Iowa Code ch. 562B § 562B.17A
Sale of mobile home by landlord
Operative Text
1. Any sale of a mobile home located in a manufactured home community or mobile home park by a landlord or landlord’s agent shall be by written agreement and the landlord shall, upon the buyer’s fulfillment of all payment and other terms under the agreement, produce and assign the current certificate of title obtained from the department of transportation. The agreement shall state the basic terms of sale, including the total cost of the mobile home, and, in the case of an installment contract, finance charges, annual percentage rate, and the frequency and amount of each installment payment. 2. If such sale does not comply with this section, the court may award monetary or equitable relief, including voiding the sale, and the buyer may recover damages incurred, amounts paid as a rental deposit in excess of two months’ rent, and reasonable attorney fees. 3. A claim under subsection 2 may be combined with an action under chapter 648.
Iowa Code § 562B.17A governs how a landlord or landlord's agent may sell a mobile home located in a manufactured home community or mobile home park. The sale must be documented in a written agreement that spells out the total purchase price and, if payments are spread over time, the finance charges, annual percentage rate, and installment schedule. Once the buyer satisfies all payment and other terms, the landlord is required to transfer the current certificate of title obtained from the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 562B.17A, operators who sell a mobile home within their community must use a written agreement that clearly states the total cost and, for installment arrangements, all financing details including the annual percentage rate and payment schedule. Upon the buyer's completion of all obligations, the landlord must produce and formally assign the DOT-issued certificate of title. Failing to follow these steps exposes the seller to court-ordered remedies that can include voiding the sale, paying the buyer's damages, and covering reasonable attorney fees.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 562B.17A gives mobile home buyers in Iowa manufactured home communities the right to receive a written sales agreement detailing the full purchase price and any installment financing terms, as well as a properly assigned certificate of title once all payments are complete. If a sale does not meet these requirements, a buyer may pursue court relief that can include voiding the transaction, recovering damages, recouping any rental deposit paid in excess of two months' rent, and obtaining reasonable attorney fees. Buyers who believe a sale violated § 562B.17A may also combine that claim with an action under Iowa Code chapter 648, and consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office can help clarify available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation