Mobilehome Magazine Vol 1 Issue 1

Published by the Coalition of Mobilehome Owners of California (COMO-CAL)
Exclusively for Owners of Mobile/Manufactured Homes in California

We Advocate to protect your rights, your lifestyle and your investment
WWW.MOBILEHOMEMAGAZINE.ORG
WWW.COMOCAL.ORG
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Sept./Oct. 2011
VoI. 1 Issue 1
In this issue:
Rent Control Under Siege
People Power
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 1 9/8/11 10:27 AM
September-October, 2011 Vol. 1 Issue 1
Page 2 Mobilehome Magazine
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What is COMO-CAL & Why a Magazine? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Mobilehomes in Rental Parks - A Brief History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Your Community - The San Fernando Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Local News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Tips & Suggestions - L.A. R.S.O.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Around California: Rent Control Under Siege . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Legal Corner - Nothing To Fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Advertising in Mobilehome Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
You Can Help Us Get Advertising for MHMag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
People Power: September Meetings in SFV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
FAQ Handbook - You Must Have a Copy! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Getting Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Fund Raiser - Entertainment Book 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
COMO-CAL - Services/ How to Join . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 2 9/8/11 10:27 AM
Mobilehome Magazine Page 3
Welcome to
N00ll000M0 N88Il0
W
elcome to Mobilehome Magazine (MHMag). This issue is the rst
of its kind published in California. In fact we know of no other
magazine published for owners of mobilehomes anywhere in the
entire country. We hope you enjoy and learn from it. We publish it for YOU!
MHMag is a product of many hours of brainstorming and about nine months
of hard work. It is published by COMO-CAL (the Coalition of Mobilehome Owners
- California), a state wide non-prot advocate for owners of mobile/manufactured
homes. MHMag is supported by local merchants and service professionals who
advertise. Please support them! We hope you will keep the magazine for reference and use it often.
The goal of MHMag is to provide important informtion
to owners of mobile/manufactured homes in California who
reside in rental parks, i.e. you own your home and rent the
space from a park owner. COMO-CALs logo is COMMU-
NICATION, EDUCATION, UNITY. Our moto is: Strength in
Numbers & Power in Knowledge.
This rst issue provides a History of Living in Rental
Parks and why information is so important to protecting your
way of life and the investment in your home. We will also
explain about COMO-CAL, what we do, and where we are
going.
The department theme will continue in future editions:
Local News / Community, Around California, Legal Corner,
Tips and Suggestions, Schedule of Events and more.
Our efforts are not limited to just mailing MHMag to you,
we will also meet every other month. We invite everyone who
wants to make a difference to attend our rst San Fernando
Valley meeting at the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce at
the Chatsworth Metro Link Train Station. See page for infor-
mation. Our goal is to form a COMO-SFV lead you those of
you who want to help and protect their friends and neighbors.
Please RSVP to Frank at 818-886-66479.
Thank you for reading and supporting MHMag.
)UDQN$:RGOH\,
Editor
FROM THE EDITOR
N00ll000M0 N88Il0
Serving the Mobile/Manufactured Home
Community in California
P.O. BOX 4821
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA 91313
800-929-6061 / 818-886-6479
advertising@mobilehomemagazine.org
http://www.mobilehomemagazine.org/
Mobilehome Magazine is published every other month
by COMO-CAL (The Coalition of Mobilehome
Owners - California) exclusively for owners of
mobile/manufactured homes in California.

MHMag is not responsible for
content contained in advertising
PUBLISHER AND EDITOR
Frank A. Wodley
ADVERTISING SALES
Rose Rosales
Frank Wodley
RESEARCHER
Cathy Alvarez
DESIGN
Greg Frazier
CONTRIBUTORS
Sally Studer
Chandra Spencer
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 3 9/8/11 10:27 AM
COMO-CAL is a trusted and
respected group of mobilehome
owners who advocate for all
owners of mobile/manufactured
homes in California. Our goal
is Communication, Unity and
Education.
Established in November
2004 as a non-prot, 501(c)3
Public Benet Corporation, we are
all volunteers. We do not receive
grants, but rely on membership
dues and tax deductible donations
to continue our mission.
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Our newsletter, THE VOICE,
has been published for seven
years (over 60 issues and 1000
total pages) and is endorsed by
many around the state as the most
informative newsletter in Califor-
nia (we say the whole country).
We think outside the box and have
provided information no other
organization has. Two examples
are Donald Devores articles about
the foundation of our laws and
Gary Solomons HOA Syndrome.
We, along with many other
organizations, were successful
in defeating Proposition 90 and
What is COMO-CAL & Why a Magazine?
(Coalition of Mobilehome Owners- California)
98. Because each would have
eliminated rent control across
California, they potentially would
have cost mobilehome owners
hundreds of millions dollars in
higher rents and lost equity.
We have identied and
stopped illegal rent increases. For
example in Los Angeles we saved
residents in seven rent controlled
parks about $70,000 per year,
for 2008 and future years, now
roughly $300,000.
We have been a steadfast
advocate for seven years. We
answer our phones and provide
advice and direction when possible.
We sponsored two brain-
storm days (Carpenteria & San
Rafael), providing a forum to
formulate solutions to issues we
commonly fact in rental parks.
OUR LATEST PROJECT
Our latest project, the
Mobilehome Magazine(MHMag),
is being launched into over 25
mobilehome parks in the San
Fernando Valley and neighboring
communities. We believe it will
revolutionize our advocacy in
California.
WHATS SO TERRIFIC?
To say we are excited about
the Magazine would be an
understatement. Why? Because
now COMO-CAL can reach not
only our members, but potentially
all mobile/manufactured home
owners. Thats huge!
UP HILL BATTLE
Mobilehome Magazine has
taken a huge effort to get off the
ground. The launch has been
delayed more than four months and
we are not out of the woods yet.
And it costs us nothing! It
is free to all who receive it, and
it costs COMO-CAL members
nothing. It is totally supported by
advertising.
WHO DO WE REACH?
Today, COMO-CAL has
members in over 600 parks
across California, unfortunate-
ly only about 10% of all parks.
However potentially we can
reach thousands more with this
new project.
THE PARK MAGAZINE
The idea of a magazine
for mobilehome residents is
not new. In fact, a company in
Mountain View (Mobile Home
Park Magazine) has been publish-
ing their park magazine now
for over 35 years. They distribute
100,000 magazines per month
to about 650 parks. Thats a lot!
However, the park magazine has
little useful information. It is more
about entertainment with content
including crossword puzzles,
poems, recipes, and other just for
fun information. Occassionally
content is supplied by an HOA COMO-CAL Board 2005 (Frank Wodley, Kathy Mattes, Ray Chavira, Jim Rowe)
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 4 9/8/11 10:28 AM
(818)885-11065p.m.-8:30p.m.
FREEDELlVERY
10116MasonAve. CornerofMasonAvenue
Chatsworth,CA91311 &DevonshireStreet
www.wordpressworkshop.biz
pctechsonline@gmail.com
which does give residents useful
information. And they will not
take advertising from COMO-CAL
or other advocates because they
do not want management to get
upset, and not allow delivery of
the magazine into their park. By
the way, they do not deliver today
into the West San Fernando Valley.
MOBILEHOME MAGAZINE
So you might ask, why
is COMO-CALs MHMag so
inovative? It is all about content.
COMO-CALs Magazine will have
three basic sections: a) Informa-
tion from COMO-CAL similar
to what we now publish in THE
VOICE. b) Information from parks
in the community - anything
that is happening, i.e. meetings,
notices, issues, etc. and c) Adver-
tising from local service profes-
sionals.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF
MOBILEHOME MAGAZINE?
Number one, we will reach
every mobilehome in an area. No
longer will be preaching only to
the choir., i.e. our membership.
We will be providing important
information to all home owners!
Thats huge. No longer do we
have to do yers alerting folks
about meetings, we can commu-
nicate through the Magazine.
Secondly, the Magazine
will network parks in an area.
Remember, the saying Strength in
Numbers? You will know what
your neighbors are doing, and
what they are concerned about.
Information that will enable folks
to UNITE!
Third, residents can use the
magazine themselves. Lets say
you have your home for sale, send
us a small ad - we will publish it
for a small fee. Of couse space
will be limited
Finally, remember MHMag is
free, but we would appreciate a
donation to keep it going in your
area. It is mailed, direct to your
home. We hope this is your rst
issue of many!
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 5 9/8/11 10:28 AM
HISTORY
Most mobilehome parks
were developed in the 1960s and
1970s. Today there are approxi-
mately 10 million Americans
living in mobile / manufactured
homes across the United States.
In California alone there are
approximately 1,00,000 residents
living on 365,000 spaces in 5,300
parks. We represent about 3% of
Californias population.
Residents of mobilehome
parks come from all walks of life,
including many veterans who
fought for this country. We are
grandparents, single parents and
families: we are white, black,
brown. We are Americans, and
proud to be. We deserve to live
in well maintained communities,
to be treated with dignity and
respect.
Most of us live in rental
parks, i.e. we own our homes but
rent the ground from our landlord.
In other words we live on someone
Mobilehomes in Rental Parks
Brief History & Resident Issues
elses property. We are the only
dual property owners not covered
by land-lease laws. Although our
investment often exceeds that of
the park owner, we are subservi-
ent to the owners wishes.
Many parks were originally
developed and operated by mom
and pop landlords. They provided
affordable housing and a sense of
community. They were nice places
to live and to all and residents
were happy. Owners, managers,
and residents had common goals
and abuses were rare.
Eventually large investors
realized mobilehome parks were
lucrative investments (cash cows)
and as the original park owners
retired, they (large corporations)
moved in and the complexion of
parks changed. Although parks are
designated for low and moderate
income housing, the priority of
many of these corporate owners is
more about their bottom line and
less about residents.
Some park owners want as
much control over residents as
possible. To achieve this goal,
they work to keep residents
from organizing or educating
themselves about their rights,
often park management is unpro-
fessional, rude, abusive and
unyielding.
As abuses became more
common place, more laws were
written to try to protect residents.
YOU ARE VULNERABLE
A. If you own your mobile/
manufactured home and RENT
the dirt under it (about 90% of
residents), you are VULNERA-
BLE. You must live by the Rules
and Regulations of your park,
whether they are fair or not. And
your manager is the enforcer.
Sometimes managers do not
enforce the R&R leading to parks
that are unkept, and unsafe. Or
they might rule with an iron st
leading to senior abuse, violations
of residents rights, etc. Unequal
enforcement is another issue.
B. Many park residents
are seniors, many live on xed
incomes, or many are low income.
Most have little or no knowledge
of their rights or the laws that
protect them. And most do not
know that there is help!
C. Now that the Mobile-
home Residency Law (MRL) is
no longer automatically distrib-
uted to residents (as of 1/1/2011),
residents are even less informed of
their rights.
YOU NEED INFORMATION
Why is information important
to you? Because KNOWLEDGE IS
POWER! Knowledge enables you
make informed (better) decisions,
resulting in more control over your
life. Without information, you are
unprepared to protect your rights
and your equity.
In reality, residents often
hide in their homes. Why? To
stay off the managers radar. They
have no one to turn to, either
for information, or for guidance.
They may feel alone and isolated
hopeless, anxious, and paranoid.
And rightly so. This is just what
the park owner wants, i.e. no one
to challenge his authority.
MHMag is a way for you to
feel connected, not only to your
friends and neighbors where you
live, but connected to other parks
in your area.
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 6 9/8/11 10:28 AM
This issue of MHMag is being distributed to over 24 parks in the San Fernando Valley (see table below), with
a total distribution of 6,000 homes. Using a gure of 2.8 occupants per home, we gure a readership of about
17,000. In addition the magazine will be posted on our website: www.mobilehomemagazine.org
Your Community - The San Fernando Valley
Park Name # Spaces Address City
1 Mountain View Mobile Estates 156 24303 Woolsey Canyon Canoga Park
2 Canoga Mobile Estates 198 8811 Canoga Ave. Canoga Park
3 Eton MHP 111 8901 Eton Ave Canoga Park
4 Kona Kai 116 8800 Eton Ave Canoga Park
5 Riveria 151 8801 Eton Ave Canoga Park
6 Summit MHP 203 24425 Woolsey Canyon Rd. Canoga Park
7 Chatsworth MHP 198 21500 Lassen Street Chatsworth
8 Indian Hills 138 11401 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. Chatsworth
9 Sunburst 118 21001 Plumber Street Chatsworth
10 Valle Verde Mobile Home Park 184 20652 Lassen Street Chatsworth
11 Foothill Palms MHP 94 12001 Foothill Blvd Lake View Terrace
12 Bermuda MHCommunity 194 15445 Bermuda Street Mission Hills
13 Golden Triangle 29 10811 Columbus Mission Hills
14 Mission Mobile Manor 71 15300 Brand Ave Mission Hills
15 Northridge MHP 168 19120 Nordoff Street Northridge
16 Shelter Isle 260 10965 Glenoaks Blvd Pacoima
17 Reseda MHP 108 6545 Wilbur Ave Reseda
18 Blue Star MHP 186 12401 Filmore Street Sylmar
19 Lumark TP 92 12301 San Fernando Road Sylmar
20 Oakridge MHP 300 15455 Glenoaks Blvd Sylmar
21 Rancho Hermoso MHP 93 16079 Yarnell St Sylmar
22 Sylmar Manor 66 13120 Bradley Ave Sylmar
23 Tahitian MHP 236 15445 Colbalt Ave Sylmar
24 Woodland Park Mobile Estates 199 4201 Topanga Canyon Blvd Woodland Hills
25 Other Parks & COMO-CAL members 2,300 San Fernando Valley
TOTAL SPACES & COMO-CAL 6,000
COMO-CALS First Meeting - Sylmar Mobile Manor - 2005
The photo at the left is the
first meeting of many we had in
the San Fernando Valley. Among
the participants were Marajorie
Felstad, Cliff Jim Rowe, Dwight
Blackwell, Jr., and others.
We sincerely hope YOU
will become active! RSVP
Frank at 818-886-6479 to let
him know you will be attending:
Saturday September 24th,
Sunday October 2nd or Tuesday
October 11th. See page 17 for
details.
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 7 9/8/11 10:28 AM
Local News
INDIAN HILLS
For years Indian Hills was not
part of the City of Los Angeles;
therefore they were not under
city-wide rent control.
Today Indian Hills residents
face a very large pass-through
of approximately $3 million for
expenses related to the replace-
ment of utility lines in the park.
SUMMIT & MOUNTAIN VIEW
Neither park is under the L.A.
Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
As a consequence their rents are
considerably higher than their
neighbors. In fact rents average
close to $1400/month. Many
residents have simply walked away
from their homes. Gary Gibson
has led a legal battle against the
owners of Mountain View and has
prevailed.
ETON MOBILE ESTATES
Eton is owned by the same
owner as Chatsworth MHP and
Bermuda (Mission Hills). It is a
well kept, senior park.
SYMLAR MOBILE MANOR
COMO-CAL held one of its
rst meetings in Sylmar Mobile
Manor. See photo on page 7.
BERMUDA MH COMMUNITY
Bermuda is a senior park
operated by John Nowell. It was
This section will be an ongoing
department in MHMag. We invite
you to write about happenings in
your park and submit it for publi-
cation in MHMag.
CHATSWORTH MHP
Chatsworth MHP is a well
kept, all age park. Melody Lee,
the new park manager, has been
doing a terric job. She is helping
make residents feel it is their park
and the years of tension are past.
Weve even seen notices praising
residents who keep their yards
beautiful. There have been many
issues over the years, including
a clubhouse which, alhough
available, has been off-limits to
residents for every-day use. For
many years, the distribution of
literature by advocates was prohib-
ited, although the MRL guaran-
tees such rights. That practice is
changing under the new manager.
Keep up the good work Melody.
CANOGA MOBILE ESTATES
Canoga Mobile Estates is a
senior park located on Canoga
Ave. It is well maintained. About
3 years ago the park sold. Recently
DWP replaced electric lines in the
street.. Canoga Mobile Estates has
an active recreational committee
headed by Linda Cole. Tony
Sansone has been our contact
there for many years - Tony also
serves on the MHTaskforce.
developed after many parks in the
SFV and has a new manager, Jan
McLoed. Residents have a recre-
ational group and ongoing events
are planned.
OAKRIDGE MHP
Oakridge is a senior park
located in Sylmar. A devistating
re all but wiped the park off the
map. Today only half the spaces
are occupied.
VALLE VERDE COURTYARD
An all age park, Valle
Verde continues to have issues
with on-the-street parking and
speeding. Recently red re
lane strips were added along all
streets to stop the illegal parking.
Speeding continues as a major
problem. It is our opinion that
management is responsible to get
this under control.
SUNBURST MHP
Located on Plummer near
deSoto, the park has had a history
of issues, including drugs. Now,
with the help of Gary Ashe and
Golden State Mobilehomes, the
homes are better kept and the
park is more attractive.
YOUR PARK
Tell us about your park and
we will publish it here next time.
Just contact Frank (818-886-6479).
Your Business Card Here
Only $80 per issue
thats 1.6 cents/magazine
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 8 9/8/11 10:28 AM
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Tips & Suggestions: Rent Stabilization in Los Angeles
Did you know there are about 5,300 mobile/
manufactured home parks in California, with about
365,000 total spaces? At 2.8 residents per space on
average, that amounts to 1,022,000 residents. Thats
about 3% of the total population in California.
About 165,000 spaces have some sort of rent
stabilization (we often improperly call it rent control).
(That means about 200,000 dont.)
Rent Stabilization is local, i.e. a about 110 cities
and counties have enacted it. Here in Los Angeles,
our RSO (Rent Stabilization Ordinance) covers 60
mobilehome parks. Most of you reading this are
covered; however parks like Summit and Mountain
View that are not in the city are not covered. and as a
consequence, their rents are much higher - upwards
of $1500/month.
Every June 1st each homeowner pays an
additional fee to their landlord to offset the Rent
Regulation Fee paid the City of Los Angeles Housing
Department to oversee the L.A. RSO. In 2011 that
fee was $18.71, residents paying $9.35.
The LAHD (Los Angeles Housing Department)
administers the L.A. RSO, which states that rents
are dependent on the CPI (Consumer Price Index),
with a minimum increase of 3% and a maximum
of 8%. Since the CPI has been 3% or lower most
YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC ANNUAL
2000 2.2 2.7 3.5 2.4 2.9 3.4 3.6 3.4 3.5 3.9 3.7 3.6 3.3
2001 3.7 3.6 3.2 3.4 3.7 4.6 3.8 3.5 3.1 2.5 2.5 1.8 3.3
2002 2.5 2.7 2.8 3.1 2.9 1.6 2.2 2.6 2.8 3.2 3.7 4.1 2.8
2003 3.7 3.9 4.5 3.5 2.6 2.8 2.6 2.8 3.2 2.7 2.0 2.0 3.0
2004 2.2 2.1 1.8 2.4 3.8 4.3 4.0 3.3 3.2 4.7 5.4 4.6 3.5
2005 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.9 4.2 3.4 4.2 5.3 6.0 5.4 4.3 4.2 4.4
2006 5.2 5 4.5 4.5 5.3 5.4 5.1 4.4 3.2 1.8 2.5 3.3 4.2
2007 3.1 3.4 4.0 3.6 3.0 2.7 2.4 2.1 2.2 3.8 4.7 4.6 3.3
2008 4.6 3.7 3.6 3.7 4.1 6.1 6.6 5.7 5.0 3.5 0.6 -0.6 3.9
2009 -0.6 -0.5 -1.6 -2.1 -2.4 -2.8 -3.2 -2.1 -1.4 -0.6 1.2 2.5 -1.2
2010 2.3 1.8 2.4 2.4 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.9 1.0 1.6 1.5
2011 2.0 2.6 3.5 3.9 3.7 3.3
of the last 25 years, our increases have been 3%.
The table below shows the Consumer Price Index
(CPI) used for the Los Angeles area.
Note for 2010 the CPI is 1.5%. However, under
the L.A. Ordinance, the minimum rent increase is
3%; therefore residents in the 62 mobilehome parks
covered by the L.A RSO will be 3% for the period
July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 (unless the L.A.
rent freeze goes into effect). Often park owners
complain rents under RSO do not keep up with
ination; however the table shows that 9 out of 18
years the park owners were allowed to raise rents
HIGHER than the CPI, often 2-3 times more!
CPI tables for this area may be found at the
following URL: http://www.bls.gov/ro9/9230.pdf
VACANCY CONTROL
What about vacancy control? L.A. has vacancy
control, which means when you sell your home the
buyers rent increase is capped at 10% higher than
your rent. This helps save your equity. The rule of
thumb: for every $10 your rent increases per month,
your homes value decreases $1000. We have
written many times that without vacancy control,
the value our homes here in L.A. could decrease
$50,000 or more! We must always be watching!
Consumer Price Index Percentages (CPI)*
Annual Percentage adjusted up or down to the closest one percent = % rent increase
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 11 9/8/11 10:28 AM
Around California: Rent Control Under Siege
CALIMESA / NO ONE
SHOWED
On June 30 a study session
was held to find options to the
Cities lack of funds to adminis-
ter rent control. This resulted
in the suggestion of a sunset
clause to end rent control in
Calim esa,
One Councilman said: I
am very im pressed with staffs
research into this issue. I would
like to see, within a period of
one year, to close it down with
a sunset cause.
Another Councilman
stated. Weve gone more than
20 years with this. I think we
ought to sunset it. We are
running out of funds to support
the ordinance. Maybe
residents dont have any real
concerns one way or another,
but nobodys been out here to
talk about it.
The only individuals to
speak on the issue during
public comment were repre-
sentatives from large corpora-
tions who support the mobile
home park owners, i.e. no
MHOwners showed up.
One park representative
said, I fully support a Sunset
Clause. Rent control is a
minority situation. A second
said, Rent control policy is
unfair and the ordinance has
outlived its usefulness.
The Calimesa City Council
decided to hold a public
hearing on Aug. 15
CALIMESA / PEOPLE POWER
At least 400 residents
turned out on August 15th
to participate in the public
hearing regarding Calimesas
rent control ordinance.
Possible amendments
included imposing an annual
registration fee of $3.59.
One Councilman cited the
citys financial constraints as a
reason to end the ordinance.
Weve had a tough time
making this kind of (financial)
commitment. If this city goes
under, you really wont have
rent control.
He also said the city
proposed the sunset clause in
part to get people to show up
and discuss the issue. I think
weve proven that worked.
One continued, When
I came in to the council in
January, I heard from one side
of on this issue. I saw Calimesa
as a place that didnt need so
many rules.I wish everyone
in here would quit attacking
my fellow council members.
I am totally against the sunset
clause, but couldnt come up
with anything to replace it.
In a unanimous vote, the
amendment to impose a $3.59
registration fee was passed and
the crowd cheered.
EDITORS NOTE
What you dont know can
indeed hurt you! The study
session was held without
notice to MHOwners. Of
course if one follows the City
Council proceedings closely,
he would probably have known
the study was taking place,
The real issue here was
simple: paying for the adminis-
tration of rent control; however
it gave those Council members
who favored park owners to
stand up and say Get rid of
rent control. In fact other
cities have billed park owners
and residents an administra-
tive fee.
Just think if residents
didnt come on August 15th!
The results could have been
catastrophic - the loss of rent
control in Calimesa!
CHULA VISTA
Unfortunately the
MHOwners in Chula Vista
were not as fortunate as those
in Calimesa. On July 12,
2011 the Chula Vista City
Council passed a measure to
decontrol vacancies, i.e. the
3,500 MHOwners lost vacancy
control.
Based on a loss of $1,000
equity for every $10/month rent
increase, the consequences are
tragic! Parks can easily raise
rents to buyers by $50-$300/
month. What would this mean
to MHOwners there? Simply
that they have lost between
$5,000 and $30,000 of the
value of their homes. Many
wont be able to sell. Collec-
tively the loss could be as much
as $100 million!
Compare that with
Calimesa. Calimesa residents
retain rent control, at a cost of
$3.59 per year.
Editors Note: COMO-CAL,
not for lack of trying, has about
1% membership in Chula Vista.
Im sure had we had substan-
tially more members, we could
have done something to defend
their rent control.
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 12 9/8/11 10:28 AM
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Make a note on your calendar!
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 13 9/8/11 10:28 AM
Legal Corner: NOTHING TO FEAR by Jon Stanley Heim, Attorney at Law
Most mobilehome residents
lack the legal and nancial
resources of the owners and
management of their mobile-
home parks. Many residents
fear that, as a practical matter,
they cannot effectively challenge
a wrongful act or policy of
ownership or management, or
that if they try they can suffer
retaliation. For better or worse
the Mobilehome Residency Law,
California Civil Code Sections
798 through 799.11 (MRL,
to which all following citations
refer) does give park owners
wide latitude in setting park rules
and regulations.
Nonetheless much of the
MRL is intended to give residents
a voice in park affairs, and to
protect them from ownership
backlash for meeting or discuss-
ing park issues. In Section 798.50
the Legislature declared its intent
to ensure that homeowners and
residents of mobilehome parks
have the right to peaceably
assemble and freely commu-
nicate with one another with
respect to mobilehome living
or for social or educational
purposes. To those ends no park
lease, rule or regulation may
prohibit peaceable assembly at
reasonable hours and in reason-
able manners. (Sec. 798.51,
subd. (a)(1).) [P]ublic ofcials,
candidates for public ofce, or
representatives of mobilehome
owner organizations may be
invited to meet with homeown-
ers and residents and speak
upon matters of public interest,
in accordance with Section
798.50. (Sec. 798.51, subd. (a)
(2).) Homeowners and residents
have the rights to canvass and
petition the park community for
noncommercial purposes related
to mobilehome living or public
elections. (Sec. 798.51, subd. (a)
(3).) Homeowners and residents
may use the parks clubhouses
or recreational halls for these
meetings, without additional
cleaning or insurance charges
if the meetings are hosted by a
homeowner or resident, all are
invited to attend and no alcohol
is served. (Sec. 798.51, subds.
(b), (c).) If any of these rights are
denied or unreasonably impaired
by any rule, regulation, or other
policy of park ownership or
management, any aggrieved
homeowner or resident may sue.
(Sec. 798.52.)
Many homeowners and
residents may be unaware that
they have the right to meet not
only among themselves, but
with park management too
on many signicant subjects,
within thirty days after written
request. The meetings may be
individual or collective. The
subjects include proffered rental
agreements, existing park rules,
standards for maintenance of
physical improvements, and
addition, alteration or deletion
of improvements, services or
equipment. (Sec. 798.53.) The
MRL does not require that park
ownership accompany park
management to such meetings,
but it does mandate that owner-
ships identity and address be
disclosed upon request of a
homeowner or lessee (not any
other park occupants). (Sec.
798.28.)
Moreover whenever
management proposes amend-
ments to park rules and regula-
tions, management must meet
and confer with the homeown-
ers in the park, their represen-
tatives, or both, on at least ten
days notice. (Sec. 798.25, subd.
(a).) In general, however, as long
as management does meet and
confer it need not accept the
views or requests of homeowners.
Rather the noticed amendment
to the parks rules and regulations
may be implemented, as to any
homeowner, with the consent
of the homeowner, or without
the homeowners consent upon
written notice of not less than
six months. (Sec. 798.25, subd.
(b).) Thus if a homeowner does
not accept an amendment, he or
she will be bound by it anyway
after a while. Thats the provision
that gives management such
broad discretion in ultimately
determining the content of rules
and regulations. Homeowners
get only a voice, not a choice.
Any rule or regulation
imposed without following this
meeting and conference process
is void and unenforceable. (Sec.
798.25.5.) So is any rule or
regulation that creates a new
fee payable by the homeowner
and that has not been expressly
agreed upon in a written rental
agreement or lease. (Sec.
798.25, subd. (e).)
As counsel to both park
owners and homeowners, I have
often observed how limitations
on the latters legal or nancial
resources affect the process and
resolution of disputes between
the two. Those limitations are
real and raise fear in homeown-
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 14 9/8/11 10:28 AM
11/01/2011
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Phone. [213 631-8331
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L-mail. cgsOcgslaw.com
ers. The foregoing and other
provisions of the MRL are
intended to bring the balance of
powers a bit more square.
However theyll work only if
homeowners and residents know
and use them. For example, one
homeowner may not be able to
afford substantial legal counsel,
let alone litigation, no matter how
worthy his or her cause may be.
But that same one homeowner
may canvass, petition and meet
with others, and may invite
public ofcials and representa-
tives of COMO-CAL or other
homeowner organizations to
those meetings. There they can
discuss common interests and
issues, and plan lawful, reason-
able courses of action. There too
they can join together in organi-
zations like COMO-CAL, and by
so doing marshal the resources
necessary to pursue their
common rights and important
causes. In this light homeown-
ers have little to fear. But they
have much to do and much to
organize. The rights given to
homeowners under the MRL
will have no effect if they are
not understood and invoked by
those whom they are designed to
protect and serve.
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 15 9/8/11 10:28 AM
Advertising in Mobilehome Magazine
TO ADVERTISERS
Mobilehome Magazine wants to thank all
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TO READERS
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their advertising dollar is working. It can be a
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HELP US HELP YOU
In these challenging economic times, its
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62515_Bklt_r3.indd 16 9/8/11 10:28 AM
People Power: September Meetings in SFV
SFV MEETINGS / WHERE & WHEN
WHERE: Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce meeting
room, 10038 Old Depot Road, Chatsworth. at
the Chatsworth Metro line train station. Between
Lassen and Devonshire, & between Owensmouth
and Canoga Ave. NW corner of the building.
WHEN: Saturday September 24. 3:00pm - 5:00pm
-------------------------------------------------------
WHERE: Chatsworth Mobile Home Park Clubhouse,
21500 Lassen Street (just east of Owensmouth).
The clubhouse is the big building just off Lassen.
WHEN: Sunday October 2nd. 1:00-3:00pm
If you can not make either meeting, a 3rd meeting is
being scheduled at the Chatsworth MHP Clubhouse on
Tuesday night October 11th from 6:30-8:30pm.
___________________________
AGENDA FOR BOTH MEETINGS
Guest Speaker: Chandra Gehri Spencer, Attorney at
Law. Chandra will talk about the Mobilehome
Residency Law, the importance of organization
and the types of issues she handles.
COMO-CAL: COMO-CAL President & MHMag Editor
Frank Wodley will ask for volunteers to help run
COMO-SFV and Mobilehome Magazine(SFV Edition).
If youd like to join, we will help you ll out your
application. FAQ Handbooks will also be available.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Yes you read right, COMO-SFV. So what does
it mean. It means LETS ORGANIZE! What better
way to protect our rights and maintain the equity in
our homes.
Space is limited at both locations, so we would
appreciate it if you would call Frank @ 818-886-6479
to reserve a seat. Please bring a folding chair to the
TRAIN STATION just in case we have so many that
we meet outside. There is plenty of free parking!
Our goal is to get as many of you involved as
possible. Thats the only way we will be successful.
Remember, What you dont know can hurt you!
COMO-CAL is here to lead, but without your support
little can be accomplished.
Remember PEOPLE POWER! Over 400
Calimesa residents turned out for the City Council
meeting when their rent control as at stake. Calimesa
has less than 1,200 spaces! We have over 6,000 here
in Los Angeles. So lets surpass the 400! It can be
done. Dont let the park owners win in Los Angeles.
We need to show them we support our rent control
ordiance and vancy control.
SEE YOU SOON! / REMEMBER RSVP
COMO-CAL MEETING Chatsworth Train Station 2006
Note: All the Literature even then
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 17 9/8/11 10:28 AM
The 36 page Frequently Asked Questions and
Answers HANDBOOK is designed to answer 58 of
the most pressing questions homeowners and park
management have about the Mobilehome Residency
Law (MRL). It was compiled by the Senate Select
Committee on Manufactured Housing. See the back
panel for a table of contents detailing the 58 questions.
FAQ Handbook: A Must Have for all Mobilehome Owners
RENTS, FEES & TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Rent Increases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Pass-Through Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Short Notice of Rent Increase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Back Rent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Club House Deposits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Security Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Deducting Rent - Lack of Park Utilities . . . . . . . . 6
Withholding Rent if Park Loses Permit . . . . . . . . 6
Late Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Mobilehome Property Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Property Taxes Too High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Section 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
UTILITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Park Utility Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Separating Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Park Cable TV Antenna System Fees . . . . . . . . . 8
Water Charges in Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
LEASES & RENTAL AGREEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Long Leases Exempt from Rent Control . . . . . . . 9
Leases in Language Not English . . . . . . . . . . . 10
TERMINATION OF TENANCY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Eviction for Late Payment Of Rent . . . . . . . . . . 10
Eviction for Rule Violations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Termination at End Of Rental Agreement . . . . . 11
Rights in Park-Owned Mobilehomes . . . . . . . . 11
Park Closure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Rules v. The MRL Rule Changes . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Selective Enforce of Park Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Senior Park Changed to All-Age. . . . . . . . . . . 13
All-Age Park Changed Back to a Senior Park . . 14
Occupancy Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Clubhouse Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Parking Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Subleasing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
RVs in Mobilehome Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Caregiver Residency in Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Park Maintenance, Inspections & Services . . . . 16
Failure to Maintain the Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Mobilehome Park Inspection Program. . . . . . . 17
Reduction of Park Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Lot Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Trees and Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Responsible for Pre-Existing Code Violations . . 18
Permit for Remodel. Mobilehome . . . . . . . . . . 18
Home Rehabilitation Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 19
PARK CONVERSION TO RESIDENT OWNERSHIP. 19
Park Condo Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Right of First Refusal to Buy Park. . . . . . . . . . . 19
Laws Appl. to Resident Owned Parks . . . . . . . 20
PARK OWNERS & MANAGERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Park Manager Intimidation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Park Violations of The Mrl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Contacting Park Owner/Operator . . . . . . . . . 21
Management Not Available in Emergencies . . 22
Park Manager Entering Lot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
HOME SALES, RESALES & TRANSFERS . . . . . . . . 22
Selling Home in Place in the Park . . . . . . . . . . 22
Resale of a Park Model in the Park . . . . . . . . . 23
New Buyer Income Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Rights of Heirs Inheriting Mobile. . . . . . . . . . . 24
Used Homes - Resale Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . 24
Homeowners Required to Sell to Park . . . . . . . 24
New Home Defects and Warranties . . . . . . . . 25
Other California Senate Select
Committee Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SERVICES PROVIDED BY COMO-CAL . . . . . . . . . 26
ARTICLES BY COMO-CAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-33
TESTIMONIALS FOR COMO-CAL . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
CONTACT INFORMATION - COMO-CAL. . . . . . . 35
It is only available through COMO-CAL. Each
Hanbook costs $5.00 plus postage of $1.50 ($6.50
total). We pay shipping on orders over 10 copies, i.e.
cost is just $5.00 each. See page 3 for contact info.
We have sold over 1,100 Handbooks to date to
both residents and managers. It is an invaluable
reference guide you will use over and over.
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 18 9/8/11 10:28 AM
02%,/(+20(5(6,'(1&</$:
)5(48(17/<
$6.('48(67,216
$16:(56
Compiled by the California Senate Select

Committee on Manufactured Homes
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+$1'%22.
3XEOLVKHG'LVWULEXWHGE\&202&$/
Now that parks will not automatically distribute the
MRL, this HANDBOOK is a must Ior all home-
owners. The 36 page Frequently Asked Questions
and Answers HANDBOOK is designed to answer
58 oI the most pressing questions homeown-
ers have about the Mobilehome Residency Law
(MRL). This inIormative HANDBOOK is being
published and distributed by COMO-CAL, a name
known Ior it`s grass roots advocacy in CaliIornia.
No need to join us, simply order the HANDBOOK
Ior $6.50(includes shipping). We pay shipping on
orders over 10 Handbooks.
HANDBOOK COST
$5. + $1.50 shipping
TO ORDER
SEND A CHECK TO
COMO-CAL, P.O. BOX 4821,
CHATSWORTH, CA 91313-4821
OR CALL / E-MAL US DRECTLY
AT 1-800-929-6061
e-mail: comocal@yahoo.com
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Getting Organized - Article by Chandra Spencer, Attorney At Law
WHY GET ORGANIZED?
Often when people
think about getting organized,
they think about cleaning their
closets, sorting through their junk
drawer or other more mundane
household tasks. They rarely think
about organizing and uniting as
people with common interests for
a common goal. That is what this
article is about.
As mobilehome owners,
the importance of unifying as
an organized group cannot be
overstated, especially when faced
with a legal challenge by a mobile-
home park owner or a govern-
mental entity. While individual
mobilehome owners certainly
have rights under the Mobilehome
Residency Law and other state
and federal laws, protecting those
rights as an individual is often a
difcult challenge. By unifying
with other mobilehome owners,
within your own park and in your
area, you are in a much better
position to protect your home
and your rights. By uniting with
others, you are able to pool your
resources in a way that you would
not be able do alone. The old
adage there is safety in numbers
certainly applies in this context.
HOW DO I ORGANIZE?
One of the common
barriers to getting organized is the
fear of the unknown. However,
it is really much easier than it
sounds; and there are several legal
ways to do it.
1. TALK TO OTHER RESIDENTS
One way to get organized
is to talk to the other residents in
your park to see if they share the
same concerns as you do. Under
the Mobilehome Residency Law,
you have the right to [p]eacefully
assemble or meet in the park, at
reasonable hours and in a reason-
able manner, for any lawful
purpose. Civ. Code 798.51(a)
(1). Any such meeting may be
held in the park community or
recreation hall or clubhouse when
the facility is not otherwise in
use, and, with the consent of the
homeowner, in any mobilehome
within the park. Civ. Code
798.51(a)(1).
You also have the right to
[i]nvite public ofcials, candi-
dates for public ofce, or repre-
sentatives of mobilehome owner
organizations to meet with
homeowners and residents and
speak upon matters of public
interest. Civ. Code 798.51(a)
(2).
Moreover, you have the
right to [c]anvass and petition
homeowners and residents for
noncommercial purposes relating
to mobilehome living, election
to public ofce, or the initiative,
referendum, or recall processes, at
reasonable hours and in a reason-
able manner, including the distri-
bution or circulation of informa-
tion. Civ. Code 798.51(a)(3).
If the park owner or
management tries to stop you from
doing these things, you can le an
action in a court of law against the
park owner or management. Civ.
Code 798.52.
2. FORM A RESIDENTS
ASSOCIATION
Another way to get
organized is to consider forming
either an unincorporated or
incorporated residents associa-
tion. Representation of property
owners through such an associa-
tion is well-recognized by the
courts. For example, in Residents
of Beverly Glen, Inc. v. City of
Los Angeles, , the court noted
that in recent years there has
been a marked accommoda-
tion of formerly strict proce-
dural requirements . . . where
matters relating to the social and
economic realities of present-
day organization of society are
concerned. Specically relating
to mobilehome parks, In Tenants
Association of Santa Anita Park
v. Southers, the court held that
an unincorporated association of
mobilehome owners had standing
to sue the owners and managers of
the park for an injunction to stop
them from moving tenants from
the park illegally and to require
the park owner to maintain the
parks common areas.
If you are interested in
forming an unincorporated associ-
ation, you can do so by simply
asking the other residents to ll out
membership forms. Or, you can
proceed more formally through
election of directors, adoption of
by-laws and registration with the
Secretary of State.
3.BRING A REPRESENTATIVE OR
CLASS ACTION
Another means of getting
organized is through the use of
a representative or class action.
If you think you and others in
your park have similar economic
claims against your park owner
or governmental agency that
regulates your park, you should
contact an attorney experienced
in such matters.
Article by Chandra Gehri Spencer
2625 Townsgate Road Suite 330
Westlake, Ca. 91361
(213) 631-8331
cgs@cgslaw.com
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 20 9/8/11 10:28 AM
Fund Raiser - Entertainment Book 2012
On September 1, 2011 COMO-CAL kicks off our Entertainment Book
2012 Fund Raiser. Our goal is to raise $5,000. If 30 folks sold just 12
books each we would reach that goal. So help us help you! Call Frank
@ 818-886-6479 and we will schedule a meeting and pass out promo-
tional materials.
Save on everyday essentials or tantalizing treats. Entertainment has
been helping individuals and families save on the important things
that make life worth living. Whether youre on a budget or looking to
splurge, were committed to helping you save on:
Dining Shopping Movie Tickets
Groceries Services Travel
Attractions Car Care Home Furnishings
& much more
We already have books for the San Fernando Valley. They
sell for $30 ($5 savings off retail). We have all the promotional
materials to help you sell. Give us a call at 818-886-6479.
If you are unable to change your life
then change your prospective.
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 21 9/8/11 10:28 AM
COMO-CAL: Services / How to Join
COALITION OF MOBILEHOME OWNERS-CALIFORNIA
NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (Print Please)
NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: _______________________________
PARK NAME: ____________________________________ MANAGER/OWNER __________________
MAILING ADDRESS: _______________________________________________ SPACE #: ____________
CITY: ______________________________________________STATE: ___________ ZIP: ______________
E-MAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________________________
APPLICANTS PHONE NUMBER:(_____)-_____-______________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT: _____________________________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP: $25.00/12 Months
FAQ HANDBOOK: $6.50 (Includes $1.50 mailing - Free mailing on orders of 10 or more)
Check/M.O. # ________ Amount: $____________ Donation(____) Amount: $____________
INCLUDE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO COMO-CAL
MAIL TO: COMO-CAL, P.O. BOX 4821, CHATSWORTH, CA. 91313-4821
COMO-CAL is a member-
ship organization, i.e only our
members receive our newsletter,
and other services, etc. Annual
membership is only $25. We
must charge because we do not
get grants or help from anyother
source, including the State of
California or the federal govern-
ment.
SERVICES WE PROVIDE OUR
MEMBERS
We provide at least 6 issues
of THE VOICE - our bi-monthly
newsletter. It is usually 16-20
pages long, lled with information
no mobilehome owner should be
without. Included are articles
from attorneys, tips, suggestions,
help understanding laws, infor-
mation regarding what you need
to do to protect yourself and your
investment and much more.
Our website (www.comocal.
org) provides all mobilehome
owners important information,
including attorneys versed in
the Mobilehome Residency Law
(MRL), important links to govern-
ment, advocacy groups, etc.
We have attorneys we refer
members for help with litigation
or advice. Unfortunately your
dime.
We have a blog - AROUND
CALIFORNIA at www.aroundcali-
fornia.comocal.org.
Ultimately, we give home
owners hope that someone is
working for their interest.
HOW DO I JOIN?
Joining is easy. You can
simply call us at 818-886-6479
and give us your information.
Should you want to use your
credit card, simply give us that
information at the same time.
All your information is kept in
the strictest condence. Once
we bill your credit card, this
information is destroyed.
Or you can ll out the appli-
cation below and send it along
with a check to COMO-CAL,
P.O. Box 4821, Chatsworth, Ca.
91313.
You can get additional
information from our website at
www.comocal.org.
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 22 9/8/11 10:28 AM
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|r prooale lees ard cosls lor your re|rs. we a|so drall PoWers ol Allorrey,
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we've oeer doWr lr|s road. Lel us re|p you.

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were you named Executor |n a w|||? has a fam||y member d|ed w|thout a w|||?
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ard pel|l|or|rg lre courl lor l|ra| d|slr|oul|or lo lre re|rs. |f an estate |s |ess than $100,000, We car ass|sl
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LL.H. (Taxat|on}
New York Un|vers|ty, 8choo| of Law
New York, NY

J.0., (Taxat|on emphas|s}
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hast|ngs 6o||ege of the Law
8an Franc|sco, 6A

.A., Econom|cs
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N00ll000M0
N88Il0
P.O. Box 4821
Chatsworth, California 91313
Non Prot
Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Chatsworth, CA
Permit 617
Published by the Coalition of Mobilehome Owners of California (COMO-CAL)
Exclusively for Owners of Mobile/Manufactured Homes in California
DidynuknnwadvcrtisingnnthcbacknIapub!icatinnis
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$'9(57,6(
+(5(
1-800-929-6061
www.comocal.org
www.mobilehomemagazine.org
comocalyahoo.com
62515_Bklt_r3.indd 24 9/8/11 10:28 AM

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Mobilehome Magazine Vol 1 Issue 1

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Published by the Coalition of Mobilehome Owners of California (COMO-CAL)

Exclusively for Owners of Mobile/Manufactured Homes in California

Compiled by the California Senate Select

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