Michigan Uniform Surety Bond for Manufactured Homes

If you're looking to title a manufactured home in Michigan but don’t have a clear ownership record, you may need to obtain a Michigan Uniform Surety Bond for Manufactured Homes. This bond provides financial protection in case of ownership disputes and ensures compliance with state regulations when applying for a title.

From my experience, homeowners and buyers often discover they need this bond when attempting to register a manufactured home without proper ownership documentation. If you’re in this situation, this guide will walk you through what this bond is, why it’s required, how much it costs, and how to obtain one quickly.

What Is a Michigan Uniform Surety Bond for Manufactured Homes?

A Michigan Uniform Surety Bond for Manufactured Homes is a surety bond required when an individual or business cannot provide a valid certificate of title for a manufactured home. It ensures that if a prior owner, lienholder, or future buyer suffers financial loss due to a title dispute, they can seek compensation from the bond.

This bond is part of the title application process required by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

Key Purposes of the Bond:

✔ Ensures legitimate ownership claims when applying for a title
✔ Protects prior owners, lienholders, and future buyers from financial loss
✔ Guarantees compliance with Michigan’s title laws for manufactured homes
✔ Helps the applicant obtain a legal title when standard documentation is unavailable

If a dispute arises regarding the ownership of the manufactured home, a claim can be filed against the bond. If the claim is valid, the surety company will compensate the affected party, and the bondholder must reimburse the surety for any paid claims.

Who Needs a Michigan Uniform Surety Bond for Manufactured Homes?

You may need this bond if you:

✅ Purchased a manufactured home without receiving a properly assigned title
✅ Lost the original title and cannot obtain a duplicate from the previous owner
✅ Inherited a manufactured home but do not have legal documentation of ownership
✅ Bought a repossessed or abandoned manufactured home and need to obtain legal ownership
✅ Are a business reselling manufactured homes that require legal titles for resale

If your manufactured home is valued over $2,500 and lacks proper ownership documentation, Michigan law requires you to obtain this surety bond before a title can be issued.

Why Is a Michigan Uniform Surety Bond Required?

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) requires this bond to:

✔ Ensure that titles are issued legally and fairly
✔ Protect previous owners and lienholders from unauthorized title transfers
✔ Reduce fraudulent title applications and prevent illegal transfers of ownership
✔ Provide financial security in case of disputes over the manufactured home's ownership

Without this bond, LARA will not issue a title for the manufactured home, leaving it in legal limbo.

How Much Does a Michigan Uniform Surety Bond Cost?

The bond amount required for a Michigan Manufactured Home Bond is twice the appraised value of the manufactured home.

Example Bond Amounts:
📌 If the home is valued at $10,000, the bond amount required will be $20,000
📌 If the home is valued at $15,000, the bond amount required will be $30,000
📌 If the home is valued at $25,000, the bond amount required will be $50,000

Bond Premium (What You Pay)

Instead of paying the full bond amount, you only pay a bond premium, which is a small percentage of the bond amount.

📌 With good credit (700+ score): 1% - 2% of the bond amount
📌 With fair credit (650-699 score): 2% - 4% of the bond amount
📌 With poor credit (below 650): 4% - 10% of the bond amount

For example, if you need a $20,000 bond, you might pay:

• $200 - $400 per year with good credit

• $400 - $800 per year with fair credit

• $800 - $2,000 per year with poor credit

💡 Tip: Working with a specialized surety agency can help you get the best rates, even if your credit isn’t perfect.

How to Obtain a Michigan Uniform Surety Bond for Manufactured Homes

Getting a Manufactured Home Surety Bond in Michigan is simple and fast:

1️⃣ Determine the Manufactured Home’s Value – Obtain an appraisal or market valuation to establish the bond amount required.
2️⃣ Contact a Licensed Surety Provider – Work with a surety company authorized to issue bonds in Michigan.
3️⃣ Complete a Bond Application – Provide personal and manufactured home details, including any available ownership records.
4️⃣ Receive a Quote – Your bond premium will depend on credit score, financial stability, and bond amount required.
5️⃣ Pay for the Bond – Once approved, pay the bond premium to activate your coverage.
6️⃣ Submit the Bond with Your Title Application – File the bond along with your Manufactured Home Title Application (TR-122 Form) to LARA.

Most surety bonds can be issued within 24 hours, allowing you to proceed with titling your manufactured home without unnecessary delays.

What Happens If a Claim Is Filed Against Your Bond?

If a previous owner, lienholder, or another party believes they have a valid ownership claim to the manufactured home, they may file a claim against your bond.

Common Reasons for Bond Claims:

🚨 A previous owner claims the home was wrongfully transferred
🚨 A lienholder states that a loan or debt is still outstanding
🚨 A fraudulent title application is uncovered after the bond was issued

If the claim is valid, the surety company may pay out damages up to the bond amount. However, as the bondholder, you must reimburse the surety company for any claims paid.

To avoid bond claims, ensure that:
✔ All available documentation is accurate and truthful
✔ No outstanding liens or disputes exist before applying for the bond
✔ You have made every effort to contact prior owners or lienholders before securing the bond

Why Choose Axcess Surety for Your Michigan Manufactured Home Bond?

At Axcess Surety, we specialize in helping individuals and businesses secure surety bonds quickly and affordably.

✔ Fast Approvals – Get your bond issued in 24 hours
✔ Competitive Pricing – We offer low rates, even for applicants with credit challenges
✔ Expert Guidance – Our team understands Michigan’s manufactured home title requirements
✔ Easy Online Application – Apply in minutes from anywhere

Get Your Michigan Manufactured Home Bond Today!

Need a Michigan Uniform Surety Bond for a Manufactured Home? We make it fast, easy, and affordable.

🔗 Apply Now or call us today to get started!