2007

Approximately 600 homeowners travel to the state capitol on April 19^th

• Media Headlines: Communities in Wilmington and Elmhurst Close and Runaway Rent Increases
• County Taxing bodies again introduced legislation to increase the County Taxes in our housing market, and are once again stopped keeping homeowner’s money in their pockets.

• Meetings continued with the Landlord representatives regarding homeowner issues brought forth from 2006.

• SB 688 is signed into law on August 23rd. This is a lengthy bill that addresses many issues and needed changes in The Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Changes include:

1. The Illinois Department of Public Health shall deposit all funds received under this Act into a Facility Licensing Fund to aid with enforcement, (money was going into a general fund) .

1. Legal and violation costs, or fines imposed on the Landlord cannot be passed on in rent increases.

1. Duration of the lease. The term of a lease shall not be less than 24 months, unless the homeowner waives the right and the parties agree to different terms.

1. A temporary tenant may live in the home if the homeowner suffers from an illness or disability that requires the homeowner to temporarily leave the home.

1. If the landlord elects to cease the operation of either all or a portion of the manufactured home community, the homeowner is entitled no less than 12 months notice or the length of the lease, whichever is the longer? Rent must remain the same as in the expiring lease rate and may not be increased.

A written 3 year rent increase projection. The increase may be a fixed amount or not to exceed amount.

7. A rent increase notice requirement was changed from 60 days to 90 days.

If there is no change in the lease at the time of a rent increase, the Landlord must provide the homeowner a letter stating there will be no change. The Landlord must offer to provide the homeowner a copy of the lease without a charge upon request.

9. Rent Deferral Program. A homeowner may defer, for up to one year, payment of the amount by which rent has most recently been increased if the homeowner provides proof of inability to pay the increased rent amount by meeting certain requirements within 30 days of the increase.

• The proposed new rent amount will exceed 45% of income and the homeowner diligently lists their home.
• The homeowner must remain current on rent payments at the current rent amount.
• The homeowner shall be required to pay, upon sale of the home the deferred rent portion without any additional interest or penalty charges,

10. In the event of the sale of abandoned or repossessed property, the landlord shall after payment of outstanding rent, and expenses to the community, pay any remaining balance to the title holder of the abandoned or repossessed property within 90 days.

• MHOAI held their first and well attended fundraiser allowing us to reach our $10,000 goal.