An effort by Parkridge Mobile Home residents to stop the large rate increases of February 2008 was unsuccessful, in part due to a missed legal deadline and the absence of a homeowner’s association at Parkridge (resident’s names have been redacted to protect their privacy).

But even without a homeowners association, Parkridge residents still have rights when it comes to rate increases, maintenance, safety and other quality of life issues in the parks. Several state, county and municipal offices enforce laws and regulations affecting mobile home parks.

Rate Increases
Under Florida law, a park owner must give written notice to mobile home owners at least 90 days before any increase in lot rental amount. Mobile home owners have the right to appoint a committee and, within 30 days of receipt of the rate increase notice, request a meeting to discuss the rate increase with the park owner. If after the meeting the resident committee does not agree with the reasons for the rate increase, Florida law provides a process which can lead to the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes (part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation) mediating the dispute between residents and owners. The full process is spelled out in Chapter 723 of the Florida Statutes.

Contact information for the Division is here.

Complaint forms regarding any provision of the Florida Mobile Home Act are available here.

Health and Safety
The Florida Department of Health, through its Bureau of Community Environmental Health, licenses mobile home parks. The Bureau’s mission is to ensure “safe drinking water supply, proper sewage disposal, a safe and disease free swimming pool (where provided), and assurances that the establishment is free from garbage, harmful insects, and rodent infestations” in mobile home and RV parks statewide.

Health and Safety laws are enforced by county departments of health. In Broward County, the Environmental Health Division conducts inspections and investigates resident complaints:

The division has a Pompano branch, (954) 786-4807.

Building Codes and Public Safety
The City of Pompano Beach Building Department, (954) 786-4670 , enforces the building code.

Also, Pompano Beach contracts with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, (954) 786-4201 , for some building code enforcement and general public safety concerns.