Costa Mesa : Proposed Mobile Home Rental Study Quashed

The City Council has quashed a proposal for a study of mobile home park rents in the city, spelling defeat for tenants of a trailer park who face what they consider to be steep rent increases.

After moderating a debate between a representative of the new owners of Trailertown park in Costa Mesa and proponents of such the study--who included park tenants--the council on Monday permanently shelved the survey, which could have been a first step to a rent-control law.

The issue came before the council after Trailertown residents complained that D & GJ Investments of Laguna Hills, which acquired the aging park last month, planned to raise rents beyond the ability of some residents to pay.

During a public hearing before the vote, Gerry Dougher, whose two sons own the park, said the proposed rent increases--from $135 to $170 a month for single spaces and from $145 to $210 a month for double spaces--were not excessive. He contended that “$170 a month is lower than you will find in most areas,” adding that “the cost of renovating a 30-year-old park is considerable.”

Earl Lane, head of the Golden State Mobile Home Owners League, said he received complaints from Trailertown residents alleging that Dougher didn’t give them sufficient time to read lease agreements, which they charge contain provisions allowing unlimited rent hikes.

“I do not condone rent control, but I recommend that the city form a task force to study the situation,” Lane said.

Although Stanton and Westminster had similar ordinances in the past, San Juan Capistrano currently is the only city in Orange County with a mobile home rent-control statute.