Montana Form MOHO (Statement to Declare a Manufactured Home an Improvement to Real Property) is an official document used to legally change the status of an older manufactured home from personal property to real estate. Specifically, this form is designed for legal owners of manufactured homes built before October 1, 2005, that are missing their factory-installed identification tags. When a manufactured home loses these tags, titling and transferring ownership becomes complicated. By filing this form, the owner requests that the state “de-title” the home so it can be permanently associated with the land it sits on. To qualify for this process, the home must already be permanently affixed to the land—meaning the running gear is removed and it is placed on a permanent foundation—and it must have been assessed and taxed as real property by the county for at least one full year. The process involves the Department of Revenue verifying the tax history and the local Clerk and Recorder officially recording the change, which ultimately simplifies future property transfers, financing, and taxation.
How To File Montana Form MOHO
Filing Form MOHO is a multi-step process. First, gather your property tax records and ensure you know the property’s geocode and legal description. Fill out the form completely, sign it in front of a notary public, and have any secured parties sign their respective sections. Once the form is fully completed and notarized, take it to the local Montana Department of Revenue county field office where the property is located. The Department of Revenue will review the form, verify that the home has been taxed as real property for at least one year, and sign it. They will then return the processed form to you at the mailing address you provided. After you receive the form back from the Department of Revenue, you must take it to the county Clerk and Recorder’s office in the county where the home is located to have it officially recorded. The process is not complete until the document is recorded.
How To Complete Montana Form MOHO
Every field on the form must be typed or printed clearly so it is legible for recording. You must provide accurate property identification numbers, which can be found on your property tax bill or through the state’s property information website. If there are liens on the home, the secured parties must sign the form. Because this is a sworn legal document that affects property rights, do not sign the owner section until you are in the presence of a notary public.
Line 1: Return Form To Name And Address
At the very top left of the form, enter the name, address, city, state, and ZIP code where the Department of Revenue should mail the form back to you after they process their portion.
Line 2: Manufactured Homeowner/Purchaser Name
Enter the full legal name of the manufactured homeowner or purchaser. This name must exactly match the legal owner listed on the current certificate of title or certificate of origin.
Line 3: Mailing Address
Provide the current mailing address for the homeowner, including the street or PO Box, city, state, and ZIP code.
Line 4: Real Property Assessment Code/Geocode
Enter the Assessment Code or Geocode for the land where the manufactured home is permanently located. You can find this 17-digit number on your property tax statement or by looking up the property on the state’s official property website.
Line 5: Real Property Physical Address
Write the actual physical street address where the manufactured home and land are located, including the city, state, and ZIP code.
Line 6: Legal Description Of The Real Property
Provide the full legal description of the land to which the manufactured home is permanently attached. This is not the street address; it usually includes subdivision, lot, block, or section, township, and range details.
Line 7: Deed Referenced
Enter the recording reference information (such as the book and page number or document number) for the deed that proves ownership of the land.
Line 8: Manufactured Home Description
Provide as much information as you know about the manufactured home itself. Enter the Make, Model, Size, Year Built, and Serial Number in the designated boxes. If some information is completely unknown due to the missing tags, provide what is available from your records.
Line 9: Secured Party Declaration
If there is a bank, lender, or other party that holds a security interest (lien) on the manufactured home, they must agree to this change in property status. If no security interest exists, write the word “none” in this section.
Line 10: 1st Secured Party Signature
If there is a primary lienholder, an authorized representative of that secured party must sign and date here, and print their name below the signature.
Line 11: 2nd Secured Party Signature
If there is a secondary lienholder, their authorized representative must sign and date here, and print their name.
Line 12: Legal Owner Of The Land Explanation
The owner of the manufactured home must have legal rights to the land (via ownership, a land lease, or written permission). If you do not legally own the land the home sits on, you must attach a written explanation of the situation and provide supporting documentation, such as a lease agreement.
Line 13: Printed Name Of Manufactured Homeowner/Purchaser
Print the full legal name of the homeowner who is making the declaration.
Line 14: Legal Signature Of Registered Owner
The registered owner must sign their name here to swear under penalty of law that the statements on the form are true, the home is permanently attached, and the running gear is removed. Wait to sign this until you are in front of a notary public. Only one owner’s signature is required.
Line 15: Date Signed
Enter the date the registered owner signs the document.
Line 16: Notary Use Only Section
Do not fill out this section yourself. The notary public will complete the state, county, date, and their signature, and apply their official stamp or seal to verify your identity and signature.
Line 17: Department Of Revenue Use Only
Leave the very bottom section completely blank. A Department of Revenue official will sign and date here to verify that the manufactured home has been taxed as real property for at least one year.