Mobile Home Tax Clearance

Important Notice to All Sellers and Buyers of Mobile Homes

The Department of Housing and Community Development of the State of California records Mobile Home registration. ONLY the Department of Housing and Community Development is authorized to transfer title of your mobile home. The transfer process BEGINS with a Tax Clearance Certificate issued by the local County Tax Collector. The applicant sends the Tax Clearance Certificate, signed Certificate of Title and other paperwork to the Department of Housing and Community Development. 

This Tax Clearance Certificate states that the Local Property Taxes for a given Mobile Home have been paid. Since by their nature, Mobile Homes can move, the State of California uses this to insure the counties have received these taxes. If a Certificate is to be valid between January 1st (when values for all properties are calculated and assesses are listed) and September 1st (when the new Taxes are available), an estimated amount for this new Tax Year shall also be collected. 

The Department of Housing and Community Development records the change of ownership and notifies the local County Assessor of the completed transaction. ONLY when such notification is received shall the Seller's name be removed from the assessment roll and the Buyer's name added to the roll. 

The AVERAGE TIME TO TRANSFER TITLE IS TWO MONTHS; Any errors or discrepancies submitted by sellers, buyers or agents may increase this time up to another six months to one year. It is critical that all documentation be submitted correctly. 

The Tulare County Assessor is currently backlogged. It is taking them up to five to eight months to process the changes when they receive the change of ownership from the Department of Housing and Community Development. If you have not received your tax bill by November 1st, contact us to verify the amount. 

If you will be living in the mobile home, you may be eligible for Homeowner’s Exemption.  This may save you up to $70.00 per year on your taxes. When you receive your new title from the Department of Housing and Community Development, visit the Tulare County Assessor to apply for this exemption.

             
SELLER: Your responsibility does not end until your name is removed from the assessment roll.  Until the title is changed on the assessment roll, you will receive the tax billing.  If taxes are not paid, the lien will be recorded against you, as the owner of record. 

BUYER: Although you may not receive a tax bill immediately, you will ultimately be responsible for paying taxes every December 10th, and April 10th. If you do not receive a tax bill by November 1st, contact us immediately for a copy. Each unpaid tax bill can result in a personal lien against you.

There is a $14 charge for duplicate Tax Clearance Certificates.

To request a Tax Clearance Certificate for a Mobile Home using our online form, please select the appropriate link below.

• I am an escrow officer.
• I am transferring a mobile home or acting on behalf of someone transferring a mobile home.

Download the Request for Mobile Home Tax Clearance Certificate (PDF)