did not appear to meet state code

But taxes are low in those states.

There might be many houses in the states that do not meet codes.

Fear of being sued can be a strong motivator to do what's right.

But GOP states hate big government.

and most states require a certain minimum number of tie downs (4) minimum.

When I last ran a mobile home park we required a minimum of 4 tie downs per MH (mobile home), but always went with 8 tie downs on our particular MHs (those not owned by us would do the minimum number plus). You definitely can tell the difference between 4 and 8 tie downs. W/ 4 tie downs, you can hear vibrations still and feel people, washer/dryer/AC going when you walk through the MH. With 8, no noise or very little noise/vibration is heard.

The tie downs were (then, late 70s-80s) were $40 each. A small piece really to pay considering that the tie downs reduce noise, reduce vibrations especially if you're running a washer/dryer, etc. Usually these tie downs are a band of metal that goes through the metal structure of the MH and then on both sides, are looped into the 'anchors' which are screwed into the ground underneath the MH.

This is a one time cost too, and I don't really understand why the reluctance...when someone moves into a new place (MH park), the MH is either brand new, and thus, needs tie downs put in, or the tie downs are older (already there) and should have been checked by the new owners prior to buying the used MH.

Sometimes MHs are brought in the second hand market where someone brought them for a son or daughter, something like that, and simply just parked the MH there on their property (no tie downs). Irresponsible.

And if the area has a code inspector, that inspector should be actually inspecting.

mobile home inspector or the like in all of the years I've deal w/ MHs (I'm in MO). Maybe in some places where modular homes are more prevalent, e.g., FL or CA? I know most MH parks have an 'inspector' too, to ensure that all MHs are anchored correctly, are sided properly, wired and plumbed correctly too, but outside of these parks? I kind of doubt it.

Maybe a bank or something like that sending out an inspector, but banks usually don't deal w/ mobile homes or their financing (they avoided it, avoided the insurance too (because MHs are 'mobile'). We always had to go to the 2nd hand market to get.). More than likely, an insurance company would inspect, but most of these people living in these MHs are already strapped for money, so more than likely, won't even have insurance (if MH is used). They would have insurance if brought new (part of financing / loan process in buying).

Again, very good thought, but as to reality? Other than the fact of trying to keep up w/ locations of these MHs for tax records and so forth, and then perhaps send out inspectors to inspect, I wouldn't really know how such an inspection process would work. Such a program as you suggest would definitely cut down the number of death by fire etc. in these structures.

The cost of eight anchors, even self-installed, is not trivial to someone living on the edge.

Someone who is disabled and has no tools handy isn't going to be doing this:

will probably be the first to sue the County inspectors.

Count on it

Most OSHA and building codes are the result of blood and injury, yet people still try their best to get around them.

Either way, you lose the trailer.

A tornado will tear them up. They are lightweight and anchoring them only provides some safety.

The best advice: Get out!

Pre '76 there were no regs, after that HUD enacted some, and post '92, Fla anyway requires MH's to withstand 100mph winds.
Still not a place to be in a tornado of course.

What it won't do, if they're anchored properly, is pick the entire things up and throw them around.

Long time no see - I agree get out but you don't have to die if they are anchored

I save up my energy for arguing with other people mostly.

to get VA/FHA financing, they have to be on a pad and have to have anchors every so many feet (can't remember exact number). Of course, we don't get a lot of tornadoes in Oregon. Still, the newer one's are better built and can be anchored well if you care about safety.

I remember some years ago, a southern state voting down this requirement because it would cost too much.

I am always amazed that people vote against their own interests

Death is preferable.

There are some tornadoes that no MH can withstand, and I would say the category 4 in Alabama, the MHs would have a very hard time surviving such winds. Why shelters are so important (or a major building nearby, such as a laundry, would suffice as a shelter too (if built to code, concrete blocks, etc.)).