Virginia Chappell, who lived in Autumn Lake Pointe MHC (MHC) in southwest Jefferson County, KY, alleges breach of contract, abuse of process and violations of the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act for illegally evicting residents.
The lawsuit was filed by 16 current and former residents, but on behalf of all residents of the 17 MHCs owned by SSK, charging SSK with refusing to renew leases, even if residents were current, and evict residents who failed to pay utility bills. Residents then would have to spend up to $5000 to move their homes or abandon them.
SSK had asked Jefferson County Circuit Judge James Shake to throw out the lawsuit, but he said there was enough factual claims to allow the suit to go forward. SSK spokeswoman Kathy Groob said, “We will continue to vigorously defend our company’s interests and to protect our residents and their families living in our communities.”
Nathan Smith, company owner and co-founder, is the most recent past chairman of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), and as MHProNews reported Nov. 3, 2015, was just chosen by Gov. Steve Beshear to serve on the CVG airport board of directors.
The lawsuit states SSK owns seven MHCs in Jefferson County, and sells and rents manufactured homes and charges $300 monthly for site rental and utilities.
Sewage system leaks at Ashley Pointe last summer led to resident complaints that resulted in enforcement actions by the county health department and the KY EPA. ##
(Photo credit: nkytribune/James McNair–Autumn Lake Pointe MHC)
