Rent control: Opponents

Bill Schiller describes tenants seeking rent control as "really insulting to us," especially when rents are much higher in Lodi.

While sitting in their rental office, Three Palms Mobile Estates owner Homer Beldt and Schiller, who is the property manager for Three Palms, discussed why they vehemently oppose what they see as rent control.

Beldt said he does not know why tenants are pushing for this ordinance because Galt park owners already police themselves.

"I can understand (tenants') concerns," Beldt said. "We can raise rents however we want and they would be the victims, but why are you picking on people with such a good track record?"

If the city passes an ordinance, Schiller said the mobile home park owners will sue, which will cost the city money.

"Anything that takes the rights away from the park owner — see you in court," he said.

Schiller said there are other options to consider, but he feels that the council originally went behind the property owner's back before talking to them.

"They were going to try to ram rent control down our throats without talking to us," he said.

While he already tries to keep rates lower than the Consumer Price Index, Beldt does not want an ordinance mandating it.

"We want it to be fair on both sides, and rent control has been notoriously not fair," Beldt said. "No matter what you charge, it's going to be too much for some people."

In other cities, he said tenants will pass rent control tied to the CPI and then come back to try and change it to 75 or 50 percent of the CPI.

Beldt, who owns five mobile home parks, said he has fought or found other alternatives to rent control with other parks.

In Amador County, he signed a five-year contract with tenants agreeing to either raise the rent by the cost-of-living each year or by 3 or 4 percent of the total rent over five years. Beldt said it would make more sense for tenants to reach their own agreements with landlords if they are worried about rising rents.

With an ordinance, Beldt said it could decrease the property's value. If he was going to sell, Beldt said he would consider long-term leases beforehand if his tenant wanted them to preserve low rents.

"If you have had a park for a long time, you are not going to do anything to hurt your residents," he said.

Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

2centsworth wrote on Oct 18, 2009 11:09 AM:

" So you're saying "IT'S O.K." for park owners to mandate prices and shove it down the residents throats? Seems like they're not policing themselves very well if long standing residents are being priced out of house and home. "

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CaptainGort wrote on Oct 18, 2009 8:04 AM:

" Veritas-
Not sure I follow you. But the point I'm making is that Yacht Harbors, most of which are privately owned(the government has no influence other than enforcing pollution of the water, etc) set their slip rental schedules, just like a "mobile" home park does. If a slip tenant doesn't like them, just cast off the lines and leave
-Now, THATs "free market" at work. KOA Kampgrounds are identical....and the renters are indeed "mobile"...and they have choices. But these (im)mobile space renters are in a different situation entirely. They can't move. They essentally now have the equivelent of site-built homes...but on rented lots. That's a tricky situation. BUT: let's not forget the advantage they've had: FAR less cost per square foot than a traditional home...even when the space rent is added in. But that comes at a price- being beholden to a landlord for the very earth you live upon. "

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veritas wrote on Oct 17, 2009 7:56 PM:

" Attention Captain: Unlike your comment "This is just like a yacht harbor".

However, A marina is on a public waterway, the mobile park owner is by definition "THE OWNER" just like you own your house, car, appliances and appurtanences in your possession.

Do you want the city/county/state to regulate the amount you can buy and sell these things for???? "

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Robb wrote on Oct 17, 2009 6:43 PM:

" Yea, so the guy that owns the place is the only one against rent control??

Yea.... sounds fishy.. "

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CaptainGort wrote on Oct 17, 2009 8:16 AM:

" " Well- a mobile home park is- by definition- a private enterprise. Somebody has a big piece of property, installs utilities and infrastructure on it, then rents "spaces" where people can place their mobile homes. This is just like a yacht harbor. If ya don't like the place- leave for another. BUT: Most "mobile homes" today are anything but mobile- they are VERY costly and difficult to relocate. So the "move if ya don't like it" option kinda fades away and the park owner has you by the short ones....much like the houseboat harbors in sausalito! Once the "mobile" aspect is gone, the tenant is beholden to the whims of the park owner. "

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