Mobile Home Park with NO Lease Agreements

[Jason Lawson]

Please forgive me if this topic has been covered (I’m sure it has but my searches didn’t result in any detailed info)...

I’m considering pursuing the purchase of a mobile home park where a number of the tenants have been living there for years without any formal lot leases, just “handshake deals.”

The owner is a longtime resident of the park and has no interest in running it like a business. What is the best course of action here?

My first inclination is to attempt to get him to execute proper lot lease agreements with all tenants prior to the purchase but I have a strong feeling that he won’t go for that; it could be construed has him “selling his friends out.”

If I were to purchase “as is” (sans lot leases) can I then require tenants to sign lease agreements or face eviction?

Note: this park is located in Pennsylvania. 

Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated! 

[Rachel H.]

@Jason Lawson You can take it to court if a lease agreement isn't signed and there is no agreement. Though usually park owners just raise the lot rent and make residents who are not on lease agreements pay higher amounts in lot rent. If the residents are not willing to pay the new amount for lot rent and/or not following the rules and regulations of the park, then yes there is a reason to take them to court and pursue an eviction. Hope that helps!