MHOAI can work toward getting needed laws passed. Unless the homeowners are aware of laws that are not being practiced by the owner operator of the community (landlord) they can go unseen and unreported to the correct agency. In March of 2002 MHOAI worked with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) allowing Illinois to join 36 other states in an effort to provide greater assistance for manufactured homeowners. Illinois became a state with a Service Administrative Agent (SAA) via the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As an SAA the IDPH is responsible for investigating complaints related to the construction and installation of homes. The IDPH is required to work with the homeowner, dealer, manufacturer and installer to resolve problems. The SAA can still help homeowners past the duration of the warranty. If you have issues that are not being taken care of regarding the construction or installation of your home, you need to contact the IDPH and/or MHOAI.

In August of 2001 The Manufactured Home Quality Assurance Act was signed into law. This required the IDPH to establish regulations for installation of homes and a process to license the installers. Installation of manufactured homes must be done under the onsite supervision of a state licensed manufactured home installer and a seal put on the outside of the home beside the HUD seal. Homeowners should receive paperwork with information from the licensed installer. There are owner operators of communities who are not complying. Pre-owned homes that have been relocated are also required to be set up by a state licensed installer.

MHOAI directors are working with the IDPH towards better enforcement of these laws, but if wrong doing is not reported it makes it hard to maintain the goals these laws were put in place for. The IDPH put in place an 800 number for homeowners with questions or complaints dealing with these issues.

A state licensed installer is required to take a class and pass a test. The licensed installer is than given a picture ID. If you are not sure the installer is state licensed, ask to see the ID. You can then call the IDPH to confirm this person is licensed or report that the installer may not be licensed. Also, the seal that is put on the outside of the home once installation is completed will have a number. If issues arise in the future, this seal number will allow the IDPH to contact the installer that purchased the seal. Complaint Hotline 800-492-2645.