Iowa manufactured home residents will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Iowa State Capitol to address concerns about treatment from out-of-state park owners.
“Residents’ Day at the Capitol” will call on legislators to enact newly filed legislation that includes pillars of the Iowa Manufactured Home Residents’ Bill of Rights: rent protection, fair fees, just cause eviction standards, fair legal leases, and required notice allowing residents first right of purchase when a park property is up for sale.
Iowa manufactured home residents are also calling on lawmakers to oppose SF 412, proposed legislation that amends property law covering rental agreements, notice requirements, eviction procedures and court record sealing, saying that it would “further weaken legal rights and protections for residents,” according to a release from Iowa Manufactured Home Residents Network.
Residents say recent acquisitions of manufactured home parks by out-of-state private equity firms and large corporations have resulted in significant lot rent increases and fees, as well as neglect of maintenance and the elimination of park services.
“Iowa Code Chapter 562B covering manufactured homes has over decades become severely imbalanced in favor of park owners over residents. It’s long past time to protect Iowans and affordable housing,” said Candi Evans, who owns a home located in North Liberty’s Golfview park.
“We need real protections for Iowa homeowners and renters,” said Matt Chapman, a resident of Waukee’s Midwest Country Estates manufactured home park.
The Iowa Manufactured Home Residents Network says in recent years, legislation incorporating recommendations from the Residents’ Bill of Rights has moved through legislative committees and in some cases cleared one side of the legislature, but have yet to pass both houses. Speakers at the press conference will include manufactured homeowners from Dubuque, Iowa City, North Liberty and Waukee.
