According to a statistic from the U.S. census in 1990, in all 19 states, every one of the houses is a mobile home. South Carolina is a popular state for mobile homeowners for its beautiful weather and great community and benefits. Mobile homes have become an incredibly popular option for new homeowners looking for affordable housing and old people looking to retire in a sunshine state on a budget. Mobile homes offer the top choice for an affordable price, averaging around $83,400. RP on mobile homes mean real property. Mobile homes are often regarded as personal property rather than real property. Understanding the difference between these two is crucial as it determines whether the county tax collector pays the fees. It also impacts how the title gets transferred.
In this article, we’ll explore what RP means in a mobile home in South Carolina.
Let’s dive in.
Is A Mobile Home Personal Property Or Real Property?
Depending on whether a mobile home owner also owns the land and has permanently tied the property to the land, the mobile home may be classified as real property or personal property.
Mobile homes are evaluated and taxed yearly in cases like these, much like traditional homes. You can access this data on the county property appraiser and tax collector’s websites. Additionally, in states, such as South Carolina, owners must obtain a real property (RP) decal.
However, if the mobile homeowner does not own the land, it is classified as personal property. And a yearly tax is imposed on the land by the DMV (Department Of Vehicle Motors). A decal for your mobile home may also be required in some states like South Carolina.
Personal property includes movable items, whereas real property encompasses land and structures or objects fixed to it. Physical items that can be touched and felt are considered tangible property. Both real and personal property fall under the category of tangible property.
Do Mobile Homes Have Titles?
Mobile homes need to have titles regardless if the property is personal or real. A title is essential for buying or selling any mobile home.
If you didn’t receive a title for your mobile home while buying it or you’ve lost it, you need to acquire the duplicate. The process of attaining the duplicate title is similar to the process of vehicles. Because it has a VIN, you can get it done through your state’s Department of Vehicle Motors or Department of Transportation.
When purchasing a mobile home, the previous owner must sign over the title to you. However, if the previous owner is not available, you will need to perform a level 3 or 4 recovery in order to obtain a new title for your mobile home.
How Do You Convert A Mobile Home From Personal Property To Real Property?
You can convert your mobile home’s status from personal to real. You need to register the title with the Department of Motor Vehicles as “retired” to cease those fees. Following this, the owner must begin paying property taxes to the county assessor.
Every state has its unique procedure for converting personal property to real property. First, you need to record your land documents with the county clerk. Then get the owner to submit a sworn statement that the home is permanently attached to the land then fill out a form at court.
How To Get A Real Property Sticker?
To get an RP sticker you need to go to the property appraiser’s office with the registration or title of your mobile home. The staff will help you complete a form declaring the mobile home as a real property. Then, take the form to the tax collector’s office and you can buy the RP sticker from there.
Title Search For Mobile Homes
Doing a bit of title search before buying your mobile home can be incredibly beneficial in the long run. Here are a few tips to help you with that:
- The title transfer process differs. In a conventional “stick-built” home, a deed is used for the transfer, recorded in public records. With a mobile home, it can have a title from the Department of Vehicle Motors or a deed, depending on its attachment to the land.
- Look for undisclosed issues beyond public records, including mobile homes. A municipal lien search reveals problems such as unpaid utility bills or pending code violations not officially recorded as home liens by the county.
- Ask the owner if he has the title
To Wrap It Up
In South Carolina, understanding the significance of RP on a mobile home is vital, as it determines whether the property is considered real or personal property, affecting taxation and title transfer. So, understanding the distinctions between real and personal property is essential for mobile homeowners in South Carolina and elsewhere.
