The report says the manufactured housing industry has greatly improved in the past 30 years, but that its image remains tarnished in the eyes of consumers. "Manufacturers will need to assume greater responsibility for the final product and regulators need to be much more responsive to consumers," said Kevin Jewell, a Consumers Union policy associate and author of the report.

The report says that the TDHCA should provide more relevant information to consumers, investigate all complaints and develop a clear sense of purpose as a consumer protection agency. The agency responds that it has made several changes, including making it easier to file complaints, since the report's information was compiled.

Consumers Union's other recommendations address the industry itself. The group says all manufactured homes should be inspected. Currently, random inspections check 25% of the homes. The final payment for a home should be held in escrow until installation and warranty repairs are complete and verified by a third party. An extended split warranty system should be implemented that would provide general protection for the first year and a structural warranty for five years that would cover troubles not found in the first year.