What is a Manufactured Home?
A manufactured home is built entirely in a factory under federal code administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which went into effect June 15, 1976. These laws cover single-section or multi-section homes and include transport to the site and installation. Regulations include design & construction, strength & durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency, and quality.
What is the difference between a modular home and a manufactured home?
Both modular and manufactured homes are factory built homes. A manufactured home, usually one story, is completely built and appointed in the factory and then transported in 1 or 2 sections to the home site. In Oregon all manufactured homes are sold by licensed retailers. Certified installers are responsible for the installation.
A modular home is constructed in components in the factory and a specialized builder assembles these components and adds the desired appointments on the homeowners private property. Modular homes can be one or two stories and meet state and local agency approval (UCB Code — Universal Building Codes, as opposed to HUD Code).
HUD Requirements for Manufactured Homes
HUD code is a nationally recognized building code. The HUD code seal attached to a home's exterior certifies that it meets the regional standards for roof load, wind resistance, thermal efficiency, safety and durability. Manufactured homes are the only homes that meet the federal government's stringent regulations.
A Manufactured Home is a structure that is transportable in one or more sections. In traveling mode, the home is eight feet or more in width and forty feet or more in length. A Manufactured Home is designed and constructed to the Federal Manufactured Construction and Safety Standards and is so labeled.
FHA Mortgage Insurance Requirements for Manufactured Homes
To be eligible for FHA mortgage insurance, all manufactured home must comply with the following:
- Have a floor area of not less than 400 square feet;
- Constructed after June 15, 1976, in conformance with the Federal manufactured home construction and safety standards, as evidenced by an affixed certification label in accordance with 24 CFR Section 3280.8; (manufactured homes produced prior to that date are ineligible for insured financing);
- Classified and subject to taxation as real estate;
- Mortgage must cover both the manufactured unit and its site and shall have a term of not more than 30 years from the date amortization begins;
- Built and remains on a permanent chassis;
- Designed to be used as a dwelling with a permanent foundation built to FHA criteria; and
- The finished grade elevation beneath the manufactured home or, if a basement is used, the lowest finished exterior grade adjacent to the perimeter enclosure, shall be at or above the 100-year return frequency flood elevation.
Installation of Oregon Manufactured Homes
Manufactured dwelling installation is governed by the Oregon Manufactured Dwelling Standard. The State of Oregon reviews and inspects the construction of manufactured structures.
Delivery and installation is provided by the dealer, and is included in the price of the home. The homeowner hires a contractor to inspect the property, prepare the home site and build the foundation for the manufactured home. The dealer arranges for professional installers to set up the home. Properly installed, the home will be level and anchored according to manufacturer dwelling installer code.
Damage and installation problems: The retailer is your first contact for installation-related problems. Check for damage as soon as you receive your home and report any problems to the manufactured home dealer or transporter as soon as possible by letter, keeping a copy for yourself. If any damage has been done during transport, it should be fixed before or during setup but you need to make sure it is. You will also need to do an inspection after the home is setup and another after the home has time to settle in. The manufacturer's written warranty on the home usually will not cover problems that are caused by improper installation.
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