How Michigan Land Trusts Laws Affect Your Mobile Home

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In today’s article, we’d like to take a moment to discuss Michigan land trusts laws and the effect they have on your mobile home.

Featured image for "How Michigan Land Trusts Laws Affect Your Mobile Home" blog post

To begin with, a land trust works to permanently protect land and the land’s resources for the public’s benefit. Trusts may be geared towards working on a local, state, regional, or national level.

An alternative to land preserved by public entities or park districts, land trusts are private. In a land trust, local citizens who wish to deal with open space scenarios can work to preserve important local areas. Additionally, a land trust can provide landowners with help in preserving their own land.

One may refer to land trusts as “conservancies,” “foundations,” or “associations.” These land trusts may accept:

  • donated property,
  • purchase land, or
  • assist landowners in placing legal protection on the land’s preservation.

Moreover, these trusts can own, manage, and monitor properties to aid landowners or agencies.

How Michigan land trusts laws affect your mobile home

So, let’s look at some of the ways Michigan land trusts laws affect your mobile home.

If you own the property, you can still sell it

A land trust does not affect your ability to sell your own property after a conservation easement is put in effect. For one thing, you can sell your land and mobile home. Or give it away or lease it as you would have before. However, the person or entity purchasing your property will need to abide by the terms of the conservation easement agreement.

You are not exempt from regulations on zoning and local permits

In Michigan land trusts laws, you are still required to meet local regulations and acquire permits just like you would outside of a land trust scenario. So don’t feel like you’re exempt from those permits and such. One of the best things you can do is contact your local government. Then find out what you’ll need to move a mobile home onto your property and get it installed. It’s likely that permits will be required.

The word "law" spelled out in Scrabble tiles

This also applies to any remodeling like you’d like to do. We’ve stated these “words of wisdom” in previous articles. If you’re doing something simple like painting your interior walls, you have nothing to worry about. However, if you’re making any structural changes to your mobile home, then it’s best to find out about any required permits to complete the project. 

In a land trust scenario, there may be more restrictions on what you can or cannot do on the property. This is all contingent on what type of protection the land requires. It’s best to contact your local and state government to find out what factors will need to be taken into account. By taking the time to get your ducks in a row, you can be spared from nullifying your mobile home’s HUD certificate and breaking the law.

The Land Division Act does not apply

When it comes to mobile homes and Michigan land trusts laws, the Land Division Act does not apply. The Land Division Act requires that you submit to local government “copies of agreements, covenants or other documents showing the manner in which reserved areas for the common use of the residents of the subdivision are to be maintained.”

In other words, the Land Division Act regulates the division of land in an effort to promote public safety and orderliness.

There are two tax bills in a land trust

There are two tax bills issued to properties under a community land trust. The first tax bill is for the homeowners, according to the value of improvements. This tax will be billed to whoever owns the home. The second tax bill is assigned to the community land trust for the land’s value.

A medium sized house on land with a garage and driveway

If the community land trust wishes, it may be arranged on the lease that the homeowner is to pay for the property tax. But this must be stated clearly in the agreement.

Be serious about being more knowledgeable

In understanding Michigan land trusts laws and how they affect your mobile home, we’ve only scratched the surface. For the best information, find a real estate attorney if you’re serious about getting involved with land trust property. A real estate attorney will know the ins and outs of land trust laws and help you evade much grief.

If you’re looking to move a mobile home onto some property that you’re renting, there are some important things you should keep in mind. Be sure to check out our article, How to Find and What to Expect From Mobile Home Mover. This guide will provide some helpful insight before you get started!

About Dan Paton

Dan Paton has been working full-time in this field for over a decade. Both him and his partner, Dan Leighton, formed EZ Homes back in 2006 and have seen explosive growth ever since. Dan works heavily in the administrative role within the organization. He is a jack of all trades type of guy. Dan and his wife have 4 children.





Written by Dan Paton

Dan Paton has been working full-time in this field for over a decade. Both him and his partner, Dan Leighton, formed EZ Homes back in 2006 and have seen explosive growth ever since. Dan works heavily in the administrative role within the organization. He is a jack of all trades type of guy. Dan and his wife have 4 children.

August 15, 2018

 

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