Leases

[Marci]

I live in the southeast area of Michigan where there are several MH communities with in a 15 mile radius. When I moved into this community I was told we would have one year leases, and they would not consider a two year lease. On my renewal date of 8/1/02 I reveived a rent increase of $20, now again starting 2/1/03 they are raising the rent again another $20. The notice was received on 1/4/03 which is less than 30 days but the real concern is they are telling everyone they were only on a lease for the first year and then it was month to month. Now they want everyone to sign a lease on 2/1/03 with the new rate, yet many of us feel when we got our rent raised just a few months ago was our yearly renewal. I checked with many of the communities around us and they all offer yearly leases, infact some offer more than a year at a time. I thought these communities were
Land lease communities, the owners own the property that increases in value not the house. It has always been that way with leases and rentals, even in the appartment world. If you sign a lease you have the option to renewal for another year. IS THIS CORRECT OR FAIR, OR ARE WE THE COMMUNITY BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGED OF????????

[rmurray]

You have to look at your original lease..Sounds like the renewal was automatic with the price increase..if so then you probably still have a yearly lease...but when renewal comes again the park can refuse to renew unless on month to month..

The biggest problem with park living is this constant rent increases..some state have laws to protect manufactured home residents from this...but not all..

Do you have a homeowners association???Are you a mamber..The one thing a park fears is everyone moving...empty spaces are hard to fill right now..Most legitimate parks welcome an active homeowners association...Gives them a level of communication they do not already have...Good Luck

[Marci]

Actually our community does not have a residents association, this community is new in the last three years and now has a phase two. After reading the Manufactured Home Community Rules and Regulations, we are now in the process or getting an association together. It also states that they have to offer residents a lease or obtain a written refusal or delcine of a lease. I have since been contacting people from MMHA and the Mobile Home Commissions Act for further clarification on our leases. Thanks Murry

[Jerry Lenhard]

Marci: I live in a Resident Owned Park near San Diego, Ca. Our HOA dues are
$l07 mo which includes water, sewer fees, trash pick-up etc. You should
consider buying your park, as I believe Michigan allows residents to BUY their
park at Fair Market Value, which I would pursue, if I lived there. If you have a
fax I can send you a reference number of some Michigan Laws that pertain
to mobilehome owner rights under Michigan Law.Several years ago, AARP
did a report on mobilehome park conditions nationwide. In the back of the
report are listed laws from each state. The name of the booklet is "Shifting
the Balance of Power". The booklet order no. is: PF4600 (1091).D14131
I think it's out of print though; that's why I'm willing to send you copies
from mine.

[Marci]

Jerry: This community is very new, about three years old and they are putting in a phase two, which should of opened last year but did not. It is planned to open late spring, but they had some set backs with the township. The owners kind of played dirty with one of their residents at a Board of Trustee meeting and the township has been making things difficult for them. And yes, Please fax the information if it's not a problem for you. I can receive at 734-461-6481, just make it attention to Marci, Lot #82. This is the community fax number and they will be notified that I'm expecting the Fax. Thanks Jerry.