LEESBURG, FLa. – It was supposed to be an affordable place to live, but now many people are getting priced out of their mobile homes.
Residents told News 6 corporations are buying up mobile home parks and then jacking up the lot rent. In many of these parks, homeowners lease the land beneath their homes.
News 6 has spotlighted the affordable housing issue in Osceola and Volusia counties, and now residents in Lake County have reached out with their concerns.
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Jodi Heger, a resident of Spanish Village—a 55-and-up mobile home community in Leesburg—has seen her lot rent nearly double in just two years. She started off paying around $480 a month, but soon she will be paying $850.
“People are on a budget, as well as myself,” Heger said.
When asked if management provided reasons for the increases, Heger said, “No. Just because they can do it, because there’s no cap saying they can and can’t.”
Peggy Elam, another resident, is facing similar challenges. Her daughter Amber sent a message to the News 6 Results Desk about the rising costs.
“This house was set here in 1994, and when my father-in-law bought this home, I promised to take care of it. Now we may have no choice but to sell it,” Elam said.
News 6 found out many residents are putting their mobile homes for sale because they cannot afford the rent. Many are on fixed incomes, relying on Social Security and small retirements, if they have any at all.
Philip Roy, the HOA president, told News 6 that out of 36 homes for sale in Spanish Village, 32 were listed because the owners could no longer afford the lot rent. According to Roy, this increase in rent is also making it difficult for residents to sell their homes.
“Houses in the area were going for $120,000, $130,00, $140,000, $150,000 and now are being driven down to the 30s ($30,000) and $40,000. So people are actually losing their equity in their homes very quickly,” Roy said.
News 6 received this statement from a spokesperson for Spanish Village:
"While Spanish Village is committed to offering competitive rates, adjustments are necessary to ensure we can continue to provide a safe, well-maintained community. We’re consistently enhancing the community with impactful upgrades - including new roads, golf course installation, clubhouse renovations, extensive landscaping and tree work, and more. The new rates will go into effect June 1, 2025. Spanish Village is a 55+ community, and we recognize that affordability is a key concern for many of our residents.
We value every resident who calls our property home and want our members to remain an integral part of our community. Spanish Village has resources available upon request to help those who may be facing financial difficulties, including information on nearby organizations that can help with rent assistance. We encourage residents to reach out to our office with any questions.”
Hope Beitchman, The Power Group
Legislative efforts for relief
Last July, a new law took effect, giving mobile home owners and park owners the option to go to mediation over lot rent disputes. Under House Bill 613 - Mobile Home Park Lot Tenancies, civil action cannot be taken until the dispute has been submitted.
State Rep. Paula Stark, helped draft the legislation, however, she told News 6 some mobile home park owners are finding a way to get out of mediation. She said she is working with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to see if there are any loopholes and if more legislation is necessary to stop this from happening.
News 6 asked Stark if Florida’s legislature would ever put a cap on how much the lot rent could increase a year.
“We have those conversations lightly, behind the scenes sometimes and you really don’t hear that being part of the solution, but I’m not going to say to you that that can’t be part of the solution,” according to Stark.
Stark is trying to get more relief for residents in mobile home parks this legislative session. She is pushing for the passage of House Bill 701- Local Housing Assistance Plans. If passed, mobile home homeowners can apply for lot rent assistance from their local government.
If you are experiencing skyrocketing lot rent, Stark encourages you to call your state representative.
“I think it has resonated across the state now. I think a lot of the other state reps have seen what’s been going on and because of the initiative that’s happened here, a lot of people have been reaching out to their own reps,” Stark said.