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Post by clutterpunk on Apr 14, 2009 23:46:32 GMT -5
So today on my door, I find a notice that the fire department is going to be coming through on three different days this month and installing/checking fire alarms. It says that they will be installing/checking in 'every residence' in the mobile home park I live in.
My question is, do they have the RIGHT to come in? I mean, is this something mandatory and they can just barge in? I own my home, just not the land it's on, and anyway we're in the process of moving out (still neck deep in squalor but we're waiting for the income tax/3 paychecks in may to get the place cleaned up and get into a new one.) So we'll be gone in a month or so anyway. I'm planning to just tell them that, since the landlord said they'll be bull dozing this lot anyway. He doesn't know the state of the house just that it's falling apart and old and being this is a trailer park, they're going to replace it with a double wide, likely.
Anyway, does anyone know what kind of legal rights the fire department actually has in this kind of a situation? This is just a random service thing, not like a complaint filed or an inspection, so I'm wondering if they can just say "let us in" or not.
Any advice/information anyone can give me?
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Apr 15, 2009 1:37:27 GMT -5
- I realize that you OWN the mobile home AND own the land on which it sits. BUT ... you do live in a mobile home park.-
 One possibility:
When regular HOUSES are built in certain wealthy neighborhoods, sometimes there is a "homeowners association" that gives rules and regulations for all the privately owned homes withing the neighborhood? Everyone buying a house and land within that neighborhood has to sign a contract to obey the rules for the right size fence, and color of roof, and amount of junk allowed in the front yard. Etc. etc.
I'm wondering if your mobile home park has something similar? Maybe you signed something when you moved in, but didn't realize it? Or, perhaps you inherited your residence, and it came with rules you were unaware of ?
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- Another possibility:
Perhaps your city, county, or state has a LAW that all mobile home parks must have EVERY unit regularly inspected by the fire department -- regardless of whether the individual units are rented or owned ??
Long ago, I had a brief temp job for a state mobile home association, and I seem to remember that mobile home parks had all sorts of mandatory safety regulations.
You could phone your city or state (anonymously), and ask them if there is any such law on the books.
Regulatory agencies in each state:
www.mobilehome.net/stateagencies.htm
- California Mobile Home Owners:
www.mfghomeowners.net
- Florida Mobile Home Owners:
www.fmo.org
- Here is a link to mobile home landlord-tenant law. I realize that you are NOT a tenant. But you might be able to follow the links as "clues" -- to tell you who to contact in your area for more information.
Click on your state to get the mobile home tenant laws in your state.
www.mobilehome.net/mh_tenant_rights.htm
note: On the upper right corner of that link, you'll see the word "REGULATORY". Under that you'll see links give phone numbers of state, local, and national organizations. Perhaps a phone call will give you more info.
- Another resource:
Go to www.lawhelp.org
then click on your state,
then click on housing.
Within the housing menu, you might find only landlord-tenant law. Try it anyhow, because it might give you links to elsewhere.
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- One more idea:
It's entirely possible that the fire department doesn't know you OWN your unit. They may have put a generic form on the front door of every unit in your mobile home park. Why not phone them anonymously and politely ask them if there was an error?
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Post by 60isolderthanithot on Apr 15, 2009 9:03:55 GMT -5
Why not call the Fire Department and ask?
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Post by survivorgurl on Apr 15, 2009 12:20:33 GMT -5
I would be prepared if they are going to come in. Make sure all your exits are clear. Check the city codes for fire regualtions. At least do the minimum required by law. Please remember, the firemen have MOST CERTAINLY seen worse and try not to worry. Just get what you can done so that you feel more prepared.
I know this isn't fair and you don't want them coming in, I just want you to be ready if they do. We had an apartment fire 7 years ago, and I had to leave the squalor in flames. Nothing I could do about it. So, be thankful for a warning and deal with it the best you can. Plenty of people here to support you if you need help.
Many hugs .. you will survive this!
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Post by Meme on Apr 15, 2009 22:37:15 GMT -5
and remember that they are doing this to save your life and the neighbors- we just had a fire that started in one home and spread quickly to the neighbors- thank God both families got out because of fire alarms and help- homes are gone but lives are saved-
not quite sure if you already have alarms in your home and if you do- are they safe ??
it is so important to stay safe all the time- fires do not wait for a convient time for us-
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