereby
established in the Department of Housing and Community Development.
(b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), the ombudsman shall
provide assistance in taking complaints, and helping to resolve and
coordinate the resolution of those complaints, from the public
relating to manufactured homes and mobilehomes, including, but not
limited to, problems of titling and registration, installation,
warranties, financing, other than financing by a supervised financial
organization, as defined in Section 1801.6 of the Civil Code, sales,
inspection of homes and parks, mobilehome accessories and
improvements, and problems relating to the Mobilehome Residency Law
(Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 798) of Title 2 of Part 2 of
Division 2 of the Civil Code).
(c) The ombudsman shall not arbitrate, mediate, negotiate, or
provide legal advice on mobilehome park rent disputes, lease or
rental agreements, or disputes arising from lease or rental
agreements, but may provide information on these issues.
(d) The ombudsman shall refer any alleged violations of law or
regulations within the Department of Housing and Community
Development's jurisdiction to the Division of Codes and Standards
within the Department of Housing and Community Development.

18152. The Governor shall designate a deputy director in the
Department of Housing and Community Development to serve as the
Mobilehome Ombudsman.

18153. The Mobilehome Ombudsman shall establish procedures to deal
with complaints, including the publication of complaint forms and
written materials which shall be made available to the public
informing them of the functions of the Mobilehome Ombudsman and
providing information on manufactured homes and mobilehomes. The
ombudsman shall work with, and coordinate his or her efforts with,
other divisions and sections of the department and with other
agencies of state and local government.