Chapter 9. Mobilehome Ombudsman of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 13. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 9.

The Legislature finds and declares that increasing numbers of Californians live in manufactured homes and mobilehomes and that most of those manufactured home and mobilehome owners reside in mobilehome parks. Because of the growing number of problems and complaints dealing with various aspects of living in manufactured homes and mobilehomes, it is necessary to designate a Mobilehome Ombudsman within the Department of Housing and Community Development to better provide assistance to the public in handling and coordinating the resolution to those problems and complaints.

(a) The position of mobilehome ombudsman is hereby established in the Department of Housing and Community Development.
  (b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), the ombudsman shall provide assistance in taking complaints, and helping to resolve and coordinate the resolution of those complaints, from the public relating to manufactured homes and mobilehomes, including, but not limited to, problems of titling and registration, installation, warranties, financing, other than financing by a supervised financial organization, as defined in Section 1801.6 of the Civil Code, sales, inspection of homes and parks, mobilehome accessories and improvements, and problems relating to the Mobilehome Residency Law (Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 798) of Title 2 of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Civil Code).
  (c) The ombudsman shall not arbitrate, mediate, negotiate, or provide legal advice on mobilehome park rent disputes, lease or rental agreements, or disputes arising from lease or rental agreements, but may provide information on these issues.
  (d) The ombudsman shall refer any alleged violations of law or regulations within the Department of Housing and Community Development's jurisdiction to the Division of Codes and Standards within the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The Governor shall designate a deputy director in the Department of Housing and Community Development to serve as the Mobilehome Ombudsman.

The Mobilehome Ombudsman shall establish procedures to deal with complaints, including the publication of complaint forms and written materials which shall be made available to the public informing them of the functions of the Mobilehome Ombudsman and providing information on manufactured homes and mobilehomes. The ombudsman shall work with, and coordinate his or her efforts with, other divisions and sections of the department and with other agencies of state and local government.