CHAPTER 1.5. ABANDONED MOBILE HOMES - Indiana Statutes

IC 9-22-1.5
     Chapter 1.5. Abandoned Mobile Homes

IC 9-22-1.5-1
"Mobile home" defined
     Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "mobile home" has the meaning set forth in IC 6-6-5-1.
As added by P.L.108-2001, SEC.5.

IC 9-22-1.5-2
Property owner may sell mobile home
     Sec. 2. A private property owner who finds a mobile home that the person believes to be abandoned on property the person owns or controls, including rental property, may sell or salvage the mobile home if it has been left without permission on the owner's property for at least thirty (30) days.
As added by P.L.108-2001, SEC.5.

IC 9-22-1.5-3
Thirty day period
     Sec. 3. (a) The thirty (30) day period described in section 2 of this chapter begins the day written notice is sent by the property owner to the last known address of the owner of the mobile home as shown by the records in the bureau of motor vehicles or personally delivered to the owner of the mobile home. If the property owner is unable to determine the address of the mobile home owner, the property owner may serve the mobile home owner by posting the notice on the mobile home. If the notice is mailed, the property owner shall send notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. Notice, by mail or personally delivered, must include a description of the mobile home and a conspicuous statement that the mobile home is on the owner's property without the owner's permission. If the owner of a mobile home changes the owner's address from that maintained in the records of the bureau, the owner shall immediately notify the property owner of the new address.
    (b) If, before the thirty (30) day period described in section 2 of this chapter expires, the mobile home owner requests by certified mail, return receipt requested, additional time to remove the mobile home, the period described in section 2 of this chapter shall be extended by an additional thirty (30) days. The mobile home owner may only request one (1) thirty (30) day extension of time.
As added by P.L.108-2001, SEC.5.

IC 9-22-1.5-4
Property owner may hold auction
     Sec. 4. The property owner shall:
        (1) request that a search be performed in the records of the bureau for the name and address of the owner of the mobile home and the name and address of any person holding a lien or security interest on the mobile home;         (2) after receiving the results of the search required by subdivision (1), give notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, or in person, to the last known address of the owner of the mobile home, to any lien holder with a perfected security interest in the mobile home and to all other persons known to claim an interest in the mobile home. The notice must include a description of the mobile home, a demand that the mobile home be removed within a specified time not less than ten (10) days after receipt of the notice, and a conspicuous statement that unless the mobile home is removed within that time, the mobile home will be advertised for sale and offered for sale by auction at a specified time and place;
        (3) advertise that the mobile home will be offered for sale at public auction in conformity with IC 26-1-7-210 and IC 26-1-2-328. The advertisement of sale must be published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the mobile home has been left without permission. The advertisement must include a description of the mobile home, the name of the owner of the mobile home, if ascertainable, and the time and place of the sale. The sale must take place at least fifteen (15) days after the first publication. If there is no newspaper of general circulation where the sale is to be held, the advertisement must be posted at least ten (10) days before the sale in not less than six (6) conspicuous places in the neighborhood of the proposed sale;
        (4) conduct an auction, not less than thirty (30) days after the return receipt is received by the property owner, on the property where the mobile home was left without permission;
        (5) provide a reasonable time before the sale for prospective purchasers to examine the mobile home;
        (6) sell the mobile home to the highest bidder, if any; and
        (7) immediately after the auction, execute an affidavit of sale or disposal in triplicate on a form prescribed by the bureau stating:
            (A) that the requirements of this section have been met;
            (B) the length of time that the mobile home was left on the property without permission;
            (C) any expenses incurred by the property owner, including the expenses of the sale;
            (D) the name and address of the purchaser of the mobile home at the auction, if any; and
            (E) the amount of the winning bid, if any.
        If the auction produces no purchaser, the property owner shall note that fact on the affidavit. The property owner shall list the property owner, or any donee, as the purchaser on the affidavit of sale or disposal.
As added by P.L.108-2001, SEC.5.

IC 9-22-1.5-5
Results of auction
     Sec. 5. (a) Upon payment of the bid price by the purchaser, the

property owner shall provide the purchaser with the affidavit of sale or disposal described in this chapter.
    (b) If the auction produces no purchaser, the mobile home becomes the property of the property owner, and the property owner shall note that fact on the affidavit of sale or disposal.
    (c) If the property owner wishes to donate the mobile home to any willing donee, a property owner who has obtained ownership of a mobile home under this section may transfer ownership to a willing donee by listing the donee as the purchaser on the affidavit of sale or disposal.
    (d) If the auction produces no purchaser and the property owner does not intend to sell or transfer the mobile home to another person, the property owner may, without further administrative application, dismantle the unit for salvage or disposal.
    (e) A property owner or willing donee who obtains ownership of a mobile home under this section has the same right of ownership as a purchaser who was the highest bidder at auction.
As added by P.L.108-2001, SEC.5.

IC 9-22-1.5-6
Affidavit of sale or disposal
     Sec. 6. The affidavit of sale or disposal under this chapter constitutes proof of ownership and right to have the mobile home titled in the purchaser's, property owner's, or donee's name under IC 9-17-6-12.
As added by P.L.108-2001, SEC.5.

IC 9-22-1.5-7
Certificate of title
     Sec. 7. After the purchaser, property owner, or donee:
        (1) presents the bureau with the affidavit of sale;
        (2) completes an application for title; and
        (3) pays any applicable fee;
the bureau shall issue to the purchaser or property owner a certificate of title to the mobile home.
As added by P.L.108-2001, SEC.5.