questions & answers

Question: I am looking to purchase a mobile home on a rented lot. The mobile home has a shattered sliding glass door and the swamp cooler is not working. Are these things the landlord is required to have fixed before I purchase the home? I'm not really concerned about the swamp cooler as I own window units, but concerned about the door. The glass was completely shattered on the mobile side of door, presumably by previous tenant who was evicted.

Answer: Anyone who is considering either purchasing or renting a home that requires repairs should demand – in a writing that is signed and dated by both parties and is included as part of the purchase or rental agreement – that the repairs be completed to the satisfaction of the purchaser or renter as a condition of the contract. That way, the purchaser or renter will not be stuck with an unrepaired home if and when the other party refuses to make the repairs even if they are legally required to do so.