Springfield, IL …In a continued effort to provide affordable housing to mobile home owners, State Representative Ruth Munson (R- Elgin) passed a motion to override the Governor’s veto of her landmark legislation that will offer improved protections for mobile home tenants.
In the first moments of fall Veto Session held in the historic Old State Capitol, Munson called House Bill 5377 for discussion. Her bill ensures that mobile home owners, many of whom are senior citizens, will no longer be taken advantage of by wealthy property owners who control the land on which mobile homes are situated.
"It is imperative that we offer protection to these home owners who are often subject to unfair rent increases and other unjust decisions that are made by some publicly traded corporate entities," Munson said. "Many times this vulnerable population is left with no choice but to vacate their homes when they can’t meet landlord demands."
House Bill 5377 includes initiatives such as:
- A person who executes a lease may cancel the lease by notifying the park owner within 5 business days after it execution
- Tenants may engage a State certified general real estate appraiser to determine the fair market value of the rent as designated in their lease should there be a concern of artificially inflated rents.
- Park owners are prevented from charging or imposing fees or increases in rent that reflect the cost of fine, fees, damages or penalties for which the landlord is charged by a court or other regulatory body
- Park owners must offer a 2-year minimum lease
Munson introduced the bill to protect residents in mobile home communities from losing their homes when they could no longer afford artificially inflated rents. House Bill 5377 is designed to offer protections to residents dealing with the unique relationship in mobile home communities where the tenant owns the physical home but leases the land upon which the home is located.
The bill has to once again receive approval from the Senate in order to become law. Munson said if passed, the bill will help more than 3,000 people in at least 11 different mobile home communities in the state.
"We have a real opportunity to positively affect many people who live in manufactured home communities," Munson said. "We’re putting an end to unfair housing practices that are taking place in these communities and helping senior citizens remain in their homes."
Today is the first day of a 6-day Veto Session which is being held at the Old State Capitol due to a multi-million dollar reconstruction of the House and Senate Chambers. Members of the House of Representatives are the first body to meet in the historic building since the legislature last met in 1875. Munson was the first legislator to present legislation since that time.
For more information, contact Rep. Munson
at 847-622-1048.
