Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: House guests

The park owner is correct. California Civil Code � 798.34 provides that anyone who is not a registered, legal occupant of the home is a guest. They are allowed to stay, without additional charge, for 20 consecutive days, or no more than 30 total days in the period of a year. Once they exceed that timeframe, the park owner can force you to register them (in other words, the park can run their credit, contact prior landlords, etc...). If you fail to register them as occupants of the park, then the park owner can evict them, or charge you for their presence. While I appreciate your desire to help someone out, you have to understand that mobile home parks are extremely unique - they are essentially a joint-venture or cooperative between the park owner (who owns the land) and you as the homeowner. A very specific set of laws has developed to address this unique homeownership arrangement, and in some instances (such as what you describe) it results in what are sometimes considered to be less-than optimal results. I would probably not let the park evict them because then you are technically breaking the park rules, and subject to eviction yourself. Best to help them find a new place to live, or register them with the park as legal occupants before you get yourself evicted and lose your home also.

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