Recently SB 205 for rent control failed to pass the House. Thank goodness, because this was a horrible bill. I agree something needs to be done with the landowners who take advantage of the people in their park.
Bay City is a good example. This landowner raises the rent anywhere from two to 10 percent and does no improvements in the park. The best thing about the appearance of the park, and not about any of the homes in the park, is a beautiful sign at the entrance that was done by Preston Miller. After you pass the sign, it goes downhill from there. I think the office area is a dump and the park maintenance is rarely kept up.
The amenities are an old unkempt tennis court and a porta potty. We don’t even have blacktop roads throughout. But the landowner feels she is on the same playing field as the Pot Nets amenities and charges the higher rents. But we cannot accept the bill thinking just because it’s rent control it’s a good thing.
The first problem with the rent control bill was that it took away the assistance program for people in need. The next issue is that it placed the approval process in front of a group of volunteers who also had previous Delaware Mobile Homeowners Association board members on the committee. The other issue is that it controlled the landowners' profit margin, and anytime there is a gun to someone’s’ head it won’t work.
Over the past few years I have met with residents and landowners and I can tell you anytime DMHOA is involved with any type of legislation, it will be fought long and hard by residents and landowners alike.
I have watched over the past several years as issues with residents and landowners have been intelligently talked about and resolutions decided on without shoving ridiculous laws down people’s throats. I have sat back for years and watched the DMHOA board treat issues with landowners as an “us and them mentality.”
The only way any type of rent solution will be decided is if we work together. Not “us against them” mentality or approach. But you will not find one landowner who will meet with DMHOA. They have burned their bridges.
Just because I am a resident doesn’t entitle me to control or even know my landowner’s profit margin.
Many of our elected officials have businesses of their own. Do you think they would take their financials before a volunteer group of people to determine if they could raise their rates - a group on people who are not subject matter experts?
People through this entire country are suffering the same issues. Homes everywhere have lost value, not just manufactured housing. In the Senate meeting Ed Speraw stated his rent has gone up 6% each year.
Things everywhere would help if the housing market would get better. Through some type of mediation, we can ideally work out a solution. At least have an open dialogue.
Over the past two years I have met with residents and landowners and they have worked together on issues and it works! Just keep the DMHOA organizational as far away as possible. They are an embarrassment.
For the last several years I have met with many residents and landowners throughout the State of Delaware. Issues have been addressed by both sides meeting together. In times that are difficult for many families, businesses, and government entities it is especially important to foster partnerships that mutually benefits everyone.
We, as residents, need that opportunity to be able to work together and not have something shoved down our throats and the landowner’s throats simply because DMHOA has told you that’s the way it needs to be done. Listen to other people who are trying to tell you. I stopped drinking the DMHOA Kool-Aid a few years ago when I found out the truth. We need to move forward not backwards. We need to work together because this is not black and white. It’s has a domino effect to many businesses.
This bill didn’t address the issue, it created more issues A group of us will be working with landowners on manufactured housing issues to establish a win-win for both sides. Under no circumstances does DMHOA represent me or any of my family members. DMHOA has created an adversarial relationship and the problems we have to date are because DMHOA lacks the competence to negotiate.
Pat Weyl
Millsboro
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