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• Galt councilman wants to look at rent control for mobile home parks

• Rent control: Proponents

• Rent control: Opponents

• In Fairfield, mobile home tenants own their parks

• Summit offers ways to boost Downtown Lodi's image

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November 20th, 2009

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• Regional Roundup

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• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

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November 19th, 2009

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

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• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

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• Logbook

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Rent control: Proponents

While sitting in her living room surrounded by artwork of landscapes, some of which she painted, Ruth DeGroot said she and her husband have spent years perfecting their home.

"My husband walked up these steps and said we going to be here until we are in our box," DeGroot said.

Mobile home park living is unique because tenants maintain their property, including landscaping, as a typical home — they just don't own the land, DeGroot said.

Even though DeGroot lives in Galt Mobile Estates, it is a misnomer to say her home is moveable. It would cost tens of thousands of dollars, and even if she could afford to move it, there are few available spaces in California and most would not take her mobile home because it is too old.

She said park owners can make changes without notice. For example, her park went from a quiet senior park to one allowing families, which she said led to drugs coming into the park.

She does not understand why park owners would be so opposed to rent control, because it doesn't prevent them from earning a profit.

"They know when they buy these parks, they are going to be working with fixed income," DeGroot said. "Why are they so greedy?"

When DeGroot and her husband moved in 1991, rent was $195, but now it is more than $400.

One of her main concerns is that she has researched other cities where owners have been priced out or required tenants to buy their land, which many people on fixed incomes cannot afford.

"We are at their mercy," she said. "They can do whatever they want."

DeGroot and Marie Hall, a resident in Three Palms Mobile Home, both said an ordinance would help keep rents under control.

Hall said there are no protections for homeowners, and a 90-day notice doesn't matter if the rent skyrockets, because residents either have to find some way to pay or abandon their home.

Hall knows of many seniors who bought their home 20 or 30 years ago and are on fixed incomes.

"It's not to rob anyone, or cheat anyone," she said. "It's to protect seniors now and in the future — especially in the future."

Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com.