Mobile-park residents in California protest park conversion to condo p...
Outrage Mobile-Home Parks Face Condo Battle
Under California law local rent control laws are void once a park is a condo property
A California law designed to protect hundreds of thousands of residents living in mobile-home parks is now being used as a weapon against them. The law, which streamlines the conversion of mobile-home parks to condominium properties, was intended to help people who rent their lots to buy them, gaining collective control of the park. Mobile-home residents have condoed 150 parks on their own initiative, gaining the protection that comes from owning the land where their homes sit. But now, at least a dozen park owners are moving to convert their parks to condo properties whether the residents want that or not. Park owners say the conversions are a win-win: they make money and residents can own their lots. Moreover, the valuable land remains a mobile-home park rather than being sold to developers. But many residents cannot afford to buy their lots. The big catch: Under California law local rent control laws are void once a park is a condo property More than 100 California towns and counties have rent controls for park lots to preserve them as affordable housing. While low-income mobile-home owners have some state rent protection, others of modest means do not. "Most of us can't afford the $100,000 to $200,000 a lot could cost," says Diane Shepard, 69, who resides in a 100-unit park for retirees in Sonoma County. She lives on Social Security alone and would get state rent protection. "But we have a number of older people here who live on modest pensions and can't afford to lose local rent control and see their rents go up by hundreds of dollars a year." So far, only one park owner in the state has completed a conversion to condos, but the push is on, says John Tennyson, a legislative consultant for manufactured housing. While local officials scramble to pass ordinances declaring a moratorium on conversions, park owners are countering with lawsuits. Meanwhile, the state legislature is considering several bills, pro-owner and pro-resident, on the issue. "This promises to be a very big battle," Tennyson says. A California law designed to protect hundreds of thousands of residents living in mobile-home parks is now being used as a weapon against them. The law, which streamlines the conversion of mobile-home parks to condominium properties, was intended to help people who rent their lots to buy them, gaining collective control of the park. Mobile-home residents have condoed 150 parks on their own initiative, gaining the protection that comes from owning the land where their homes sit. But now, at least a dozen park owners are moving to convert their parks to condo properties whether the residents want that or not. Park owners say the conversions are a win-win: they make money and residents can own their lots. Moreover, the valuable land remains a mobile-home park rather than being sold to developers. But many residents cannot afford to buy their lots. The big catch: Under California law local rent control laws are void once a park is a condo property More than 100 California towns and counties have rent controls for park lots to preserve them as affordable housing. While low-income mobile-home owners have some state rent protection, others of modest means do not. "Most of us can't afford the $100,000 to $200,000 a lot could cost," says Diane Shepard, 69, who resides in a 100-unit park for retirees in Sonoma County. She lives on Social Security alone and would get state rent protection. "But we have a number of older people here who live on modest pensions and can't afford to lose local rent control and see their rents go up by hundreds of dollars a year." So far, only one park owner in the state has completed a conversion to condos, but the push is on, says John Tennyson, a legislative consultant for manufactured housing. While local officials scramble to pass ordinances declaring a moratorium on conversions, park owners are countering with lawsuits. Meanwhile, the state legislature is considering several bills, pro-owner and pro-resident, on the issue. "This promises to be a very big battle," Tennyson says. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
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