Manufactured Home Residents: What to Do After a Disaster

If a disaster strikes your manufactured or mobile home park—like a wildfire, flood, or severe storm—you may wonder what this means for your home.  

This guide explains key legal protections for Oregon manufactured home park residents and answers frequently asked questions.  

Rent stops if your home was destroyed 

If your home was completely destroyed by the disaster, here's what you need to know:

• You don’t have to pay rent after the disaster date.
• Your rental agreement ends automatically on the date your home was destroyed. 
• The park owner must return any prepaid rent and deposits within 31 days of the disaster. 

No rent while the park is closed 

Your park may be closed for weeks or even months while officials make sure it’s safe. Signs will be posted at the park entrance if it’s closed. 

Here’s what you need to know in this situation:  

• You don’t have to pay rent while your park is closed, and you can’t lose your space for not paying.
• Even if you’re allowed in for repairs or cleanup, you still don’t have to pay rent until officials say it’s safe to live there again. 

The park owner must cleanup the park

If the park is damaged by a natural disaster, the owner must repair it and clean up common areas. This includes fixing roads, repairing utilities, and clearing disaster debris.

You are only responsible for repairing your own home.   

Rent should be lower during repairs 

If it's safe to live in the park while it's being repaired, your rent should be reduced based on the amount of damage. There is no formula for reducing your rent. You’ll need to negotiate with the park owner or manager to agree on a fair amount. 

Tip: If your park manager won’t reduce your rent, talk to a lawyer. A lawyer can help you negotiate or even sue your landlord to recover rent payments. Call Oregon's Lawyer Referral Service or your local legal aid office. You may qualify for free help with these issues.

You can choose to abandon your home 

Once officials say it’s safe to return to the park, you have 30 days to decide whether to leave the park and abandon your mobile home. 

To properly abandon your home, you must give your landlord a written notice within 30 days of the date it’s safe to return to the park. Download a sample notice and instructions. 

 If you follow the rules to abandon your home:  

• You don’t have to pay to remove your home or clean up the debris.
• You don’t owe any rent after the disaster date.
• The park owner must return prepaid rent and deposits within 31 days of the disaster date. 

Watch out for disaster scams 

Scammers often prey on vulnerable people after disasters. Here are some things to look out for:  

• Be wary of anyone who pressures you to agree to something or sign something on the spot. Government officials and trustworthy companies will usually give you time to review paperwork and have a trusted person look it over.
• Watch out for people who try to sell you services after a disaster (like home repairs or insurance). Most reliable companies don’t approach disaster survivors. They wait for your to call.
• Avoid paying by cash, wire transfer, gift card, or by signing over an insurance check: This isn’t how reliable companies accept payments. These are great signs you’re dealing with a scammer.  

For more help with disaster scams check out:  

• Disaster Scams: How to spot, avoid and report scams after a disaster-- a guide from the Division of Financial Regulation
• Call the Oregon Consumer Financial Protection Agency consumer hotline. 

Where to find help after a disaster 

Disasters can be traumatic. It's common to feel scared, tired, or overwhelmed. There is help: 

• 211info: Dial 211 to find local help, such as food pantries, shelters, legal services, counseling, and other support.
• David Romprey Oregon Warmline: This 24-hour volunteer hotline provides emotional support and guidance in English and Spanish. Call 1-800-698-2392 or visit ccswebsite.org/warmline for more details.
• Disaster-related legal help: If you're having difficulties with your park owner or other disaster-related legal problems, you can call Oregon's Lawyer Referral Service or your local legal aid office. You may qualify for free help with these issues. 

Don't wait to ask for support. You're not alone. Many people and organizations in Oregon are ready to help you. Start with the steps above, ask for support when needed, and take things one day at a time. 

Frequently Asked Questions