County mobilehome owners encouraged to apply for tax, fee waiver program

As many as 1,550 Tulare County residents who purchased a mobilehome or manufactured home, but didn’t receive the necessary title to the property have the opportunity to properly register their homes during a Fee and Tax Waiver Program mobile event Tuesday in Visalia — and avoid paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars in state and local taxes, fees and penalties.

Tulare County has 4,663 mobilehomes, and as many as one-third — or about 1,550 mobilehome owners — could benefit from the new state program. You can learn more about the Fee and Tax Waiver Program at www.registeryourmobilehomeca.org.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the state agency administering the program, will hold free mobile event for owners from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Self-help Enterprises, 8445 Elowin Ct., Visalia.

Mobilehome and manufactured home owners are urged to apply for the Fee and Tax Waiver Program, which helps them avoid problems when the owner doesn’t have the title and registration. In many cases, owners never realized the property was supposed to be titled and registered, while others wanted a title but couldn’t afford to pay the back state and local taxes and fees.

“This program gives people who acquired a home but didn’t get the proper documentation a one-time opportunity to correct their situation and not have to pay many back taxes, fees and penalties often incurred by prior owners,” said HCD Director Ben Metcalf.

Without title and registration, owners can face liens on their homes for unpaid taxes and fees, which prevents them from legally selling the home or transferring it to a loved one. Homeowners may also be unable to get fire insurance or building permits for major improvements, and may not be eligible for financial assistance and rebates from utility providers.

If you are not able to attend the mobile event Tuesday, you can apply by contacting Housing and Community Development representatives 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about the Fee and Tax Waiver Program, visit www.registeryourmobilehomeca.org or call 800-952-8356. Assistance is available in all languages.