Texas Manufactured Home Warranty Laws: What Buyers Need to Know

Texas gives manufactured home buyers stronger statutory warranty protection than most buyers realize. Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1201, every new manufactured home sold in the state carries a one-year manufacturer warranty plus a separate one-year installation warranty, and those rights cannot be waived. Used homes sold by licensed TDHCA retailers get a 60-day habitability warranty. Knowing how these warranties work, how to preserve them, and how to file a TDHCA complaint when a seller refuses to honor one can save you thousands.

Quick Answer: New manufactured homes in Texas come with two mandatory 1-year warranties: one from the manufacturer for materials and workmanship, one from the licensed installer for setup. Used homes from TDHCA retailers get a 60-day habitability warranty. Private-party used sales are as-is. Always report defects in writing, keep every receipt, and file a TDHCA complaint early if the seller drags their feet.

Warranty Rights on a New Manufactured Home

A "new" manufactured home under Texas law is one that has never been occupied for residential use. The moment someone lives in it, the legal status changes. Before that occupation happens, Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1201 requires two independent warranty obligations:

• Manufacturer warranty (Section 1201.451): Covers materials, workmanship, and structural components of the home itself. Minimum one year from the date the consumer first occupies the home.
• Installer warranty (Section 1201.453): Covers installation workmanship, including leveling, blocking, anchoring, skirting, utility connections, and related setup work performed by a TDHCA-licensed installer. Minimum one year from installation completion.

Retailers often add their own retailer warranty on top of these, typically 60 to 90 days covering appliances and cosmetic items. These statutory warranties are not disclaimable. A contract that says "sold as-is" on a new home does not override Chapter 1201. The warranty runs with the home to a second owner within the one-year period.

What the Warranties Cover and What They Do Not

The practical scope of coverage depends on which warranty you are invoking. The table below shows what generally falls under each.

Defect type	Manufacturer	Installer	Retailer (if offered)
Structural framing, roof leaks from design	Yes	No	Usually no
Appliances (range, fridge, HVAC)	Often via pass-through manufacturer warranty	No	Often yes (short term)
Plumbing leaks at factory connections	Yes	No	Sometimes
Plumbing leaks at site connections	No	Yes	No
HVAC factory installation	Yes	No	No
Leveling, sagging after setup	No	Yes	No
Anchoring and tie-down defects	No	Yes	No
Skirting installation	No	Yes (if performed by installer)	No
Cosmetic (scuffs, trim)	Usually excluded	Usually excluded	Short term yes
Consumer-caused damage	No	No	No

Cosmetic defects, normal wear and tear, and consumer-caused damage are not covered. Chapter 1201 allows the manufacturer to require documentation and a reasonable opportunity to inspect and repair before the warranty is deemed breached.

Used Manufactured Home Warranties in Texas

Used manufactured homes fall into two categories, and the difference matters a lot:

• Sold by a licensed TDHCA retailer: A 60-day habitability warranty applies, covering working heat, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and structural components. The retailer must disclose known defects in the Consumer Disclosure form.
• Sold by a private party or FSBO: No statutory warranty. The sale is as-is, and the buyer's protection comes from the inspection, the seller's disclosure, and any written contract terms.

This is why a pre-purchase inspection is non-negotiable on a private-party used home. Our manufactured home inspection guide walks through what to check and which Texas inspectors specialize in manufactured housing.

How to Preserve Your Warranty Rights

Warranty claims die from paperwork errors more often than from legitimate disputes. Protect yourself from day one:

1. Keep the paperwork: Retain your Consumer Disclosure, bill of sale, installation certificate, HUD data plate photo, and all retailer and manufacturer warranty documents. Scan them and email a copy to yourself.
2. Document the delivery condition: Photograph every exterior and interior surface at delivery and again after installation. Time-stamped photos defeat later "pre-existing damage" arguments.
3. Report defects in writing: Phone calls do not count. Email or send certified letters to the retailer, manufacturer, and installer with dated descriptions, photos, and a reasonable repair request.
4. Give reasonable access: Chapter 1201 requires owners to allow the warranty provider a reasonable chance to inspect and repair. Refusing access weakens your claim.
5. Follow maintenance requirements: Periodic HVAC filter changes, skirting ventilation, and foundation checks are usually required. Skipping them can void coverage.
6. Escalate on a timeline: If the warranty provider does not respond within 30 days of a written request, file a TDHCA complaint.

Filing a TDHCA Warranty Complaint

If a manufacturer, retailer, or installer will not honor a warranty, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Manufactured Housing Division has authority to order compliance. Filing is free and relatively straightforward.

Submit the MHD Consumer Complaint Form available at tdhca.texas.gov/manufactured-housing. You will need:

• Copy of bill of sale, Statement of Ownership, and installation certificate
• Warranty documents from the manufacturer, installer, and retailer
• Written repair request you sent, plus any responses received
• Dated photos of the defects and evidence of damage
• Timeline of events, including who was notified and when

TDHCA routes the complaint to the responsible party with a statutory response deadline. If the provider still refuses or the repair is unsatisfactory, TDHCA can order a re-inspection, hold an administrative hearing, and impose fines or suspend licenses. TDHCA may also order repairs be made at the provider's expense. The HUD Manufactured Housing Program handles federal-level complaints for HUD Code violations, but routine warranty disputes belong to TDHCA.

Timelines and Deadlines

Missing deadlines kills warranty cases faster than anything else. Memorize these:

Action	Deadline
Report a defect in writing	Within the warranty period (typically 1 year); best practice within 30 days of discovery
Allow warranty provider to inspect	Reasonable time after notice, usually within 30 days
File TDHCA complaint after unresolved defect	Before warranty expires and within 2 years of the breach
File DTPA lawsuit	2 years from discovery of breach (Texas Bus. & Comm. Code 17.565)
Used home habitability warranty from TDHCA retailer	60 days from occupancy

Mediation and the DTPA

TDHCA offers informal dispute resolution and, for more serious cases, an administrative hearing process. Most warranty complaints resolve at the administrative level without litigation.

If TDHCA remedies do not work, the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) provides a private right of action for breach of express or implied warranty. Successful DTPA claimants can recover actual damages, mental anguish (in knowing violations), up to three times economic damages, and attorney's fees. An attorney experienced in manufactured housing or consumer protection should evaluate whether DTPA is a good fit. For a full overview of the state-level rules that govern the industry, see our Texas manufactured home regulations guide, and make sure your title paperwork is correct with our Statement of Ownership guide.

Red Flags That Warn of Warranty Trouble

Spotting a bad retailer before closing is easier than chasing one afterward. Watch for:

• Unlicensed retailers or installers: Verify license status on the TDHCA public lookup before signing anything
• Verbal promises not written into the contract
• Pressure to sign a waiver or "as-is" addendum on a new home (Chapter 1201 warranties cannot be waived)
• Installer that is not a separately licensed TDHCA installer
• Missing or altered HUD data plate or certification label
• Prior TDHCA complaints against the retailer, manufacturer, or installer (public records)
• Refusal to provide the manufacturer's written warranty document before closing

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Texas manufactured home warranty transfer to a second buyer?

Yes, within the original warranty period. If you buy a two-year-old home with nine months left on its installer warranty, those nine months transfer to you. You must notify the warranty provider in writing of the ownership change and provide documentation.

Who pays for transportation and labor during warranty repairs?

The responsible party pays. Under Chapter 1201, manufacturers and installers are responsible for the cost of transporting parts, labor, and any temporary accommodations required for significant repairs during the warranty period. Out-of-pocket costs should be documented and submitted for reimbursement.

Can a TDHCA retailer refuse a used home warranty because the buyer bought as-is?

The 60-day habitability warranty on used homes sold by licensed TDHCA retailers is statutory and cannot be waived for basic systems (heat, cooling, plumbing, electrical). Cosmetic and non-habitability items can be sold as-is, but a retailer attempting to waive habitability likely violates TDHCA rules.

What if the manufacturer goes out of business during my warranty period?

You can still file a TDHCA complaint. Texas requires manufacturers to maintain a surety bond or other security (see Occupations Code Sec. 1201.105) that can pay warranty claims in some insolvency scenarios. TDHCA can also help coordinate replacement parts or alternative repair providers.

Do warranties cover damage from Texas weather, hail, or hurricanes?

No. Weather damage is a homeowner's insurance claim, not a warranty claim. This is why manufactured home insurance is critical, especially in wind zones. Installer warranties do cover anchoring and tie-down workmanship, so if a storm exposes defective setup, that portion may be covered.

Buying a new or used manufactured home and want to make sure the paperwork and warranties are airtight before you sign? Mobile Buy Buy reviews retailer contracts and installation paperwork for buyers every week. Call (737) 777-9437 or start a buyer inquiry and we'll help you avoid the mistakes that kill warranty claims later.