House Bill 442 (HB 442) relates to mobile homes, amending definitions; providing rent stabilization; revising and expanding private remedies; and prescribing civil penalties.  

 House Bill 442 (HB 442) amends Section 47-10-2 NMSA 1978, stating that the definition of “mobile home” includes “manufactured homes,” and the definition of “mobile home park,” includes “manufactured home park.”

A new section is added to the Mobile Home Park Act, providing that after July 1, 2025, a landlord may increase a tenant's rent only once within a twelve-month period. The rent from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 may not increase by more than three percent of the prior rent amount. After June 30, 2026, the total annual rent increase may not exceed five percent.
Section 47-10-23 NMSA 1978 is amended to change penalties for landlord violations from five hundred dollars ($500) to two times the amount of the total monthly rent, and to make clear that ach violation by a landlord of Sections 47-10-19 through 47-10-22 NMSA 1978 is an unfair or deceptive trade practice, and is subject to legal claims under  the Unfair Practices Act.

 

 Current law does not make it clear that “manufactured homes” should be considered the same as “mobile homes;” does not limit frequency and amount of rent increases as proposed; and does not categorize related violations as unfair or deceptive trade practices. 

 Committee Substitute March 8, 2025 in HJC

HJCcs/HB 442: The House Judiciary Committee Substitute for House Bill 442 makes the following changes:

•	The section on “rent stabilization” is renamed as “rent fairness”, and provides an exception regarding rent increases;
•	A clause is added regarding civil penalties, stating that residents may withhold specified amounts of rent for certain violations;
•	A section is added to provide for requirements of landlords and residents regarding utilities; and
•	The “mobile home parks work group” is created, and membership requirements and duties are detailed.