Must I Move my Pre-1975 Mobilehome?

Published in THE VOICE November 2007 Page 3:

Are you prepared to walk away from your mobilehome?  Or perhaps sell it for much less than it is worth?  Or do you feel I’m making this up to scare you into action?  Well it is no joke and the signs are everywhere.  Just read about the veto of AB1542, or the “new” Proposition 90, or AB1309. 

This month carefully read the article on pages 12 and 13. (Here an owner refuses to let an owner sell in place – the reason “fire hazard.”  This is only one of many “reasons” park owners give to have older homes removed.)   This is not  an isolated situation.  Here are some of the key points of the article:  Park owners across the state are targeting mobilehomes, 1974 and older, claiming they are a fire hazard. In this particular case, the park owner has refused three different buyers for a 1972 mobilehome owned by an elderly couple who wanted to move closer to their daughter. They have had a health and safety inspection showing “the trailer is habitable and up to all relevant codes.” Even the fire department states “they’re (mobilehomes) are safe for what they are.”  The park owner claims allowing the sale “would have been far more beneficial to him financially.”

So why is this example important to you?  Over a year ago ex-GSMOL Manager Patricia Owens alerted me that the WMA was talking about this “fire hazard scenario” as a way to get all older mobilehomes removed from parks.  This is not an isolated incident, or an isolated park owner!  This is their PLAN! This is part of their strategy.   And who does it affect?  In my park alone, it affects about 65% of my neighbors!  Taken across the 4822 parks in the state, the scope is enormous.  And perhaps you think your newer home is not at stake.  Well think again.  In a neighboring park here in Chatsworth a manager was overheard saying “1974 mobilehomes and older will be the first, then 1976 and so on.” 

As Rosemary Tomai of Sonora stated in the article “It’s called greed, my dear.”  Park owners make lots of money when they get control of your space.  Counter to the claims of the park owner in the story, park owners benefit at least three different ways:  1.  In some rent control areas, when a     mobilehome is taken off the space, the rent may be increased without limit, 2.  The park owner makes a huge profit by selling a new manufactured home which has replaced the older home, and 3.  The value of the park has increased because of higher profit margins.

What will happen if this park owner wins his “test case.”  I’m sure the WMA and other park owner representatives will put out an alert.   Are you prepared for that day?  My observation is NO!  In general, mobilehome owners are not well informed, nor are they aware of the threats to their investment. At least you, as a CoMO-CAL members, are aware of the many threats.   We thank you for your support.