Mobile home residents report rising rents and maintenance issues after corporate purchases
NBC News interviewed 20 residents across four states who described higher rents, reduced maintenance, and strained relations with new corporate owners of mobile home parks. About 22 million people live in such communities nationwide.
Nbc NewsResidents of mobile home parks in Florida, Illinois, Mississippi and New Hampshire described higher rents, increased fees, and declining maintenance after investment firms and large corporations acquired the properties, NBC News reported. Aliea Brown rented a unit at Buck Island Manufactured Home Community in Robinsonville, Mississippi, in 2023.
She said the front door was installed upside down, black mold spread, windows leaked, and a sewer pipe burst in February, leaving wastewater under the unit. Brown, 41, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pays $675 a month. She and her partner, Mason Obradovich, 39, requested repairs but received a February letter stating repair costs exceeded the unit’s value.
Corporate ownership changes Buck Island is one of 170 communities in 22 states owned by Homes of America, an affiliate of Alden Global Capital. The park manager told Brown the community was shifting from rentals to resident-owned units and offered to sell the damaged home for $1,000.
After the couple declined, they were told to leave by April 30. Brown said the company knew of her disability and limited credit options. John Calabrese, president of the Florida Federation of Manufactured Home Owners, said some new owners treat residents fairly while others focus only on revenue.
Lawsuit and state responses A March lawsuit filed by former regional manager Elvin Zapata alleged Homes of America concealed mold, skipped remediation, and used an “Abandoned Trailer” practice of selling dilapidated units for $1,000. The company has until mid-June to respond.
Maine passed four laws giving residents first refusal rights on park sales. Michigan’s Senate passed a bill increasing park regulation; the measure awaits House action. President Donald Trump’s January call for limits on institutional purchases of single-family homes did not address mobile home communities, and pending federal legislation contains no such restrictions.
