Residents also mentioned old electrical boxes, tree branches falling onto homes, trash in the rear of the property and sinkholes from broken water mains.
The leases, some of which are 15 years old, include water, sewer and garbage pickup, but some residents have complained the owner, MHPI Inc., is installing water meters in violation of their leases.
Owner Jim Soboleski said the meters are being installed because of high water usage. Residents will pay $39.69 each month for the next two years instead of a rent increase. “We have absorbed [water costs] for as long as we could,” he said. “Eventually, it will be based on usage. We wanted to do everything at one time; the meters and the roads.” The roads have since been repaired, and the debris beyond the community has also been removed, as MHProNews has been told.
In the meantime, residents have been in contact with Terry Nelson, board president of the nonprofit organization Mobile Home Owners Association of Illinois. On Aug. 16 about 20 residents met with Nelson, noting that typical rent increases have been $5 a month for seniors and disabled residents, and up to $25 a month for all others.
Soboleski said he has communities in Florida that have homeowners associations, but that sometimes it is easier to just deal with one person. “There’s probably not a fairer owner in our industry than me. Rent increases in the last few years have been minimal,” he said. “If they want to do it, go ahead.”
(Photo credit: Hometown America–Saddlebrook Farms in Illinois)
