The topic at the Camarillo (Calif.) City Council turned to rent control as requested by residents of the Lamplighter Mobile Home Park because of their grievances against the owner, Irvine-based Investment Property Group (IPG). Members of the 227 homesite community say the swimming pool area is not kept up and the roads need work, but mostly complain about the rent increases, according to thecamarillosacorn.com. While the president of the homeowners association says the rent has increased steeply the last four years, Amber Monte, representing IPG, replies that rent has increased 3.3 percent the last four years. Noting that the national average is 2.8 percent, she says demand in Ventura County for land drives up prices, and that the company has spent $350,000 on upgrades since acquiring the community in 2010, and has targeted $200,000 more.

Knowing the experience of other California cities that have spent thousands of dollars defending rent control and losing, City Attorney Brian Pierik says the only towns that have won are those where rent control has been in effect for many years, as MHProNews.com knows. The city does have a rent review board but it can only make recommendations. ##

(Photo credit: zillow.com/Lamplighter Mobile Home Park, Camarillo, Calif.)