It has been an uneasy several months for residents of one Woodland manufactured home community, as a change in ownership and subsequent rental increases highlight what some find as problematic issues in Washington state affordable housing law.
The residents of Woodland East Manufactured Community have voiced concerns both among themselves and publicly regarding an increase in their rates.
Previously, rental rates in the 55-and-older community were from about $450 to $500 per month based on the lot size, including utilities. Now, each lot is subject to a rental increase of $600 plus utilities, an increase far above the previous rental increase of $19 per month for the lease year beginning March 2017.
A public records request by The Reflector showed several complaints filed since new ownership took over in June through the Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program, a service of the state Attorney General’s office. Through the complaint process, it was revealed that the new owners had pushed for a rental increase before legally allowable by state law.
In a June 30 letter from the community’s recent buyers, a rental increase due October 2017 was announced. Complaints regarding the timeframe for announcing the increase followed suit, where it was discovered that such an increase could not have happened until leases had expired.
Through the dispute resolution it was revealed that such an increase would be in violation of previous leases that were in effect until March 1. Shortly after this was discovered, the owners had announced the change would occur then.
Although the rental increase was postponed, complaints regarding the amount of the increase did not have a legal basis, as such an increase was allowable March 1. Many of the complaints fell into this category, which further frustrated tenants who had complained about a lack of communication on the new owners’ part. The Reflector’s own request for comment did not get a response, and through the research process several tenants requested anonymity given the strained status of communication.
Though the tenants’ fight against a rent hike might have exhausted the mediation process, there are still some statewide developments that could offer a possible reprieve for manufactured home communities.
House Bill 1798 would allow for “eligible organizations” such as non-profit organizations, community land trusts, and housing authorities to purchase a manufactured home community that would exempt real estate excise tax on the sale, incentivizing that sale to put the community in the control of the tenants.
As of press time, that bill was sitting in the House Finance committee following executive action in the House committee on judiciary.
Another bill, House Bill 2583, would repeal the statewide prohibition on rent control that has been in effect for more than 30 years. Following a Jan. 23 hearing, that bill has not made it out of committee.
