Mobile Home Lot Rent Laws Explained (2025 Guide)
Understand Your Rights as a Tenant in a Texas Mobile Home Park
If you live in a mobile home park in Texas, chances are you’ve asked:
“Can the park just raise my lot rent whenever they want?”
You’re not alone. As manufactured housing grows in popularity — especially in cities like Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas — thousands of Texans are dealing with unpredictable rent hikes from mobile home park owners.
This 2025 guide explains what the law says, your rights, and how to protect yourself from unfair increases.
🔹 1. Can a Mobile Home Park Legally Raise Lot Rent in Texas?
Yes — but there are rules.
In Texas, mobile home parks fall under the Texas Property Code, Title 8, Chapter 94, which outlines how parks must treat tenants of manufactured housing.
Under this law, a park can legally raise lot rent, but only if it follows specific procedures, including written notice, timing, and non-retaliation clauses.
Key Legal Source:
📜 Texas Property Code § 94.053 – Rent Increases and Notices
🔹 2. What Kind of Notice Is Required Before a Rent Increase?
By law, mobile home park owners must give at least 60 days’ written notice before increasing lot rent.
The notice must be:
- In writing
- Delivered either:
- In person
- By certified mail
- Or posted at your mobile home in a visible spot
- Clearly state:
- The current rent
- The new rent
- The date the new rent takes effect
🚫 If they give less than 60 days’ notice, the rent increase is invalid under Texas law.
🔹 3. How Often Can Rent Be Increased?
No legal limit exists on how often a park can raise lot rent, but your lease might protect you.
Most common situations:
- Fixed-term leases (12-month): Rent is usually locked in for the lease term. Increases can only take effect upon renewal.
- Month-to-month tenants: The park may raise rent with 60 days’ notice, even multiple times yearly.
🔎 Pro Tip: Always check your lease. Some may include a rent escalation clause, which allows specific scheduled increases.
🔹 4. Is There a Limit on How Much Rent Can Be Raised?
Unfortunately, Texas does not have rent control for mobile home parks.
That means:
- There is no cap on how much the lot rent can increase
- Increases of 10%, 20%, or even 50% may be legal if the proper notice is given
📉 This lack of protection has led to residents being priced out of parks they’ve lived in for years, especially when new owners purchase the land and raise rents aggressively.
“Rent hikes of $150–$300/month are becoming more common in privately owned parks across Texas.”
— Texas Manufactured Housing Association, 2024 Report
Also Read: Eviction Laws for Mobile Homes in Texas (2025 Guide)
🔹 5. Can a Rent Increase Be Retaliatory or Discriminatory?
No. Retaliatory rent increases are illegal.
Under Texas Property Code § 94.251, a landlord may not raise rent as retaliation within 6 months after a tenant:
- Files a complaint with a government agency
- Reports a code violation
- Joins or organizes a tenants’ association
- Requests repairs or enforces lease rights
🚨 If the increase happens shortly after one of these actions, it may be illegal retaliation — even if they gave 60 days’ notice.
✅ What to do:
- Keep written proof of your complaint or action
- Send a formal dispute letter
- Contact the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
🔹 6. How to Dispute an Unfair or Illegal Rent Increase
If you believe the increase violates Texas law or your lease terms, take these steps:
✅ 1. Document Everything
- Save your original lease
- Keep a copy of the rent increase notice
- Record the delivery method and date
✅ 2. Compare the Lease Terms
- Look for clauses that limit mid-lease increases
- Check if the lease sets a max rent or includes stabilization promises
✅ 3. Respond Formally
- Use a Rent Dispute Letter Template (we provide one free)
- Send via certified mail or email to the park manager or landlord
✅ 4. File a Complaint (if necessary)
- Contact TDHCA’s Manufactured Housing Division
- Or Texas RioGrande Legal Aid if you need free legal help
📥 [Download Free Dispute Letter Template →]
🔹 7. What Happens If You Refuse to Pay the New Rent?
If the increase was legal and proper notice was given, refusing to pay can lead to:
- Late fees
- Eviction proceedings
- Termination of lease
However, if the rent increase was not legally valid, you may have a defense in court.
📚 Related article: [Can They Evict You Over Rent Disputes in Texas?]
🔹 8. Who Can You Contact for Help?
If you’re facing a significant or sudden rent increase, here are resources you can trust:
🏛️ Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs (TDHCA)
- 📞 (877) 313-3023
- 🌐 https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/manufactured-housing/
⚖️ Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Free legal help for eligible residents
- 🌐 https://www.trla.org/
🏢 HUD Mobile Home Complaint Office
- For federal habitability or discrimination issues
💬 Tenant Union or Facebook Groups
- Many local tenant groups are organizing against unfair park practices.
🧠 FAQ – Common Questions About Lot Rent Increases in Texas
Q1: Can they raise my rent during an active lease?
No, unless your lease explicitly allows it.
Q2: Is verbal notice enough?
No. Only a written notice is valid under the law.
Q3: Can they backdate the increase?
No — they can only charge the new rate after the 60-day notice window.
Q4: What if I’m on Section 8?
Lot rent increases still apply, but must be approved by the housing authority in many cases.
📌 Summary: What You Need to Know
| ✅ Rule | 📜 Texas Law |
| 60 Days’ Written Notice Required | §94.053 |
| No Limit on Amount of Increase | ❌ No Rent Cap |
| Retaliation Is Illegal | §94.251 |
| Lease Terms Override Month-to-Month Rules | ✔️ Lease Wins |
| Disputes Must Be Documented | ✔️ Paper Trail Matters |
📥 Download: Free Texas Rent Dispute Letter Template
Use this ready-to-send letter if your park gives an illegal or excessive rent hike.
👉 [Click Here to Download PDF]
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✊ Final Thoughts
Living in a mobile home park shouldn’t mean living without rights. While Texas lacks rent control, the law offers protections, especially against retaliation and unfair treatment.
By knowing the rules, documenting every notice, and standing your ground, you can protect your home — and maybe even your entire community.
🗣️ Share this guide with other Texas renters who may not know their rights. Let’s empower tenants — one article at a time.