(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the department in each individual case may specify the terms of the contract entered into with the purchaser, but no property sold under this article shall, voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, be transferred, assigned, encumbered, leased, let or sublet, in whole or in part, nor shall any mobilehome be removed from its original site, except in case of emergency where temporary removal is necessary to avoid potential damage, without the written consent of the department, until the purchaser has paid therefor in full and has complied with all the terms and conditions of this contract of purchase. The department may give its written consent to such transfers, assignments, encumbrances, leasings, lettings or sublettings, or removals, for good cause shown, subject to the interest of the department and consistent with the purposes of this article.

(b) The consent of the department shall not be required where a veteran, alone or jointly with his spouse, transfers his interest in property which is the subject of a loan agreement with the department into a revocable trust established for the benefit of the veteran or of the veteran and his spouse.

(c) The department may consent to an assignment in favor of a nonveteran spouse if a veteran purchaser qualifies as “a person in long-term care” as defined in Section 14050.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code if the department is satisfied that the interest of the veteran is adequately protected. If consent is given to the assignment, the contract shall continue at the same rate of interest and upon the same terms and conditions as are provided to veteran purchasers. Consent by the department to the assignment shall be deemed given if the assignment is pursuant to a court order, and if notice of the hearing was provided to the department at least 30 days prior to the hearing at which the court order was issued.

(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 526, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)