CONTACT INFORMATION
Assessor:
Nancy Dennis
Address:
One Courthouse Square, Room 44
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone:
(765) 653-3746
Fax:
(765) 653-2842
The mission of the Putnam County Assessor’s Office is to provide the county and its citizens with accurate and equitable values for real estate and personal property as prescribed by the State of Indiana and the Department of Local Government and Finance (DLGF). We strive to provide friendly and efficient services, both in the office and in the data collection field.
We recognize that our records impact all of those in the community and are community and are committed to fair and accurate records. Some processes of real estate and personal property documentation are complex and the Assessor’s Office aspires to guide you through the process in a respectful and compassionate manner. It is important to work in conjunction with the public to ensure both real estate and personal property records accurately represent our communities, and our county.Communication between the citizens of Putnam County and our office will help to assure the most accurate assessments.
PUTNAM COUNTY ASSESSOR
NANCY DENNIS
MOBILE
HOMES
2015 TAXPAYER GUIDE
PAGE 1PUTNAM COUNTY INDIANA
Effective July, 2008 all Putnam County Township Assessor’s Offices consolidated into the Putnam County Assessor. Since that date, the Putnam County Assessor has been responsible for the assessment of all mobile and manufactured homes within Putnam County. It is the goal of the Assessor to uniformly assess all manufactured and mobile homes within the county and provide accurate information in a timely matter.
Manufactured and mobile homes that sit on land owned by the same person are assessed as real property on March 1st of each year. Manufactured homes and mobile homes that sit one land that is owned by a different person are assessed on January 15th of each and taxed the same year.
Recreational Vehicles (RVs), over 35 feet in length that are being used as a permanent residence and are not plated through Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will be assessed and taxed through the Assessor’s Office.
RVs that have been modified and meet certain criteria, and are not plated through the BMV, may be assessed and taxed per the Assessors discretion.
HOW ARE MOBILE HOMES ASSESSED?
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) guidelines are used to assess manufactured and mobile homes in Putnam County. The assessment is based on the year of construction, make, square footage, number of bathrooms and whether or not it has a central air conditioning unit. External accessories, such as decks, canopies, porches, awnings, tip-outs, room additions, sheds, detached garages, and car ports are also included in the assessment. Our office works with park management to conduct independent field work and correctly determine the condition of the home and its accessories.
PAGE10PUTNAM COUNTY INDIANA
INDIANA CODE CITATIONS
IC 16-41-27-4
Mobile Home Community Regulations
IC 6-1.1-3
Procedures for Personal Property Assessment
IC 6-1.1-7 & IC 9-17-6
Taxation and Titling of Mobile Homes
CONTACT INFORMATION
Putnam County Auditor
One Courthouse Square, Room 20
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: (765) 653-5513
Putnam County Treasurer
One Courthouse Square, Room 22
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: (765) 653-4510
Putnam County Recorder
One Courthouse Square, Room 25
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: (765) 653-5613
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1-888-myBMV411
Web:
PAGE 9PUTNAM COUNTY INDIANA
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will I lose my Homestead Deduction if I don’t provide the Assessor’s Office with a copy of my title?
YES.In order to confirm eligibility for the Homestead Deduction, you MUST provide the Assessor’s office with a copy of your mobile home title to ensure your existing deduction stays in place.
I sold my mobile home, why is my name still on the bill?
A copy of the title in the new owner’s name or a recorded contract to buy MUST be provided to the Assessor’s Office in order to change the ownership information. It is the seller’s responsibility to provide the buyer with a title transfer permit. This permit can be obtained from the Treasurer’s Office after all current and delinquent taxes are paid in full. The title transfer permit is then taken to the BMV along with the signed title, in order to obtain a new title for the buyer.
I provided the buyer of my mobile home with a signed title and a title transfer permit, what else do I need to do to get my name off of the parcel?
The Assessor’s Office MUST receive a copy of the new owner’s title before any ownership information is updated. You will need to follow up with the buyer to ensure that they did transfer the mobile home to their name.
I’m the buyer of the mobile home, why is my name not on the tax bill?
A copy of the title in your name or a recorded contract to buy MUST be provided to the Assessor’s Office in order to prove ownership.
PAGE 2PUTNAM COUNTY INDIANA
WHAT IS A MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY?
A “mobile home community” is defined by statue as
One (1) or more parcels of land … that are subdivided and contain individual lots that are leased or otherwise contracted; … that are owned, operated, or under the control of one (1) or more persons; and … on which a total of at least five (5) mobile homes or manufactured homes are located for purpose of being occupied as principal residences. [IC 16-41-27-5(a)]
The term “mobile home community” would include all real and personal property used in the operation of the mobile home community.
HOW ARE MOBILE HOME COMMUNITIES REGULATED?
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) regulates the “health, sanitation, and safety” of mobile home communities. The ISDH administers these regulations through its Mobile Home Community Construction Approval and Facility Licensing Program.
PAGE 3PUTNAM COUNTY INDIANA
HOW TO REPORT PROBLEMS IN YOUR MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY
A mobile home community may NOT be in operation without the proper license from the Indiana State Department of Health. Following its review, the Department may issue a four (4) year license, a temporary license, a license transfer, or notice of an adverse action on the license. Operating a mobile home community with a license is a Class B Misdemeanor.
The Mobile Home Community Construction Approval and Facility Licensing Program maintains a roster of licensed mobile home communities. In addition to maintaining a registry license, the Indiana State Department of Health may also “inspect” mobile home communities and “take necessary and reasonable steps … to determine whether or not … [the] community is in compliance with Indiana law.” An inspection by the Indiana State Department of Health may lead to compliance orders, enforcement proceedings, civil penalties, as well as other administrative adjudication procedures. A mobile home community that does not follow the appropriate procedures is at risk for being closed.
More information on regulations and laws is available through the Indiana State Department of Health’s Mobile Home Community Inspection and Licensing program:
Indiana State Department of Health
Environmental Public Health Division
2 North Meridian Street, 5E
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-1325
PAGE 8PUTNAM COUNTY INDIANA
ARE MOBILE HOME OWNERS ELIGIBLE FOR PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTIONS?
YES! Manufactured or mobile homes may be eligible for the following property tax deductions (which can reduce your tax bill):
Homestead Deduction
ONLY the titled owner or holder of a recorded contract is eligible for the homestead deduction AND the home must be your primary residence.
In most cases, the Homestead Deduction provides the largest reduction in assessed value and taxes.
Over 65 Years Old Deduction (& Surviving Spouses)
Disabled Veteran Deduction (Total or Partial)
Blind or Disabled Deduction
All deductions must be filed with the Putnam County Auditor’s Office by January 5 of the current year.
For more information about deductions please contact the Putnam County Auditor’s Office
PAGE 7PUTNAM COUNTY INDIANA
IS UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED TO GET A MOBILE HOME TITLED IN MY NAME?
NO. However, applicants for a title must submit documentation proving the applicant:
- Is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary/pending residence in the United States;
- Has conditional permanent resident status in the United States;
- Has an approved application for asylum in the United States or has entered into the United States refugee status;
- Has a valid, unexpired; nonimmigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa status for entry into the United States;
- Has a pending application for asylum in the United States;
- Has a pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
- Has approved deferred action status
The applicant must also provide evidence of his/her Social Security number (SSN) OR, if federal law prohibits the issuance of a SSN to the applicant, “the applicant must provide verification of the applicant’s ineligibility to be issued a Social Security number” [IC 9-24-16-3.5(2)].
For further information, see IC 9-24-9-2.5 & IC 9-24-16-3.5(1)
PAGE 4 PUTNAM COUNTY INDIANA
IS A PERMIT NEEDED TO MOVE A MOBILE HOME?
YES. A manufactured or mobile home may NOT be moved from one location to another unless the owner or occupier obtains a permit to move the home from the County Treasurer Office. The County Treasurer will issue the permit once any outstanding taxes on the home have been paid in full. The permit is valid for one month from the date of issue. If the home is unable to be moved during that time, a new permit must be obtained.
A person who moves a manufactured or mobile home without a moving permit commits a Class C infraction and may be fined up the $500 plus other costs.
IS A PERMIT OR TITLE NEEDED TO SELL OR TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF A MOBILE HOME?
YES. If you are selling or transferring ownership of a manufactured or mobile home, you MUST provide the purchaser with a title transfer permit before the sale can be completed. If any taxes are owed, they must be paid through the County Treasurer before the permit will be issued.
Any person who fails to provide a title transfer permit commits a Class C infraction and may be fined up to $500.
**All manufactured or mobile homes located in Indiana that are not attached to a permanent foundation MUST be titled through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles**
PAGE 5PUTNAM COUNTY INDIANA
WHAT TO DO IF THE TITLE HAS BEEN LOST OR DESTROYED
If a certificate of title is lost, destroyed, or becomes illegible, the titled owner can apply for a duplicate certificate of title through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS NO TITLED PROVIDED WITH THE PURCHSASE OF A MOBILE HOME
Anyone who purchases a home valued at five thousand dollars ($5,000) or less and is unable to obtain a properly executed title may obtain one by presenting ALL of the following items to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles:
- A valid bill of sale
- An affidavit of ownership on the BMV’s designated form
- A letter requesting the registered owner/seller to provide the signed title to the purchaser. The letter must have been:
- Sent to the seller by registered mail at the sellers last known address; and
- Returned to the sender unopened and marked as being unclaimed
- A VIN inspection
- A lien release, if necessary
PAGE 6PUTNAM COUNTY INDIANA
Anyone who purchases a mobile home valued at five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more and is unable to obtain a property executed title shall present a court order that establishes the buyer as the legal owner of the home for which the buyer is seeking a title.
If you are purchasing a mobile home or manufactured home, the seller MUST provide a title transfer permit and a signed certificate of title or purchase contract.
It is the BUYER’S responsibility to take the title to the BMV and have the home titled in their name. If buying on contract, the purchase contract should be recorded with the Putnam County Recorder’s Office.
PLEASE SUBMIT A
COPY OF YOUR TITLE
OR RECORDED
CONTRACT TO THE
PUTNAM COUNTY
ASSESSOR’S OFFICE!