ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – Hundreds of mobile homeowners from across the state will be meeting with state lawmakers in the coming weeks to express their concerns about higher lot rental costs. They say it’s due to a rash of out-of-state investment groups that have been purchasing mobile home communities.
Resident Sammi Silver says her lot rent has gone up more than 40% in the past five years.
“I had to go back to work after 30 years of hard work at UPS, to afford my life rent now,” explained Silver.
A bill to be introduced at the Legislature next session would cap lot rental increases to 3% annually and give residents the chance to purchase the lot in the park they live in.
“When my lot rent goes up, I can’t just leave. It’s not that simple,” explained Silver. “My home isn’t truly mobile. It costs thousands of dollars to move and most parks won’t even take a house over five-years old.”
Mobile home owners and state lawmakers will be participating in several forums over the next few weeks in 10 Senate districts across the state.
About 180,000 Minnesotans live in manufactured homes. Senator Liz Boldon (D-Oronoco) and Representative Matt Norris (D-Coon Rapids) are the bill’s authors.
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