Frequently Asked Questions

Manufactured home retailers and manufacturers are required to notify a consumer about the HUD DRP. You may find more information in the HUD sample disclosure form, the Retailer FAQ brochure, and in your Manufacturer’s Consumer Manual.

The location in which your home is installed determines who can assist. Please visit the Contact a State page to see if the home state location is listed. If your state has an agency listed, then you may reach out to them for support. If a state agency is not listed, please request assistance from the HUD Manufactured Home Dispute Resolution Program.

New homes, located in HUD dispute resolution states, are eligible so long as the unresolved issue was reported to the home manufacturer, retailer, installer, State Administrative Agency, or HUD during the one-year period beginning on the date of installation, the homeowner is the first owner of the home, and a complete request for dispute resolution is received by HUD.

Be sure that your initial report of an alleged defect is date-stamped and in writing or electronic format so that there will be proof of the date of delivery. Also, make a copy to keep with your records so that you have proof in your possession. Persons who report an alleged defect by telephone should make a contemporaneous note of the telephone call, including date, time, the name of the person who received the report, the name of the business contacted, and the telephone number called.

If an issue arises with your manufactured home, you should first contact your retailer or the home manufacturer. Most issues can be resolved in a timely manner. If the retailer or home manufacturer is not able to resolve your issue, the second contact should be the State Administrative Agency or HUD.

Unless the reported defect poses an excessive risk of injury, death, or significant loss or damage to valuable personal property, homeowners and reporting parties are advised to wait for a reasonable period for a satisfactory resolution before seeking assistance from the HUD Manufactured Home Dispute Resolution Program.

Visit the Submit a Dispute page to learn how to submit a request for dispute resolution.

The HUDDRP program is free for homeowners and there are no fees associated with submitting a request or participating in the dispute resolution process. However, if you choose to hire an attorney or other legal representative to assist you in the dispute resolution process, you may be responsible for paying their fees. The HUDDRP is designed to be a cost-effective and efficient means of resolving disputes and is intended to provide an alternative to costly and time-consuming litigation.

While homeowners are not considered parties to the dispute resolution process between the manufacturer, retailer, and/or installer, they are entitled to observe the process and will receive a report on the outcome.

First, the Federal dispute resolution neutral screener will review your complaint. If the alleged issues violate the Manufactured Construction and Safety Standards or the Model Installation Standards, the screener will notify the parties in writing. If the parties have not initiated an alternative dispute process within seven (7) days after receiving the notice, the screener will refer the matter to mediation.

Once a settlement is reached, all parties will be informed of the outcome of mediation in writing. If the issue(s) cannot be resolved after thirty (30) days of the settlement, or if any party is unsatisfied with the result, any party can request nonbinding arbitration.

The length of time it takes to resolve an issue through the HUD Manufactured Home Dispute Resolution Program can vary. When complaints go to mediation, the program allows up to thirty (30) days from the start of mediation to reach a settlement. If an issue poses an unreasonable threat of injury or significant loss or damage to valuable personal property, only ten (10) days are allowed to reach settlement. If issues are not resolved through mediation and proceed to non-binding arbitration, the amount of time for resolution can vary by case.

If you are dissatisfied with the mediated agreement, you have the option to request nonbinding arbitration.

Nonbinding arbitration in the HUDDRP (HUD's Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program) process is a type of dispute resolution in which an impartial third party, known as an arbitrator, listens to the arguments and evidence presented by both parties and makes a decision. However, unlike binding arbitration, the decision made by the arbitrator in nonbinding arbitration is not final and does not have to be accepted by either party. In HUDDRP, nonbinding arbitration may be used as a final step in the DRP process if all parties agree to it. HUD will review and issue a final order. Failure to comply with an order is a violation of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act.