Security Gates

[wendys8861]

Quick question...My sister and mother both live in a park in California. The park recently installed security gates which are locked after 5pm. Each tenant was issued 1 remote for the gates. This is the only entrance/exit to the park.

A few nights ago, my sister was returning with my disabled mother from an appointment and the gates were closed. Their remote did not work. After sitting there for a few minutes, other tenants also began to pull up behind her and their remotes did not work, either. Finally, one of the people in the back of the line walked into the park through a walk-thru gate that had not been shut properly and walked the the maintenance man's apartment (manager doesn't answer her phone after 5pm) and after about 1/2 hour, he came and put in the "code" to open the gate.

My sister and mother have asked for the access code in the event this happens again and the manager refused to give it out. She said that because the tenants have remotes, there is no need to give the code out and the only people that need it are her and her brother (the maintenance guy).

I can understand her not wanting the entire world to know the gate code, but to prevent paying tenants, some who are disabled from potentially having access to their home seems to be stupid and careless, but is it illegal? Does anybody know if there are any regulations reqarding this? The park owner is no help. He thinks his incompetant manager (who violates the law repeatedly - ie..refusing to give out the park owners name when asked...violating park rules herself and allowing her "family" to violate rules, but citing others for the same thing, etc.) is the best thing since sliced bread.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[David Oxhandler]

Sounds like a Homeowners Association is needed. Many large parks and rental complexes have Homeowners Association that negotiate with the landlord. It is a lot easier when you have organization and numbers.

"Most homeowner associations are incorporated, and are subject to state statutes that govern non-profit corporations and homeowner associations. State oversight of homeowner associations is minimal, and mainly takes the form of laws, which are inconsistent from state to state. Some states, such as Florida and California, have a large body of homeowner association law, and some states, such as Massachusetts, have virtually no homeowner association law."
Wikipedia

Residents of any manufactured home park can join together with their neighbors to form a homeowners association (also known as an HOA). The concept is simple: there is great strength in numbers. Homeowners associations give structure and legitimacy to any group of neighbors who want to organize to protect and improve their community.

Homeowners associations strengthen the voices of mobile/manufactured homeowners in negotiation, and help them to: preserve property values, create safe neighborhoods, and ensure that park management complies with the law. In short: they are assets to the parks, and the community as a whole

See - The Manufactured Home Owners Association of America, Forming A Home Owners Association