The VCStar tells us from Ventura County, California a rent increase at an MHC has triggered a lawsuit by residents challenging the Thousand Oaks City Council’s decision of last year to remove the age and income restriction agreement for determining site rents and instead place that authority under the auspices of the revised rent stabilization board. Residents of Ranch Mobile Home Park currently pay an average of $132/mth, but under the new agreement rent will rise $191.95 over seven years. Average site rent in other MHCs in Thousand Oaks is $450/mth. Ranch residents contend in the lawsuit the increase will be more than they can afford because they are seniors on fixed incomes, and have asked a judge to reinstate the income and age restriction. The original agreement between MHC owners and residents was welcomed as fair by most other MHC residents, but Ranch representatives walked out of the mediation meetings. MHProNews has learned the rent restrictions have been in effect since 1977.
