ORLANDO, Fla. – Manufactured home residents across Florida are facing rising lot rents as corporations buy communities and increase fees drastically.
Many of the parks are 55+ communities and owners say these hikes far outpace the cost of living and Social Security increases.
Beverly Loringer, who lives at Quail Run Estates in West Melbourne, has been fighting back against these rent increases for three years.
She called News 6 after seeing a report about similar hikes at another 55-and-up park owned by Legacy Communities.
“It’s higher than the cost of living. I mean, our Social Security doesn’t go up that much,“ Loringer said.
She and her spouse have had their home on the market for over a year but lost the one potential buyer when they learned the lot rent would jump from $600 to more than $900 a month if they bought it.
Loringer shared emails showing other residents facing increases between $290 and $500 starting in January, causing significant hardship.
To combat this, Loringer helped form a homeowners committee under Florida’s Chapter 723 statute.
The committee is allowed to meet with park owners to discuss rent increases and can negotiate or initiate mediation if no agreement is reached.
However, Legacy Communities sent the committee a letter denying their request for a meeting, citing a technicality about documentation.
“They stated that since we did not send the documents, saying how we established this committee, that they were not going to offer us that initial meeting according to Chapter 723,” Loringer said.
“I’m hoping they grant us the petition for mediation because we did follow the rules of the chapter of the statute,” she said.
Loringer believes companies are exploiting loopholes to avoid mediation.
“Absolutely,” she said.
State Rep. Paula Stark confirmed this is a widespread problem. “It has become a huge issue,” she said.
Stark is working on legislation to close the mediation loophole in the next legislative session.
“We have put a bill in drafting. It is moving forward. I’m putting a contingency of representatives together,” she explained.
She also praised media coverage for keeping attention on the issue.
“Thankfully, our media has been staying on top of it. I’m so appreciative of you all.”
Homeowners like Loringer say legislative action cannot come soon enough.
“I think it’s absolutely horrible what this company and other companies similar to this company are doing to the seniors of this, not only in Florida but all over the country,” she said.
News 6 asked Legacy Communities the reason for the increase in lot rent as well as if it’s open to mediation, a spokesperson sent News 6 this email statement:
“Legacy Communities is committed to our residents and to providing affordable and quality communities. Our sole business is managing manufactured home communities and we take pride in maintaining and improving our communities, fostering a community-like culture, and ensuring residents experience high-level customer service. Last year, Legacy invested approximately $250,000 in capital improvements at Quail Run, including infrastructure and road improvements, and upgrades to the pool area and recreational amenities.
Average rents at Quail Run are 29% below comparable communities in the area. In 2026, the majority of residents’ rent increases will not exceed $75/month. A few residents assumed a previous resident’s lease during 2025. Under Florida law, and clearly outlined when they purchased the home, those residents agreed to a new rent when the previous rental term expired. That agreement explained what the new rent would be.
Legacy’s business model is to keep our existing residents in-place, and we are diligent in working to keep our communities affordable."
Andrew Fells, President, Legacy Communities