This question often comes up when a mobile home is being sold and the VIN number or HUD tag has gone missing. Unfortunately, there is no free database that you can access online to get information about your manufactured home.
But the data does exist, and it is maintained by the Institute for Business Technology and Safety, a HUD contractor that keeps records back to 1976 of HUD-code manufactured homes. If you go to their website and provide them with a HUD tag number, they can give you the VIN number, or vice-versa, along with most of the information that was on the paper data plate inside the home if it has disappeared too—but for a fee. Also, it takes several days to two weeks for processing. Visit our blog posts What is a HUD data plate/performance certificate for a mobile/manufactured home? and What is a HUD label verification letter for a mobile/manufactured home? to learn more.
For help searching for the HUD tag or VIN on the home, go to What does the HUD tag look like and where do I find it on a mobile home? and Where do I find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a mobile home?
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES:
•What are the most common defects in mobile/manufactured home foundation piers?
• How do I determine the age of a very old mobile home?
• Is it safe to go under a mobile home?
• Are older mobile homes unsafe?
• What do I need to know about buying a foreclosed mobile home?
• Does it make sense to buy an older mobile home and remodel it?
• How do I find out how old a mobile home is and who manufactured it?
• What is the right price for a used mobile home?
• How energy efficient is a mobile home?
• When were the first double-wide mobile homes manufactured?
• How do I upgrade my old (pre-1976) mobile home to meet HUD standards?
• What size air conditioner is right for my mobile home?
• Can you move an older mobile home in Florida?
• Can you put a zone 1 mobile home in Florida?
• How can I remove water under my mobile home?
• What's the differences between a trailer, a mobile home, a manufactured home, and a modular home?
• What is a D-sticker mobile home?
• What are the tie-down requirements for a mobile home?
• How fireproof is a mobile home?
• Can I install a mobile home myself?
• What is a Park Model mobile home?
• Does an addition to a mobile home have to comply with the HUD Code?
• What walls can I remove in a mobile home?
• What can I do to prevent dampness and mold in my mobile home?
• How can I tell if a mobile home is well constructed?
•How can I tell the difference between a manufactured home and a modular home?
Visit our MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.
FAQs
Is the HUD label number the same as the VIN number? ›
In some states, the Serial number and VIN number may be one and the same; however, this can vary by State. HUD does not issue VIN numbers. The Department of Motor Vehicles or the state or local agency that regulates housing within your state may be able to assist you.
Is the HUD number the VIN number on a mobile home? ›The HUD plate also has the home's serial number and VIN number. The HUD Plate is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for all manufactured homes. The plate helps HUD officials ensure that manufactured homes are built in compliance with federal safety and quality standards.
What is a HUD number on a mobile home? ›A mobile or manufactured home will have 2 main identifiers: a HUD tag and a data plate. The HUD tag has the certification label on it and the data plate has both the serial number and the code certification number on it. The data plate is a white piece of paper usually found on the back side of a kitchen cabinet door.
Where is the HUD data plate located on a mobile home? ›The HCD insignia(s) or HUD label(s) is required to be located on the rear exterior wall at the lower left corner of the unit or on the exterior wall immediately adjacent to the main door.
How many digits is a mobile home VIN number? ›HUD tags also have six-digit serial numbers that the label supplier furnishes. All manufactured homes made after June 1976 must have a HUD tag. Additionally, insurers often require your home to have a HUD tag to ensure the home meets construction and safety standards.
What is a HUD ID number? ›HUD's legal name and Employer Identification Number for IRS Tax Identification purposes are: U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and 53-0196955.
Is a trailer serial number the same as a VIN number? ›Just like any other 17-digit VIN number, the last 6 positions (12-17) are the trailer's serial number. The serial number is what makes each VIN unique, since the VIN pattern or squish (positions 1-8, 10, and 11) will be the same, for the most part, for multiple VINs representing the same trailer model in a given year.
How do you track the history of a manufactured home? ›The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that a manufacturer place a large information sticker, called a “data plate,” on the interior of every mobile home manufactured since June 15th, 1976—and that's where you find out.
How many HUD labels does a manufactured home have? ›All manufactured homes must have an affixed HUD certification label, also known as a HUD tag located on the outside of the home. If the home is a multi-wide unit, each unit must have a label.
What does HUD mean in manufactured homes? ›Manufactured homes are constructed according to a code administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD Code). The HUD Code, unlike conventional building codes, requires manufactured homes to be constructed on a permanent chassis.
Do park models have HUD labels? ›
These larger Florida park models will have a HUD data plate and HUD tag. The smaller units will have an ANSI tag. To learn more, see our blog post What is a Park Model mobile home?
Can I lookup a VIN number online? ›On NHTSA.gov, you can query a particular vehicle's VIN to identify specific information encoded in the number. NHTSA's VIN decoder is publicly accessible at: https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/.
Can I find the VIN number online? ›Fortunately, you can also check the last 5 digits VIN of a vehicle online at any car history checking platform. If you are interested in knowing the make, model, body style, year, type, class and other details about a vehicle, you can run a vehicle check online and get it for free.
Can you run a VIN number online? ›If you're curious or need to access the information that your VIN provides, you can do a VIN check. To do so, Vin Check says you should simply search for a VIN decoder online and enter your VIN there.
How do I read my mobile home serial number? ›This data plate is a sticker and it lists the VIN number and other data relevant to your mobile home. (Note: sometimes it's also known as a serial number.) The data plate is usually inside the of the master bedroom closet on the wall. Or, you may instead find it on the back of a cabinet door under the kitchen sink.
What is a HUD data plate performance certificate? ›HUD tags are metal plates that are affixed to the exterior of manufactured homes built after June 15th, 1976. They certify the home was built to HUD's safety standards and each one has a unique label number, which will need to be legible enough for an appraiser to read it and take a picture of it.
What is the space under a mobile home called? ›Undercarriage: The undercarriage is the bottom part of the home that protects the insulation and keeps out moisture and pests. There are other parts under a manufactured home that may also be called the vapor barrier, mobile home belly, mobile home belly board, underbelly, bottom board and more.
What if I can't find the VIN number on my mobile home? ›If your VIN isn't on the interior of your mobile home, then it's time to check the exterior. There's a steel skirt that surrounds your property. Walk around and look for the triangular tow that transports your mobile home. Your VIN might be located on that.
Where can I find the make and model of my mobile home with the serial number? ›There is a line near the top of the data plate identified as for “Manufacturer's Serial Number and Model Unit Designation.” The model name is listed after the serial number, separated by a space or dash. The data plate shown above is an example of one with a model name that is a combination of letters and numbers.
What is the Blue Book on a mobile home? ›The Blue Book essentially lists the most reasonable value of various commodities. In the case of manufactured homes, the Blue Book value is the most important value home buyers and owners can collect.
Can I access my HUD account online? ›
There are two log on screens: one for HA users and one for HUD users: HA users should use: https://hudapps.hud.gov/HUD_Systems. HUD users should use: https://hudapps.hud.gov/ssmaster/ You can also access these links from the IMS/PIC homepage.
Does HUD have an app? ›The HUD Resource Locator is an easy to use app that helps users discover commonly requested federal housing resources within their community. Get resource information on many housing programs provided by HUD or USDA, directly contact specific resource providers, and find useful links to additional information.
What is Novad HUD? ›NOVAD is a contract servicer for HUD and so that loan was transferred to them and it could have been at more than one other lender prior to being transferred to HUD and therefore being serviced by NOVAD.
Where is the hidden VIN number? ›The VIN can often be found on the lower-left corner of the dashboard, in front of the steering wheel. You can read the number by looking through the windshield on the driver's side of the vehicle. The VIN may also appear in a number of other locations: Front of the engine block.
What does the 10th digit of the trailer VIN indicate? ›As shown above, the 10th character of the VIN indicates its model year.
What is the average life of a mobile home? ›A report done by the Manufactured Housing Institute placed the average life expectancy of a manufactured home at 55.8 years (mhvillage.com). With the proper upkeep and maintenance, manufactured homes have a long-life expectancy, with the potential to last forever.
What year did they start putting VIN numbers on mobile homes? ›1) There is a paper sticker on the interior of all mobile homes manufactured since June of 1976, called the “data plate,” which lists the VIN number (also called the serial number), along with other facts about the manufacture of the home.
What should I look for in a old mobile home? ›The two most important things to look for when buying a used mobile home is water damage and wiring issues. These are the two things that will be most difficult to repair or correct.
What are HUD numbers? ›The label number shall be etched or stamped with a 3 letter designation which identifies the production inspection primary inspection agency and which the Secretary shall assign. Each label shall be marked with a 6 digit number which the label supplier shall furnish.
What letters or numbers are not used in a VIN? ›The VIN does not use I, O, Q, U or Z. From 2001 to 2009, the numbers 1 through 9 were used in place of letters. The alphabet started over from A in 2010 and will continue until 2030.
What is a serial number label? ›
Serial numbers are a big part of business and are commonly used on products to track shipments, batch dates, lots and model numbers. Unique sequential serial numbering aids in quality control and protects against theft/counterfeiting. Commonly used to help with traceability.