Is the Illinois manufactured housing installer bond required by the state or federal government?
This bond is required by federal HUD regulations under 24 CFR 3286.205, not by Illinois state law. Illinois currently has no statewide requirements for the entire installation of manufactured homes at the state level. However, installers who operate under HUD's installation program and seek a HUD installer license must comply with the federal bond requirement. HUD may request proof of the bond at any time, and installers must notify HUD of any changes or cancellations to their coverage.
What are the bond coverage options for Illinois manufactured housing installers?
Illinois manufactured housing installers have five HUD-approved coverage options under 24 CFR 3286.205: (1) Surety bond only - $100,000 sufficient to replace the home, (2) Irrevocable letter of credit only - amount sufficient to replace the home, (3) Surety bond + insurance - $10,000 bond plus general liability insurance listing HUD as additional insured, (4) Letter of credit + insurance - $10,000 LOC plus $250,000 general liability policy, or (5) Insurance only - $250,000 general liability covering warranty issues for one year post-installation with no deductible. The bond or coverage must be maintained continuously for the license to remain valid.
Who can file a claim against an Illinois manufactured housing installer bond?
Homeowners who suffer damage to their manufactured home or its supports caused by installer errors during installation can file claims against the bond. HUD may also initiate claims for violations of installation standards. Valid claims include foundation problems, structural damage, utility connection errors, improper anchoring, or any installation defects requiring repair or replacement. The surety investigates each claim and pays valid claims up to the bond amount, then seeks reimbursement from the installer.