The Mobile Home Tax Clearance / Conditional Tax Certificate Request is the form the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector uses to receive a request for a Tax Clearance Certificate when a mobile home is purchased or its title is transferred. It is one of the Los Angeles County property tax forms, and it covers mobile homes only. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original form at the official URL and handles the request itself.
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What is Mobile Home Tax Clearance / Conditional Tax Certificate Request – Los Angeles County, CA?
The Mobile Home Tax Clearance / Conditional Tax Certificate Request is the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector form that asks for a Tax Clearance Certificate, or a Conditional Tax Clearance Certificate if tax is owed, for a mobile home.
The form states the two outcomes it requests. A Tax Clearance Certificate is requested if no tax liability exists. A Conditional Tax Clearance Certificate is requested if a tax liability exists. The county's general information page explains that a Tax Clearance Certificate states that the taxes on a mobile home are current.
The certificate matters because the California Department of Housing and Community Development cannot transfer the title of a mobile home subject to local property taxes without a Tax Clearance Certificate from the Treasurer and Tax Collector of the county where the home is located. Without it, the title does not transfer to the new owner's name.
After receiving a request, the Treasurer and Tax Collector searches the secured and unsecured property tax rolls to see whether existing tax bills are paid. If an escrow company requests the certificate because of a pending sale, the county issues a Conditional Tax Clearance Certificate that requires the estimated taxes and all unpaid property taxes to be collected at the close of escrow and paid to the Treasurer and Tax Collector.
The form identifies the mobile home by decal number, serial number(s) and Assessor's Identification Number, and names the seller as shown on the current title and the buyer as the new title should read.
Who needs to file Mobile Home Tax Clearance / Conditional Tax Certificate Request – Los Angeles County, CA?
The main group is anyone purchasing a mobile home in Los Angeles County, or anyone acting on behalf of a person purchasing one. The county's page says these requesters may ask for a Tax Clearance Certificate at no charge. The county provides the certificate when a mobile home is purchased, or when its title is transferred or changed.
Other situations the form and the county page describe:
- Escrow companies and escrow officers. The form has optional lines for an escrow officer and an escrow number, "if applicable." When an escrow company requests the certificate because of a pending sale, the county issues a Conditional Tax Clearance Certificate.
- Sellers. The form asks for the seller's name as shown on the current title with the State, so the registered owner's details must be available to whoever completes the request.
The form is for a mobile home (also called a manufactured home) subject to local property taxes. The county page ties the certificate to the title transfer handled by the California Department of Housing and Community Development; the form does not describe any other use.
When to file Mobile Home Tax Clearance / Conditional Tax Certificate Request – Los Angeles County, CA
Submit the request when a mobile home is purchased, or when its title is transferred or changed, because the title will not transfer to the new owner without the certificate. If an escrow company requests it for a pending sale, the county issues a Conditional Tax Clearance Certificate.
Allow time for processing. Both the form and the county page say a request takes approximately 60 business days to complete, covering logging the request, researching the tax rolls and typing correspondence. The county processes requests in the order received and asks you to wait 15 business days before contacting the office if you have not received a response.
On January 1 of each year, the Treasurer and Tax Collector estimates taxes for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). The estimated taxes, plus any unpaid prior taxes, must be paid before a Tax Clearance Certificate is issued.
How to fill out Mobile Home Tax Clearance / Conditional Tax Certificate Request – Los Angeles County, CA
Enter the sender's contact details
In the header lines, complete From, Date, Mailing address, City, State, Zip and Phone, which are marked as required. Email is optional.
Add escrow information if applicable
If an escrow company is involved in the sale, enter the Escrow Officer and Escrow Number. Both lines are marked "if applicable."
Enter the seller's name
Under the current registered owner's heading, enter Seller's Name exactly as shown on the current title with the State.
Describe the mobile home
Enter the Mobile home address and City, State, Zip, then the Decal Number, Serial Number(s) and Assessor's Identification Number. All are marked required.
Enter the buyer's name
Under New Owner's Name, write the Buyer's name the way the new title should read.
Enter the buyer's address
Enter the Buyer's address and City, State, Zip. The form says tax bills will be mailed to this address, and the county mails the certificate to the address on the request.
Add comments if needed
Use the Comments lines for anything the Mobile Home Unit should know about the request. The lines are optional.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every required field against the title and the mobile home records, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Mobile Home Tax Clearance / Conditional Tax Certificate Request – Los Angeles County, CA
The form can be submitted online through the county's online inquiries link, or sent to the Mobile Home Unit at the address printed on it.
- Online: the form is headed "Submit Request Online," and the county page says you can submit the request through the link in its online inquiries section, on the Treasurer and Tax Collector website.
- Mobile Home Unit address: County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector, Attn: Mobile Home Unit, 225 North Hill Street, Room 109, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The county page lists the same Public Service Division address.
- Telephone: (213) 893-7935. Questions can also go through the county's Public Inquiry page.
After processing, the county mails you notice of any tax amount due. Once payment is received, it issues the Tax Clearance Certificate and mails it to the address on the request, so enter that address carefully. Payments are accepted by cash, cashier's check, personal check or escrow check. No fee is charged for requesting the certificate when you are purchasing the home or acting for the purchaser; any tax owed is paid separately.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving a field marked with an asterisk blank; the form marks the sender, date, mailing address, phone, seller, mobile home, decal, serial, Assessor's Identification Number and buyer entries as required.
- Entering the seller's name differently from how it appears on the current title with the State; the form asks for the current registered owner's name as shown there.
- Giving a buyer's address where the buyer does not want tax bills; the form says tax bills will be mailed to that address.
- Omitting the decal number, serial number(s) or Assessor's Identification Number, which identify the mobile home on the request.
- Expecting the certificate before taxes are paid; if outstanding taxes exist, they must be paid before a Tax Clearance Certificate is issued.
- Assuming the title will transfer without the certificate; the California Department of Housing and Community Development cannot transfer it without one.
- Contacting the office before 15 business days have passed; the county asks requesters to wait that long for a response.
- Paying with a method the county does not list; accepted payments are cash, cashier's check, personal check or escrow check.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mobile home tax clearance certificate?
A Tax Clearance Certificate states that the taxes on a mobile home are current. The California Department of Housing and Community Development requires it to transfer the title of a mobile home subject to local property taxes, so the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector issues it on request.
What is the difference between a tax clearance and a conditional tax clearance certificate?
A Tax Clearance Certificate is requested if no tax liability exists. A Conditional Tax Clearance Certificate is requested if a liability exists; for a pending escrow sale, it requires estimated and unpaid taxes to be collected at the close of escrow and paid to the county.
Is there a fee to request a mobile home tax clearance in Los Angeles County?
No fee is charged for the request when you are purchasing a mobile home or acting on behalf of the purchaser, according to the county. Any taxes owed must still be paid, by cash, cashier's check, personal check or escrow check.
How long does a mobile home tax clearance take in Los Angeles County?
Approximately 60 business days, according to the form and the county page. Requests are processed in the order received. Wait 15 business days before contacting the office if you have heard nothing, then call (213) 893-7935 or use the Public Inquiry page.
Where do I send the mobile home tax clearance request?
Submit it online through the county's online inquiries link, or address it to the County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector, Attn: Mobile Home Unit, 225 North Hill Street, Room 109, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The phone number is (213) 893-7935.
Can I fill out the mobile home tax clearance request online?
You can complete the fillable PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the request or issue the certificate; you submit it through the county's channels.
Do I need a tax clearance certificate to transfer a mobile home title?
Yes, for a mobile home subject to local property taxes. If the certificate is not issued at the time of transfer, the title will not transfer to the new owner's name, because the state cannot transfer it without the county's certificate.
Where does the county send the certificate and tax bills?
The certificate is mailed to the address indicated on the request, once any tax due is paid. The form also states that tax bills will be mailed to the buyer's address, so enter the address you want used for both.
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