The Manufactured Housing Forums

Does anyone know of a forum(s) that deal with the rights of owners in parks?

Tks much - jb

Not any specific to this topic but you can ask here or post here and start a thread. There are many knowledgeable folks here that should be able to help with any concerns you have.. tenet rights are usually spelled out in each state's laws and can be quite different in each state. But some here are very good at finding info on state web sites..If you have any specific concerns post them here..Stop back here often

Tks much, RM.

I am in FL and purchased an older MH 6 months ago in a old park.

Except for a small club house and the park pays for the water - which there is a running battle going on due to very low water pressure - and mowing nothing else is provided.

I have been told by a lady on the homeowners asso. that the rent is going from $345.00 to $365.00/mo Jan 1. I - nor anyone else that I know of - has been notified of this as yet. The rent was raised $20.00 last year.

This is a 55+ park with most everyone on SS - many have already been forced out of their homes - they can't sell them so just walk away - because of the high rent.

Another problem is that the park is divided into 3 parts, depending upon when the parts were opened up.

The first part has VERY small lots with some units only 5-6 feet from the next units parking slab and all very old - 30year + single wide units on them.

The second has larger lots with newer single wide units.

The third has nice size lots with double wides on them.

EVERYONE PAYS THE SAME RENT.

I purchased this unit fully furnished for only $2500.00 6 months ago.

There were 8 units like it on the market then and now there are about 20.

The park manager - maybe working with the park owner - buys the units at fire sale prices and resells them. (One lady was babysitting her Granddaughter - they told her she could not do so. She put her unit on the market at $16,000.00 - a fair price at the time - and later sold it for $6,000.00 because of the high park rent and lack of amenities.)

I know Florida is not the most "consumer friendly" state but where can I find information as to what rights renters in parks have?

Thank you for any help. jb

It is always better to do the research before you buy. Get out the copies of the papers you signed when you moved in and read your lot rental agreement and park rules. Management in Florida parks is restricted from treating you differently than any other residents, and is required by law to give you a copy of the park rules when you sign your rental agreement.

If your park has more then 25 homes then the owners must have all rent increases approved by the state.... see the Mobile Home Park Florida Law Articles .....Learn Your Rights at http://www.corallakemhp.com/legallinks.html

Tks David - my interest isn't so much for me but for others here. This is an old park and most everyone here is on SS and are being killed with the economy as it is. I am a Real Estate agent but know nothing about the legal rights of owners in parks.

As I understand it, the board of the HOA has been negotiating with the owner for rent increases and the last two were done with the President not even bringing it up to the rest of the board.

We have very nice parks around here with lower rents and all the "goodies" to go with it - pool, nice club house, complete grounds maintenance, cable TV, etc.

As I showed above, this park is old with older homes just jammed together - none would meet counties restrictions now - with virtually no "goodies" and higher rent.

Just doesn't seem right that an owner can raise rent to whatever level they want when we have no options to move out. - jb