Is it legal to sell a mobile home in the state of Tennessee without a title?
Manufactured Homes November 17th, 2009I recently purchased a mobile home in the state of Tennessee & upon paying it off, the seller advised me he did not have a title for the home, and presented me with a bill of sale. Is this legal? Also, is there a way to research this mobile home’s title?
November 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am
You can research the title by getting the ID# off the outside of the trailer, if the prior owner didn’t remove them, which is illegial. Before he sold you the mobile home, he should have told you there was no title, and given you the option of backing out of the sale. You do have legal recourse, if this is the path you want to take, but you’ll have to have an Attorney do the legal work for you. Get the ID# and go to the Manufacturer of the unit. Without this information, there is no way to research the title to see if it’s clear. Chances are there are liens against it or possibly stolen.
And putting all of this aside, there’s probably no way for you to obtain insurance.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am
consult a lawyer in tennessee. try a callin show and ask this question or go to a state governemnt website and see if you cannot get your question answered.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am
First of all, no money should have ever exchanged hands w/out title also presented or research already done. How do you know it’s not "HOT", if you know what I mean. Not sure whom to contact about research (try your county clerk’s office, since it is a MOBILE item), provide them w/ VIN# off the mobile home and previous owner – he may have just lost it and you can apply for a "lost title". I’m sure if they are not the ones you need to speak w/ they can tell you whom to contact.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am
TN Code 55-3-101. Motor vehicles subject to registration and certificate of title provisions
(a) Every motor vehicle or motorized bicycle, as defined in chapter 8 of this title, and every trailer, semi-trailer, and pole trailer as defined by ยง 55-1-105, when driven or moved upon a highway, and every mobile home or house trailer when occupied shall be subject to the registration and certificate of title provisions of chapters 1-6 of this title
November 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am
yes and no….if the seller legally holds title he has not committed fraud in selling to you and the bill of sale proves you bought it and now it is yours. you did however take a "gamble" when you didn’t do a title search or get a separate mortgage. when you gamble and in this case you did and you cannot spot a sucker it is because you are the sucker!!!