Pennsylvania Mobile Home Park Rights Act: Homeowner Lawsuits?
Two Pennsylvania State Legislators have recently introduced new legislation to “to help protect owners of manufactured housing, or mobile homes, from unreasonable and unexpected ground rent fees.”
Despite this, thousands of owners of manufactured and mobile homes have and continue to be subjected to various violations of the Pennsylvania Mobile Home Parks Rights Act, (hereinafter “MHPRA”), 68 P.S. § 398.1 et. seq.
For instance, the MHPRA, explicitly provides that owners of manufactured housing or mobile homes be provided a complete disclosure in writing of “all rent, fees, service charges, and assessments.” Despite this, many homeowners are being subjected to fraudulent billing practices, undisclosed and hidden charges, fees, and rents.
The MHPRA also sets forth that “rules and rental charges should be uniformly applied to all mobile home residents or prospective mobile home residents.” As a result of the slowing housing market, many mobile home park operators are opting to provide special incentives, discounts, and privileges to new home-owners at the expense of existing home-owners.
The MHRA also prohibits that a mobile home park owner or operator, require residents to purchase additions and alterations, such as a porch, awning, deck or garage, from a “supplier designated by the park owner or operator.” Many home-owners are unaware of this, and instead of shopping around for the best price, are required to purchase add-ons from the park owner or operator.
If you or someone you know is a manufactured housing or mobile home owner, and have experienced any of the above issues or other potential violations of the MHPRA, please contact our law-firm immediately for a free consultation.
