Renting The Lot, Owning The Home
Manufactured Home Community Rights Act 3 — four reasons to evict, and no self-help
In Pennsylvania, the owner of a manufactured home community may end, refuse to renew, or evict a lessee only for one of four reasons.
- Nonpayment of rent.
- A second or subsequent violation of the community's rules within a six-month period.
- A change in use of the community land or parts of it.
- Termination of the community.
No self-help, and written notice first. A lessee may not be evicted by any self-help measure. Before any eviction proceeding or termination, the owner notifies the lessee in writing, by certified or registered mail, of the particular breach. For unpaid rent, the notice gives 20 days to pay if given on or after April 1 and before September 1, and 30 days if given on or after September 1 and before April 1.
Rules enforced evenly. No lessee may be evicted for violating a rule shown not to be enforced against other lessees or nonresidents in the community.
Fair and reasonable rules. Community rules must be fair and reasonable, related to health, safety and upkeep, not arbitrary or capricious, applied uniformly, and given in writing before any initial deposit, fee or rent is accepted. Entrance and exit fees may not be charged, and installation and removal fees may not exceed actual cost.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionThe community can change the locks or pull the utilities | What the law actually doesNo lessee may be evicted by any self-help measure |
| The assumptionOne broken rule is enough to evict | What the law actually doesIt takes a second or subsequent violation within a six-month period, after written notice |
Rent increases, the sale of a home in the community and the closing of a community are not all on this page. What a particular situation carries is a question for a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Manufactured Home Community Rights Act 3 — Evictions
- Manufactured Home Community Rights Act 4 — Community rules and regulations
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.