Consumer Protection Advances for Mobile Home Communities

In a move aimed at enhancing the rights and transparency for mobile home residents, Connecticut lawmakers passed House Bill 5428 late Tuesday, providing several key protections—though notably without rent control or fee cap provisions that were part of the original version. The measure, which saw bipartisan backing after amendments were made, passed the House of Representatives by a 132-16 vote.

Original Bill Faced Opposition Over Rent Cap Provisions

The bill initially included limits on annual rent increases, a feature strongly supported by housing advocates and many Democrats. However, after a heated debate last week, Republican opposition halted progress. Opponents were particularly critical of the proposed rent caps and fee limitations, arguing such restrictions could negatively impact park owners and stifle investment in manufactured home communities.

Faced with the risk of the bill not passing at all, Democratic legislators opted to remove the contentious rent control language to ensure other vital consumer protections could be enacted.

Representative Martinez: “A Victory for Vulnerable Residents”

State Representative Rebecca Martinez (D-Plainville), who sponsored the bill, defended the amended version, saying it still includes several significant protections for one of Connecticut’s most underserved populations.

“This bill will still deliver critical consumer protections to some of our most vulnerable residents in Connecticut, so I urge my colleagues to support this bill and stand up for Connecticut’s manufactured home communities,” she stated during the debate.

Martinez emphasized that while the rent control portion was a meaningful loss, the broader bill is still a net positive for thousands of residents who rely on affordable mobile home living.

Key Provisions of the Bill

Though stripped of rent control measures, HB 5428 still mandates several important safeguards aimed at improving transparency and financial protection for mobile home park residents:

• Disclosure of Ancillary Fees: Park owners will now be required to provide full disclosure of any extra charges, such as fees for owning a pet, using in-unit appliances like washers and dryers, or other non-standard costs.

• Increased Relocation Compensation: If a park owner sells the property with the intention of repurposing it (for example, converting it into commercial property), the new law increases mandatory relocation compensation for displaced residents from $10,000 to $20,000.

• Advance Notice Requirements: The bill also strengthens rules requiring park owners to notify residents well in advance of any ownership changes or significant development plans.

Advocates Praise Protections, Lament Loss of Rent Limits

Several housing advocacy groups have applauded the bill’s passage, even while expressing disappointment that rent cap provisions were removed. Many mobile home residents are elderly or low-income, and advocates argue that annual rent hikes are becoming unsustainable in some parts of Connecticut.

“These protections are a good first step,” said one advocate from a local housing justice group, “but rent control is essential to truly address the affordability crisis facing mobile home park residents. Without it, families remain at risk of being priced out.”

Republican Concerns About Market Disruption

On the other side, Republican lawmakers maintained that rent caps would interfere with market forces and potentially discourage investment in manufactured housing parks. They warned that too much government control could lead to deterioration in quality or reduced incentives for owners to maintain and improve properties.

One Republican legislator stated, “We support fairness for residents, but rent control is not the answer. We need solutions that respect both residents and property owners.”

Compromise Enables Bipartisan Passage

The removal of rent control language ultimately helped the bill pass with broad support across party lines. Lawmakers from both sides hailed the final version as a reasonable compromise, acknowledging the importance of transparency and fair treatment while avoiding divisive regulation on rent.

Speaker of the House Matt Ritter praised the bipartisan spirit behind the bill’s final form. “This is how governing should work,” he said. “We had hard discussions, made adjustments, and came away with legislation that will improve people’s lives.”

Future Outlook: Rent Control Debate Likely to Continue

Despite this legislative success, the issue of rent stabilization in mobile home parks is far from settled in Connecticut. Many Democrats and housing advocates plan to revisit the topic in future sessions, pushing for stronger tenant protections in the face of rising housing costs statewide.

In the meantime, mobile home residents will benefit from the newly passed provisions, including clearer fee structures and more generous compensation if they are forced to move due to park sales.

Conclusion: A Partial Victory for Mobile Home Residents

House Bill 5428 marks a meaningful—if incomplete—victory for mobile home residents in Connecticut. By securing greater transparency and increasing relocation payments, lawmakers have taken a step toward improving the quality and security of mobile home living.

While the absence of rent caps remains a contentious issue, the bill’s passage shows that pragmatic compromise can lead to tangible progress, even in a politically divided landscape. The debate over rent control will likely resurface, but for now, thousands of Connecticut residents living in mobile home parks can feel more secure in their rights and future.