Lansing — The Michigan Senate overwhelmingly approved Tuesday bipartisan bills that aim to boost the enforcement of standards for mobile home parks.
The package of policies would require the state to create a database of mobile home parks, mandate annual inspections and force park owners to notify residents of their intent to sell properties. In addition, the proposals would hike licensing fees for the parks.
Sen. John Cherry, D-Flint, said Michigan’s regulations for manufactured housing communities haven’t been updated since 1997.
“Michigan has become the second-highest state in the nation for private equity ownership of mobile home parks,” Cherry said.
Parks have been operated by people without licenses, water service has been shut off to residents, and families have had their community sold with no legal recourse, Cherry said.
The Democratic lawmaker added that the bills would set up a level playing field across the industry. Nearly 250,000 Michigan residents live in mobile home parks, Cherry said.
The main bill in the package passed the Democrat-led Senate in a vote 31-3. The measures would have to be approved by GOP-controlled House and signed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to become law.
Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Allen, attempted to amend the bills to remove the fee increases, but his proposal failed.
Currently, a mobile home park can get a three-year license from the state for $225, according to the nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency. The bills would make it an annual license with the price gradually increasing from $500 to $1,100 in 2036.
“If you’re going to have stepped-up enforcement, it requires people to do enforcement,” Cherry said of the reason for the fee increases.
The Michigan Manufactured Housing Association has voiced support for the Senate policies, saying the bills encourage development.
“This package of bills goes a long way to drive toward our shared, overlapping goals of addressing quality, affordability, and increasing the available housing supply,” said John Lindley, president of the association.
The measures would also bar park owners from engaging in certain deceptive practices, likecharging more for utility services than a utility charges.
cmauger@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan Senate OKs new standards, fees for mobile home parks
Reporting by Craig Mauger, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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