Cal. Civ. Code § 20
Gifts, Donations, Bonus, Gratuity, Etc
Operative Text
Gifts, Donations, Bonus, Gratuity, Etc. (a) Any park owner who, directly or indirectly, receives, collects or accepts from any person any donation, gratuity, bonus or gift, in addition to lawful charges, upon the representation that compliance with the request or demand will facilitate, influence or procure an advantage in entering into an agreement, either oral or written, for the lease or rental of real property, or contract of sale of a mobile home, or any park owner or his representative, who refuses to enter into such lease or contract of sale unless he receives, directly or indirectly, a donation, gratuity, bonus or gift, or any park owner or his representative who directly or indirectly aids, abets, requests or authorizes any other person to violate any provision of this Section, commits a violation of this Act. (b) Any person who pays such donation, gratuity, bonus or gift may recover twice its value, together with costs of the action, against any such person in violation of this Section.
Section 20 of 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 742 prohibits mobile home park owners—and anyone acting on their behalf—from soliciting or accepting any payment beyond lawful charges (such as a gift, bonus, or gratuity) as a condition of, or advantage in, entering into a lease, rental agreement, or mobile home sale contract. The ban covers both direct and indirect receipt of such payments, as well as aiding or encouraging others to engage in the same conduct. A person who does pay such an unlawful amount has a civil remedy to recover twice the value of what was paid, plus the costs of bringing the action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Park owners and their representatives subject to 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 742 § 20 generally ensure that all charges collected from prospective or current residents are limited to those expressly permitted by law or the governing lease or sale agreement. Compliant operators do not condition lease approvals, rental agreements, or mobile home sale contracts on the receipt of any gift, gratuity, bonus, or donation—whether solicited openly or through indirect means. Operators also take care that staff and agents are trained not to request, authorize, or facilitate such payments on the operator's behalf.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 742 § 20, prospective or current mobile home park residents have the right to enter into a lease, rental agreement, or purchase contract without being required to pay any gift, gratuity, bonus, or donation beyond lawful charges. If such a payment was made, the law provides a civil remedy allowing the person who paid to seek recovery of twice the amount paid, along with court costs. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated may wish to document the payment, consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Illinois mobile home park law, or explore available civil court options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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