Community Managers Accused of taking Residents’ Property

Chicago-based Zeman Homes acquired the former Touhy Mobile Home Park in Des Plaines, Ill. and renamed it Blackhawk Estates, as MHProNews reported Jan 15, 2013. Following a story we posted July 23, 2014 regarding allegations that Zeman Homes managers are fining residents for leaving items outside, at a meeting with fair housing advocates and State Rep. Marty Moylan (D-55th), residents complained community managers are heavy-handed even for minor infractions. Gathering at the Des Plaines library, some 150 residents heard allegations that children are being fined for playing in yards and street, and one resident was warned that any “unapproved items” left in yards or on a porch could be seized and stored at a cost of $10/day, according to journal-topics.com.

Fair housing lawyer Kelli Dudley says any items taken by management from a porch amounts to theft and the Cook County Sheriff should be notified. Residents say when they have called police in the past, the they would say there is nothing they can do. However, a spokeswoman for the Cook County Sheriff’s office said there has been only one call about a theft at Blackhawk recently. MHProNews has learned Dudley suggested the residents keep notes of interactions with management, and if possible have a witness. Rep. Moylan told residents if management takes private property they should call the sheriff and then call his office for follow-up. Writer Tom Robb says calls to Zeman Homes were not returned by press time.

MHC property management companies often point out that the guidelines for living – the various rules, regulations and enforcement of the same – cited state or locale health, safety and other ordinances as the basis for some of their rules.  Also, managers often say that a neat and clean community protects the home values of residents.##

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(Image credit: Zeman Homes)