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Highlights of MHOO-OSTA's 30th Annual Convention Keynote Speaker: John VanLandingham Thanks to all who attended this year’s convention! Our keynote speaker was prominent housing advocate and attorney, John Van Landingham. He has been instrumental in his role in the landlord/tenant coalition that introduces initiatives to state legislators. When these bills become law, it is nothing less than a victory for residents everywhere of manufactured home parks. In his address, Van Landingham pointed out the necessity of working together with groups, such as landlords, and lenders, when our initial interests seem to be in conflict. Legislators typically do not listen to the voice of residents alone; residents need the cooperation of landlords and other entities to get the attention of landlords. At issue in the last legislative session was the tremendous increase in park closures, predominantly in Washington county, that has displaced many senior citizens, a vulnerable group often on fixed incomes. This group also has a strong history of voting, so the legislators are more sensitive to their needs. The success of HB2735 means assures greater rights for tenants facing closure of their parks, and a number of protections that residents previously did not have. For a thorough enumeration of these, see Rights Gained for Tenants in 2007. Previously, a landlord only needed to provide a year’s notice, or 180 day notice if he/she could offer a suitable alternative space for their home. They also had to offer a $3500 payment to the homeowner, but would often charge 2000-4000.00 for the disposal of the manufactured home if an owner’s financial situation rendered him or her unable to move it. Now, owners forced to move can expect to a payment of 5000.00-7000.00, payable by the landlord, whether they physically move their mobile home or not. Half of this payment will be received prior to the move and the other half will be issued shortly after the resident moves. In addition, landlords cannot charge an “abandonment fee” if an owner cannot find a new space for, or simply cannot afford to move, their homes. Owners can also expect a 5000.00 tax credit from the state to offset their moving costs. Also, all park owners/landlords who sell their park to their residents, should their residents organize to buy the park, will NOT be required to pay a capital gains tax on the sale. While this is certainly a wonderful incentive, Van Landingham expressed grave concern over the “save-ability” of parks located in the Portland metro area and Central Oregon, due to the “red hot market” of housing and rising costs of land, which might make a resident purchase of parks in these areas too cost-prohibitive.
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