Decision ’92 : SPECIAL VOTERS’ GUIDE TO STATE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS : LOCAL CONTESTS : Santa Paula Ballot Measure P

The measure bans rent increases on mobile-home lots when a coach is sold, eliminating the 25% increase allowed by Santa Paula’s existing Mobilehome Rent Review Ordinance. Instead, the measure would allow mobile-home park owners to charge a one-time $25 fee to the new owner when a coach is sold. The measure rolls back rents to those of Dec. 31, 1991, and prohibits passing through costs of repair or replacement of park streets and common areas to tenants. It retains basic formula for annual rent increases of three-fourths the Consumer Price Index.

Arguments For

Supporters say Measure P is needed because the 25% rent increase currently allowed when a mobile-home coach is sold has impaired the tenants’ ability to sell their coach. Residents of mobile-home parks say they are captive tenants and cannot easily move their coaches elsewhere to escape high rents. They argue that park owners are improperly charging routine maintenance costs to tenants and the measure would end such a practice.

Arguments Against

Opponents say Measure P is unnecessary because park residents are already protected by the city’s existing Mobilehome Rent Stabilization Ordinance. They contend that the measure would lead to costly lawsuits between park owners and the city, forcing city officials to reduce services or raise taxes. They also say the parks will deteriorate if landlords are forbidden from sharing maintenance costs with tenants.