Florida Mobile Home Dealer Bond— §320.77 Bond Requirements for MH Dealers
A Florida mobile home dealer bond is a $25,000 or $50,000 surety bond required by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) under Fla. Stat. §320.77(8), filed on Form HSMV 86018. The $25,000 tier applies to dealers with four or fewer supplemental locations; the $50,000 tier applies to dealers with more than four. The MH license term begins October 1 — distinct from the VF (December 31) and VI/VW/VA/SD (April 30) motor-vehicle cycles.
§320.77 vs §320.27 — Why the Statute Citation Matters
Florida licenses mobile home (MH) dealers under a separate statute from motor vehicle dealers. The two regimes share an agency (FLHSMV) and an application form (HSMV 86056), but the bond statute, bond form, bond amount, license cycle, and renewal calendar are all different. Citing the wrong statute on an MH bond is one of the most common reasons a first filing is rejected at the Bureau of Dealer Services.
Fla. Stat. §320.77 — Mobile Home Dealers
- Bond form: HSMV 86018
- Bond amount: $25,000 (≤4 supplemental locations) or $50,000 (5+)
- License class code: MH
- License term begins: October 1 (1- or 2-year)
- Garage liability: Not required (MH is a real-estate adjacent product, not on-road)
- Pre-licensing: 8 hours, FLHSMV-approved provider, MH-specific curriculum
- CE: 8 hours every 2 years
Fla. Stat. §320.27 — Motor Vehicle Dealers
- Bond form: HSMV 86020
- Bond amount: $25,000 flat (VF, VI, VW, VA, SD)
- License class codes: VF / VI / VW / VA / SD
- License term: December 31 (VF) or April 30 (VI/VW/VA/SD)
- Garage liability: Required ($25K CSL + $10K PIP) except SD class
- Pre-licensing: 8 hours matched to class
- CE: 8 hours every 2 years (VI only)
Filing an HSMV 86020 (motor vehicle) bond for an MH license application — or vice versa — is an automatic rejection at the Bureau of Dealer Services. The form and the statute citation must match the license class.
What the Florida MH Dealer Bond Covers
The mobile home dealer bond is a consumer-protection instrument conditioned on the dealer\u2019s compliance with Fla. Stat. §320.77, related Chapter 320 provisions, and the Florida Mobile Home Act (Chapter 723). It does not guarantee the dealer\u2019s solvency; it protects buyers, lenders, and the state from financial harm caused by specific categories of dealer conduct.
Title delivery and lien clearance
Failure to deliver clear title to the buyer of a mobile home, including title-branding errors and undisclosed prior liens. Mobile home titles are issued under Chapter 319 like vehicle titles, but the lien priority issues at retail are more frequent because units often carry floor-plan financing and prior chattel liens.
Sales tax and title-fee remittance
Sales tax (Chapter 212) and title fees collected from the buyer and not paid to the Florida Department of Revenue or FLHSMV are recoverable against the bond. Title-only transactions (no possession of the unit changes) are particularly exposed.
Undisclosed defects and prior damage
Sale of a unit with undisclosed water damage, structural compromise, prior insurance write-off, or hurricane-salvage history. Particularly common in Q3-Q4 cycles after Atlantic-basin storm activity.
Misrepresentation of HUD-Code status
Holding a pre-1976 mobile home out as a HUD-Code manufactured home, or misrepresenting the year of manufacture. Federal HUD-Code status (post-June 15, 1976) controls eligibility for many financing and titling pathways and is a material disclosure.
Florida Mobile Home Act (Ch. 723) violations
Consumer judgments tied to park-lot tenancy disclosures, prospectus and lot rental disclosures, and resale handling under Chapter 723. The MH dealer bond responds where the violation produces actual financial harm to a consumer.
Deceptive trade practices (Ch. 501)
Bait-and-switch advertising, fraudulent inducement, and undisclosed material defects under Florida\u2019s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Judgments are payable up to the bond face amount.
MH License Classes and Bond Amounts
Mobile home dealers operate under the single MH license class, but the bond amount steps up at the supplemental-location threshold. Used and new MH retailers post the same bond face amount; the new MH retailer additionally needs a written manufacturer franchise agreement. Combined MH + RV endorsements require both the §320.77 MH bond and the §320.771 RV bond.
| Configuration | Description | Bond Amount | Form | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MH (Main) | Mobile Home Dealer — Main License, 4 or Fewer Supplemental Locations | $25,000 | HSMV 86018 | Fla. Stat. §320.77(8) |
| MH (5+) | Mobile Home Dealer — More Than 4 Supplemental Locations | $50,000 | HSMV 86018 | Fla. Stat. §320.77(8) |
| MH + RV | Combined Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Endorsement | $25,000 (MH controls) | HSMV 86018 (MH) + HSMV 86019 (RV) | Fla. Stat. §§320.77, 320.771 |
| MH (Used) | Used Mobile Home Retailer (no new manufacturer franchise) | $25,000 | HSMV 86018 | Fla. Stat. §320.77(8) |
| MH (New) | New Mobile Home Retailer (manufacturer franchise required) | $25,000 | HSMV 86018 | Fla. Stat. §320.77(8) |
The four-supplemental-location threshold is the trigger for the $50,000 bond tier under §320.77(8). A dealer adding a fifth supplemental location must replace the $25,000 bond with a $50,000 bond before the location is approved.
How Much the Florida MH Dealer Bond Costs
Premium on an MH dealer bond is driven primarily by the principal\u2019s personal credit profile. The face amount ($25,000 or $50,000) is fixed by statute; the premium paid each year is a small percentage of that face. Two-year terms are commonly offered on the $25,000 tier at a small discount.
| Credit Band | Annual Premium Estimate ($25K Tier) | Underwriting Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent (FICO 700+) | $250 - $500 | Standard markets, same-day issuance common. Two-year terms often offered at discount on the $25,000 face. |
| Good (FICO 650 - 699) | $500 - $1,000 | Standard MH markets with light file review. Most submissions clear without indemnitor add-ons. |
| Fair (FICO 600 - 649) | $1,000 - $1,750 | Substandard markets; personal indemnity required; spousal indemnity sometimes requested for sole proprietors. |
| Below 600 | $1,750 - $3,750 | Specialty / high-risk programs. Collateral or co-indemnitors sometimes required, particularly on the $50,000 tier. |
Premium ranges reflect general market patterns for the Florida $25,000 MH dealer bond and do not constitute a binding quote. The $50,000 tier is typically priced at roughly 1.6×-2.0× the $25,000 premium for the same credit band. Actual pricing is set at underwriting based on credit, business history, and supporting documentation.
Form HSMV 86018: The Mobile Home Dealer Bond Form
Form HSMV 86018 is the surety bond instrument prescribed by FLHSMV under Fla. Stat. §320.77 — not the license application. It carries the principal\u2019s legal name, the surety company\u2019s name and NAIC number, the penal sum ($25,000 or $50,000), the bond effective date, and the surety\u2019s seal with attached power of attorney. The form is submitted to FLHSMV alongside the HSMV 86056 license application, the pre-licensing certificate, and facility documentation.
Form 86018 vs Form 86020 — different bond forms
HSMV 86018 is the mobile home dealer bond. HSMV 86020 is the motor vehicle dealer bond. The forms are not interchangeable. Filing the wrong bond form for the license class is an automatic rejection. HSMV 86019 is the recreational vehicle dealer bond form — also distinct.
Letter of credit alternative — Form HSMV 86058
Florida permits an irrevocable letter of credit on Form HSMV 86058 (mobile home classes) in lieu of a surety bond. The LOC must be drawn for the same dollar amount as the bond and issued by an FDIC-insured Florida bank. Most MH dealers use the surety bond because the LOC requires a collateral pledge.
Modifications and renewals
Bond modifications (name change, address change, surety change mid-term) are filed on Form HSMV 86072. A new bond is required when the surety company changes; a continuation certificate is not accepted. Renewals follow the October 1 license cycle and may be issued as 1-year or 2-year terms.
MH Bond Instrument at a Glance
Mobile Home vs HUD-Code Manufactured Home — A Disclosure Issue
Florida\u2019s §320.01(2) definition of "mobile home" reaches both pre-1976 mobile homes and post-1976 HUD-Code manufactured homes when titled as vehicles. The federal HUD Code (24 C.F.R. Part 3280) only applies to units produced on or after June 15, 1976. The distinction is material at retail because pre-1976 units are not eligible for many federally backed mortgage and chattel financing programs and have different disclosure obligations to buyers and lenders.
Pre-1976 mobile home
- • Manufactured before June 15, 1976
- • Not subject to federal HUD construction standards
- • Titled under Florida Chapter 319 as a vehicle
- • Limited federally backed financing options
- • Year-of-manufacture disclosure is material at sale
- • Subject to §320.77 dealer license and bond requirement
Post-1976 HUD-Code manufactured home
- • Manufactured on or after June 15, 1976
- • Subject to federal HUD Code (24 C.F.R. Part 3280)
- • HUD certification label affixed at the factory
- • Eligible for FHA Title I and Title II programs
- • Titled under Florida Chapter 319 as a vehicle (unless RP-converted)
- • Subject to §320.77 dealer license and bond requirement
A mobile home that has been permanently affixed to land and converted to real property under an RP (real property) decal is no longer titled as a vehicle and is no longer within the §320.77 dealer license scope. Sales of RP-converted units are real estate transactions handled under Florida real-estate licensing — not Chapter 320 dealer licensing.
MH Dealer vs MH Installer — Separate Licenses, Separate Bonds
Florida treats mobile home dealing and mobile home installation as two distinct licensed activities with two different regulators, two different statutes, and two different bonds. A person engaged in both activities holds both licenses and posts both bonds. Confusing the two is a frequent source of incorrect bond filings.
Mobile Home Dealer (this page)
- Activity: Retail sale of mobile homes (new and used)
- Regulator: FLHSMV Bureau of Dealer Services
- Statute: Fla. Stat. §320.77
- License class: MH
- Bond form: HSMV 86018
- Bond amount: $25,000 or $50,000
Mobile Home Installer (separate license)
- Activity: Physical setup of a mobile home at its site
- Regulator: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
- Statute: Fla. Stat. §320.8249
- License class: Mobile Home Installer (IH)
- Bond form: DBPR-prescribed installer bond form (not HSMV 86018)
- Bond amount: $5,000
A retailer that delivers and sets up units at the customer\u2019s lot needs both licenses and both bonds. Installer defect claims (improper anchoring, blocking, utility connections) attach to the §320.8249 installer bond, not the §320.77 dealer bond. Cross-filing claims against the wrong bond is a common mistake at the claim stage.
Statutory Authority — Fla. Stat. §320.77 Explained
Section 320.77 of the Florida Statutes is the dedicated mobile home dealer licensing statute. It defines the MH class, sets the bond requirement at $25,000 / $50,000, establishes the October 1 license cycle, and prescribes the application, pre-licensing education, and renewal procedures. Two adjacent sections are commonly relevant: §320.771 (recreational vehicle dealers — the RV class) and §320.8249 (mobile home installers — the separate installer license).
Fla. Stat. §320.77(8) — The Bond Requirement
Subsection (8) sets the surety bond requirement for the MH dealer class at $25,000 for dealers with four or fewer supplemental locations and $50,000 for dealers with more than four. The provision authorizes an irrevocable letter of credit (Form HSMV 86058) as an alternative and conditions the bond on the dealer\u2019s compliance with §320.77 and related Chapter 320 provisions.
Read Fla. Stat. §320.77 in full§§320.01(2), 320.771, 320.8249 — Related Sections
§320.01(2) defines "mobile home" for purposes of Chapter 320 — broader than the federal HUD-Code definition. §320.771 governs the recreational vehicle (RV) dealer class. §320.8249 governs the separate mobile home installer license administered by DBPR. Reading these together is necessary to know which bond and which agency a given activity requires.
Read Fla. Stat. §320.8249 (installer)Official Florida Requirements
"Each applicant for a license as a mobile home dealer shall furnish a surety bond in the amount of $25,000 for dealers with not more than four supplemental locations and $50,000 for dealers with more than four supplemental locations, conditioned to indemnify any retail buyer or other person against loss occasioned by reason of any false or fraudulent representation or statement in the sale of a mobile home or by reason of any violation of this section."Florida Statutes, Section 320.77(8), as administered by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Dealer Services • Fla. Stat. §320.77(8)
How to Apply for a Florida MH Dealer License
The MH application sequence is similar to the motor vehicle dealer sequence but with three substantive differences: the bond form is HSMV 86018, the pre-licensing curriculum is MH-specific, and the license term begins October 1 rather than December 31 or April 30. Skipping or reordering steps — particularly trying to file the bond before completing pre-licensing — results in rejection at the Bureau of Dealer Services.
- 1
Complete FLHSMV-approved MH pre-licensing education
8-hour FLHSMV-approved course covering Florida mobile home dealer law, title and tax handling for MH units, HUD-Code disclosures, and the Florida Mobile Home Act (Chapter 723). Certificate is required at filing.
- 2
Secure a permanent dealership location and pass facility inspection
Permanent non-residential location with office, inventory display area for MH units, signage, posted hours, and a phone listed in the dealer’s name. MH inventory display is typically lot-based given unit size. The facility is inspected before license issuance.
- 3
Bind a $25,000 (or $50,000) surety bond on Form HSMV 86018
Bond issued by a surety authorized in Florida. Principal name on the bond must match the legal name on HSMV 86056 exactly. The $50,000 tier applies once the dealer operates more than four supplemental locations.
- 4
Secure manufacturer franchise agreement (new MH retailers only)
A retailer selling new MH units must have a written franchise agreement with the manufacturer. Used MH retailers do not need a franchise agreement but still need the §320.77 bond and license.
- 5
File Form HSMV 86056 with the $300 application fee
HSMV 86056 is the dealer license application; it carries the MH class election. Filed with HSMV 86018 bond, pre-licensing certificate, facility documentation, fingerprints, and the $300 non-refundable application fee.
- 6
Complete background checks and fingerprinting
All principals, partners, and corporate officers submit fingerprints through an FLHSMV-approved Livescan provider. Criminal-history disclosures must be made on the application; non-disclosure is itself grounds for denial.
- 7
License issuance and posted display
Once Bureau of Dealer Services approves the application, the MH license is issued with a term beginning October 1 and must be displayed at the licensed location. The license is non-transferable between owners and between locations.
October 1 Renewal Cycle — Unique to MH and RV Classes
The MH license term begins October 1 each year and may be issued as a one-year or two-year license. This is distinct from the VF franchise cycle (December 31) and the VI/VW/VA/SD motor-vehicle cycle (April 30). Dealers relocating from other states routinely mis-time renewals by assuming a single statewide calendar.
| Term | Expiration | Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MH (1-year term) | September 30 each year (term begins October 1) | $100 renewal fee + $300 initial application fee (initial only) | October 1 cycle is distinct from VF (Dec 31) and VI/VW/VA/SD (Apr 30). Renewal must be filed at least 30 days prior. |
| MH (2-year term) | September 30 of the second year | $200 renewal fee (2-year term) | Two-year option pre-pays the renewal. Bond term and license term should be coordinated to avoid mid-term substitutions. |
| MH Supplemental Location | Same cycle as main license | $50 per supplemental location | Threshold of 4 vs more than 4 supplemental locations is the trigger for the $50,000 bond tier under §320.77(8). |
Late MH renewals filed within 45 days of expiration carry a $100 late fee under §320.77. After 45 days, a full new application is required, including a new $300 application fee and a fresh background check. Supplemental locations are $50 each; the $25,000-to-$50,000 bond step-up triggers when the fifth supplemental location is added.
Combined MH + RV Endorsement
A dealer that handles both mobile homes (§320.77) and recreational vehicles (§320.771) holds both endorsements at a single facility and posts both bonds. The MH bond requirement is not absorbed by the RV bond or vice versa; the statutes are separate and the bond forms are different.
- MH bond: HSMV 86018 — $25,000 or $50,000 under §320.77
- RV bond: HSMV 86019 — $10,000 or $20,000 under §320.771
- Both classes renew on the October 1 cycle — bond and license term coordination is straightforward
- Each endorsement counts its own supplemental locations against its own bond threshold
Park Trailer Edge Case
Park trailers occupy a gray area between MH and RV. Under Florida law, a park trailer (recreational park trailer) is generally an RV under §320.771 if the unit is built to ANSI A119.5 RV standards and is not more than 400 square feet. Park models built to HUD-Code standards and exceeding 400 square feet are treated as mobile homes under §320.77.
Florida MH Market Context — Where MH Dealers Concentrate
Florida has the largest mobile home inventory of any U.S. state, driven by retiree migration, hurricane-replacement cycles, and significant park-lot tenancy under the Florida Mobile Home Act (Chapter 723). MH dealer applications concentrate in three geographic clusters. The Florida Manufactured Housing Association (FMHA) is the industry trade group; FMHA membership and lender networks are common reference points during underwriting.
Southwest Florida retiree market
Sebring, Lakeland, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Naples, and Fort Myers — large 55+ communities, high replacement turnover, and the highest concentration of Chapter 723 park-lot transactions in the state.
Panhandle and North Florida
Pensacola, Crestview, Panama City, Tallahassee — mix of military-adjacent and rural MH demand. Lower park-lot tenancy share, higher private-lot ownership share.
Inland Central Florida
Bartow, Plant City, Auburndale, Mulberry, Winter Haven — historically the densest MH manufacturing and retail corridor, with strong used-MH retail and salvage-MH channel activity.
Hurricane salvage and the Q3-Q4 channel
Mobile homes are disproportionately exposed to hurricane damage. The Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 - November 30) and its Q3-Q4 peak produce a surge of insurance-written-off units that move through salvage and re-titling channels. Dealers handling significant salvage MH volume should expect underwriters to ask about title-branding disclosures, post-storm structural certifications, and the dealer\u2019s process for separating HUD-Code units from pre-1976 mobile homes. Failure to disclose hurricane-salvage history at retail is one of the most common triggers of consumer claims against the §320.77 bond.
Pre-Licensing and Continuing Education for MH Dealers
Fla. Stat. §320.77 sets MH-specific education requirements. The 8-hour pre-licensing course covers Chapter 320 compliance, MH title and registration, HUD-Code disclosures, and the Florida Mobile Home Act (Chapter 723). Continuing education of 8 hours is required at each two-year renewal cycle. The course must be delivered by an FLHSMV-approved provider; certificates from unapproved providers are rejected even if the curriculum content is correct.
MH Pre-Licensing — 8 Hours
8 hours covering Florida MH dealer law, title and tax handling, HUD-Code vs pre-1976 disclosures, and Chapter 723 Florida Mobile Home Act. Required prior to filing Form HSMV 86056.
MH Continuing Education — 8 Hours Biennially
8 hours every 2 years: covers FLHSMV updates, Chapter 723 changes, title-handling updates, and consumer protection developments. Required at each renewal cycle.
FLHSMV-Approved Providers Only
The course must be delivered by a provider on the FLHSMV approved-provider list. The list is updated periodically. Certificates from unapproved or expired providers are rejected at filing.
Common Rejection Reasons for MH Dealer Filings
The Bureau of Dealer Services rejects a meaningful share of first MH submissions for procedural reasons that have nothing to do with the dealer\u2019s credit-worthiness. The most common rejection reasons specific to MH filings are listed below.
Wrong bond form — 86020 instead of 86018
Filing the HSMV 86020 motor vehicle dealer bond for an MH license is the single most common MH rejection cause. The correct form for MH is HSMV 86018.
Wrong statute citation
Bond drawn with a Fla. Stat. §320.27 citation instead of §320.77. The statute citation must match the license class.
$25K bond filed for 5+ supplemental locations
A dealer adding a fifth supplemental location must upgrade to the $50,000 tier before the location is approved. Filing the $25,000 bond at that point is rejected.
Installer bond filed for dealer license
Filing the DBPR-prescribed §320.8249 installer bond (typically $5,000) for an MH dealer license under §320.77 is rejected; the two regulators and two bonds are distinct.
Principal name mismatch
The principal name on HSMV 86018 must match the legal name on HSMV 86056 exactly, including LLC vs Inc., trade names, and DBAs.
Pre-licensing certificate from unapproved provider
Certificates issued by a provider not on the FLHSMV-approved list are rejected regardless of curriculum content. Verify provider status before enrolling.
Related Florida Dealer Resources
Sibling pages for adjacent license classes, the parent Florida dealer hub, and the installer license that frequently pairs with an MH dealer license.
Florida Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond
§320.27 / HSMV 86020 — $25,000 bond for VF, VI, VW, VA, SD classes. Separate from MH.
Florida RV Dealer Bond
§320.771 / HSMV 86019 — $10K or $20K. Same October 1 cycle as MH; often paired.
Florida MH Installer Bond
§320.8249 — separate DBPR installer license. $5,000 bond distinct from §320.77.
Florida Dealer Bond Guide
5,000+ word pillar — all 9 Florida dealer class amounts, claims, full FLHSMV process.
How to Get Licensed in FL
Step-by-step FLHSMV Bureau of Dealer Services walkthrough — application, bond, inspection.
Florida Dealer Bond Renewal
October 1 (MH/RV) vs April 30 (VI/VW/SD) vs December 31 (VF) — CE hours, FLHSMV portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Florida MH dealer applicants ask most often, with statutory and form citations that matter at filing.
Is the Florida mobile home dealer bond the same as the motor vehicle dealer bond?
No. The Florida mobile home (MH) dealer bond is required under Fla. Stat. §320.77, not §320.27. The MH bond is filed on Form HSMV 86018 — not Form HSMV 86020 (the motor vehicle dealer bond form). The MH bond amount is $25,000 for dealers with four or fewer supplemental locations and $50,000 for dealers with more than four. The license expiration cycle for the MH class begins October 1 each year, which is different from both the VF franchise cycle (December 31) and the VI/VW/VA/SD cycle (April 30). Anyone treating "the Florida dealer bond" as a single product is conflating distinct statutory regimes.
What is the difference between a mobile home dealer bond and a mobile home installer bond?
These are two separate bonds for two separate licenses. A mobile home dealer is a person engaged in the retail sale of mobile homes and is licensed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Bureau of Dealer Services under Fla. Stat. §320.77; the bond is $25,000 or $50,000 on Form HSMV 86018. A mobile home installer is a person who performs the physical setup of a mobile home at its site and is licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) under Fla. Stat. §320.8249; the installer bond is generally $5,000. A person who both sells and installs needs both licenses and both bonds, filed with different agencies.
Is a "mobile home" under §320.77 the same as a "manufactured home" under federal HUD rules?
The terms overlap heavily but are not legally identical. The federal HUD Code (24 C.F.R. Part 3280) defines "manufactured home" as a factory-built dwelling produced on or after June 15, 1976 to federal construction and safety standards. Florida’s §320.01(2) definition of "mobile home" is broader and covers both pre-1976 mobile homes and post-1976 HUD-Code manufactured homes when they are sold and titled as vehicles rather than as real property fixtures. The §320.77 dealer license and bond apply to retail sales of either, so long as the unit is titled under Chapter 319 and not converted to real property by RP designation. A unit affixed to land and converted to real property by an RP sticker is no longer titled as a mobile home and is outside the §320.77 dealer license scope.
When does the Florida MH dealer license expire and renew?
The MH license term begins October 1 each year and may be issued as a one-year or two-year license. This October 1 cycle is unique to MH (and RV) classes and is set in Fla. Stat. §320.77. It is not the April 30 cycle that governs VI, VW, VA, and SD motor vehicle classes, and it is not the December 31 cycle that governs VF franchise dealers. Renewals must be filed at least 30 days prior to expiration. The renewal fee is $100 for a one-year term and $200 for a two-year term. The initial application fee is $300 (non-refundable) and is paid only on the first license, not at renewal.
What is Form HSMV 86018?
Form HSMV 86018 is the Mobile Home Dealer Surety Bond form prescribed by FLHSMV under Fla. Stat. §320.77. It is the executed surety instrument — not the license application. Form HSMV 86056 is the dealer license application that lists MH as the license class. The two forms travel together at filing but are distinct: 86018 is signed by the principal (the dealer) and the surety; 86056 is signed by the applicant and includes the facility, background, and education disclosures. Filing the 86018 bond against a VF, VI, VW, VA, or SD application — or filing an HSMV 86020 motor vehicle bond for an MH application — triggers automatic rejection.
Do I need pre-licensing education to get a Florida MH dealer license?
Yes. Under Fla. Stat. §320.77, applicants for an MH dealer license must complete an 8-hour FLHSMV-approved pre-licensing course covering Florida mobile home dealer law, Chapter 320 compliance, title and registration handling for mobile homes, and consumer protection under the Florida Mobile Home Act (Chapter 723). Continuing education of 8 hours every two years is also required for license renewal. The course must be delivered by an FLHSMV-approved provider; certificates from unapproved providers will be rejected even if the curriculum content is correct.
What can trigger a claim against the Florida MH dealer bond?
The MH dealer bond is conditioned on the dealer’s compliance with Fla. Stat. §320.77 and related sections. Common claim triggers include failure to deliver clear title to a mobile home buyer, failure to remit sales tax or title fees collected from a customer, sale of a unit with undisclosed material defects (water damage, prior insurance write-off, structural compromise), misrepresentation of the unit’s year of manufacture or HUD-Code status, deceptive advertising under Chapter 501, and consumer judgments tied to violations of the Florida Mobile Home Act (Chapter 723). Claims are payable up to the $25,000 (or $50,000) face amount across the entire bond term.
I want to sell both mobile homes and recreational vehicles. Do I need both bonds?
Yes. The MH class is governed by Fla. Stat. §320.77 on Form HSMV 86018 ($25,000 / $50,000). The RV class is governed by Fla. Stat. §320.771 on Form HSMV 86019 ($10,000 / $20,000). A dealer that holds both endorsements posts both bonds; the bond requirements are not consolidated. The MH bond requirement controls for any unit titled and sold as a mobile home, and the RV bond requirement controls for any unit titled and sold as an RV (travel trailer, motor home, fifth-wheel, camping trailer, truck camper, park trailer, or van conversion). The same applicant may be licensed for both classes simultaneously at a single facility.
What is the hurricane-salvage MH market and does it change my bond?
It does not change the bond face amount, but it changes the underwriting picture for many Florida MH dealers. Mobile homes in Florida are disproportionately exposed to hurricane damage, particularly in Southwest Florida (Punta Gorda, Sebring, Lakeland), the Panhandle (Pensacola, Crestview), and inland Central Florida (Bartow, Plant City). The Q3 and Q4 calendar produces a surge of insurance-written-off units that move through salvage and re-titling channels. Dealers handling significant salvage MH volume should expect underwriters to ask about title-branding disclosures, post-storm structural certifications, and the dealer’s process for separating HUD-Code units from pre-1976 mobile homes (which are not eligible for federally backed financing).
Are MH bond claims handled the same way as motor vehicle dealer bond claims?
Procedurally they are similar: a claimant — typically a buyer, lender, or the state — files a written claim with the surety, the surety investigates and notifies the principal (the dealer), and the surety pays validated claims up to the bond face amount with a right of indemnity against the dealer. Substantively, MH bond claims more often involve large single-transaction losses (a $40,000-plus retail mobile home unit with title or disclosure defects can absorb a large share of the $25,000 face) and Chapter 723 Florida Mobile Home Act consumer claims tied to park-lot tenancy or post-sale habitability disputes. Claims involving installer defects, in contrast, typically attach to the separate §320.8249 installer bond, not the §320.77 dealer bond.
How long does it take to issue a Florida MH dealer bond?
For applicants with strong credit, the bond can be issued the same business day after the quote is bound — many submissions clear automated underwriting in minutes. Substandard credit submissions, and most $50,000 tier submissions, take 1-3 business days because the file routes to a high-risk market and may require additional documentation (personal financial statement, prior years’ tax returns, indemnity from a spouse or business partner). The bond is delivered with the surety’s seal and an attached power-of-attorney for filing with the HSMV 86056 license application.
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov) and verified before publication. BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-certified, A-minimum rated surety carriers serving all 50 states.
Order Your Florida Mobile Home Dealer Bond
$25,000 or $50,000 bond issued on Form HSMV 86018 with the §320.77 obligee language — ready to file with your HSMV 86056 MH license application at the Bureau of Dealer Services.