Installation Law Approved
On June 13th, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) approved the adoption of rules and regulations for the new installation law. Illinois is following the lead set by the Federal Government when they passed a similar law two years ago.
Benefits for Homeowners already living in our communities include:
- A self generated fund for the hiring of trained personnel who will deal only with manufactured communities.
- Representation on the Quality Review Board, a committee that advises the IDPH. This committee includes homeowners, installers, dealers, and landlords.
Benefits for new home buyers as of January 2002 include:
- Improvement of state laws regulating home set-up.
- Requires a licensed installer on site. The installer must attend classes and pass a test given by the state, every two years to renew the license.
- Legal documentation regarding the set-up, electrical, plumbing, and other mechanicals must be sent to the IDPH for each home.
- An IDPH-issued permanent numbered sticker to guarantee compliance with all state statues.
Revenue for this fund generated from:
- $150 per year for a license
- $25 per home for seal
- $500 per year from each manufacturer who brings a home into Illinois
As of July, about 717 individuals have been certified to apply for a license, and 204 have received licenses. About 525 seals have been sold. Last year, 3,300 homes were brought into Illinois. An estimated 300,000 residents reside in Illinois manufactured home communities, and there are about 2,000 communities.
Homeowners will have to play a part in enforcing this law. Neither local or state departments have the personnel to check every community and every new home set up. If your home was set up after January 1 of this year you need to check for the state sticker located on the outside of the home, below the HUD seal. Also, spread the word and let your new neighbors know about this new law.
If you have questions about your installer, you can contact IDPH at 217-782-5830. Terry Nelson also has an updated list of licensed installers. We can work together to get laws passed, but homeowners need to be aware of new rights that will benefit them. If you know someone, whether a neighbor or someone in another community, let them know MHOAI and its members are working to improve and maintain our community choice. This newsletter and your membership are vital to staying informed about issues that affect you and your community.
During the last two years MHOAI directors have attended many meetings, hearings, and most recently, Terry Nelson attended the senate appropriation hearings working with Senator Chris Lauzen (R-Dist. 21) reminding officials that funds generated towards the hiring of manufactured home inspectors are self generated and should not be put on hold. A special thank you to Dave Albrecht (Monee), Phil Asplund (Elgin), MHOAI directors Jim Webb , Bob Hendrickson, and Terry Nelson who volunteered their time to be on the Quality Review Board advising the IDPH. They proved to be a great team representating homeowner issues.