Mobilehome Magazine March/April 2012 by Frank Wodley

a ni or lif Ca n rn tio he di ut E So WWW.MOBILEHOMEMAGAZINE.ORG

In this issue:

Freedom of Speech Long Term Leases Vacancy Control Upwardly Mobile Magazine

MARCH / APRIL, 2012 VOL. 2 â&#x20AC;˘ ISSUE 2 $2.50 Newsstand $1.00 Subscription ($6.00/Year) Published by Wodley Printing Exclusively for Owners of Mobile/Manufactured Homes in California We Advocate to protect your rights, your lifestyle and your investment

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

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March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

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Mobilehome Magazine

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March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

tabLe oF contentS Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . It’s Your Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobilehome Magazine Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . Around California: Rent Control Under Siege . . . . . . . . . . The Future: $1700 Rents for Los Angeles Mobilehome Owners? Should I Sign That Long Term Lease? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frequently Asked Questions Handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . Distribution of Literature - An Investigative Report. . . . . . . . Mobilehome Magazine This & That . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Upwardly Mobile Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Upwardly Mobile Magazine: Trailer Tales Episode One . . . . . Eleven Commandments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How To Make Change: From Idea To Action . . . . . . . . . . . Let’s Make It Happen Here In The San Fernando Valley . . . . . Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keep It Alive - Subscribe to Mobilehome Magazine . . . . . . .

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. . 4 . . 5 . . 5 . 6-7 . . 8 . 10 . 11 12-13 . 15 . 16 . 17 . 18 . 19 . 19 . 21 . 22

What Our Readers are Saying About Mobilehome Magazine . . . . 23

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(805) 653-7337 MHMag

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

From the Editor

It’s Your MONEY

e are already into our fourth edition and continue to focus on issues that affect your pocket book - Rent Control, Vacancy Control, and Long Term Leases. In addition we have articles about our website at www.mobilehomemagazine.org, and the Distribution of Literature in mobilehome parks. Park owners in rent control areas (Los Angeles is one of about 110 across California) face a unique challenge. They must follow rent control guidelines. A crucial part of about 40% of RSO Ordinances is Vacancy Control. We continue to write about “vacancy control”. Why? Because park owners are determined to rid California of vacancy control. Page 8 is a must read. Learn what park owner representatives are doing here in Los Angeles to lobby the L.A. City Council. It will shock you! If they are successful, many of us could lose the equity in our homes, i.e. our homes would have NO VALUE when sold. This is not Serving the Mobile/Manufactured Home fiction. In fact, it’s happening in other areas of California (see Community in California Oceanside, Pages 6-7).

Mobilehome Magazine

One strategy park owners use to get around rent control is Long Term Leases. Some parks in rent control areas offer Long Term Leases to residents, especially new residents. Even as you read this, it is happening here in Los Angeles and across the state. You may ask, why is this so important? Because any lease over one year in length excludes a resident from rent control (see page 10). This issue of MHMag will be hand distributed to many living in the San Fernando Valley. This brings up “distribution of literature” in mobilehome parks. Parks would love to call it “solicitation” which is banned in mobilehome parks, but the distribution of literature (by residents) is guaranteed by law. We are Americans although we live on someone else’s land our Freedom of Speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment and our Mobilehome Residency Law! Read pages 12-13. We welcome the chance to re-print articles from Upwardly Mobile Magazine - Thank you Toni Gump. See pages 16-17. Finally we publish the ‘Eleven Commandments for mobile /maanufactured home owners on page 18. And “How to Make Change” on page 19. Enjoy! Thank you for reading and supporting MHMag.

Frank A. Wodley,

advertising@mobilehomemagazine.org http://www.mobilehomemagazine.org/

Mobilehome Magazine is published every other month by Wodley Printing exclusively for owners of mobile/manufactured homes in California. MHMag is not responsible for content contained in advertising PUBLISHER AND EDITOR

Frank A. Wodley ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE

Rose Rosales Frank Wodley DESIGN

Greg Frazier CONTRIBUTORS

Sally Studer Michelle Smith PROOF READER

Andree Denninger

Editor & Publisher

Wodley Printing, P.O. Box 3774 Chatsworth, California 91313 818-886-6479

Mobilehome Magazine

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March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

AROUND CALIFORNIA: Rent Control Under Siege scheme and rejected this out and out attack on renters. . We celebrate the recharging of a tenant movement which can claim as partners senior & disabled groups, labor unions, homeowners and many other community groups in future efforts to win economic justice. In addition, by passing Proposition 99, voters have enacted true and responsible protections against the misuse of eminent domain. Hopefully,Proposition 99 will squash any future thoughts of putting forth deceptive and devastating ballot measures like Proposition 98 and, before that Proposition 90. We will build on this victory and continue to organize. We will be even stronger the next time these landlords come knocking on our doors.

Local Measures We began writing about Rent Control in our first issue (September/October 2011, page 12). In fact the issue of Rent Control (officially called Rent Stabilization) has been around for years. Park owners and their representatives have been hard at work, both state-wide and locally, trying to defeat it.

State-Wide Measures Here are just a few instances of state-wide efforts to eliminate rent control: • Proposition 199 in 1995 • Proposition 90 in 2006. It was called the “Protect Our Homes Initiative.” • Proposition 98 in June 2008, under the guise of Eminent Domain, would have prohibited rent control and similar measures. All of the above measures were defeated at the polls. Larry Gross, Director of the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES) made a statement the night when Proposition 98 was soundly defeated: California voters provided a tremendous victory for those who are committed to preserving and producing affordable housing, protecting our environment, controlling development in neighborhoods and ensuring that we have an adequate supply of clean drinking water. .There is no doubt that the voters in this state have sent a very loud and strong message to landlords, mobile home park owners and even elected officials that Californians believe in and fully support rent control and tenants’ rights. This is a defining moment for tenants’ rights in this state. Voters were not tricked by the landlords’ deceptive Page 6

Because of lopsided defeats state-wide, park owners have turned their efforts toward elimination of local rent control / vacancy control ordinances. Already they are having successes. The efforts to defeat local ordinances are too numerous to mention here. Several cities come to mind: Goleta, Calimesa, Chula Vista, Oceanside and many more.

Calimesa Remember last year when the Calimesa City Council recommended Calimesa “sunset” rent control because they didn’t have the funds to oversee it. And park owner representatives were the only ones that showed up at hearings. When park residents heard this, 400 showed up and rent control was saved!

Chula Vista The Chula Vista City Council voted to approve vacancy decontrol last July 2011. A modified form of rent control is still in place for residents who remain in their mobile homes. The residents, who own their homes and rent the land underneath them, are still able to appeal proposed rent increases to a seven-member board appointed by the City Council, known as a rent review process.

Oceanside The city has had rent control in mobile home parks since 1984. Under rent control, park owners can request increases in space rent equal to 75 percent of the increase of the consumer price index. Owners can also request special rent increases, which are decided by the city’s Manufactured Home Fair Practices Commission.

Mobilehome Magazine

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

In May 2011 the Oceanside City Council voted in favor of vacancy decontrol, allowing rents to go to “market value” when mobile home owners sell their units. Subsequently park residents organized a petition drive to put the issue on the June 2012 ballot, asking voters whether they want to keep an ordinance that phases out rent control in the city’s 18 mobile home parks.

Misleading Information Part of the strategy of park owners is to provide voters misleading information. In a recent letter to the editor, Lois Berning of Oceanside writes: Information about vacancy decontrol contains fallacies: • Mail carriers in Oceanside have been busy delivering information about vacancy decontrol that is full of fallacies. These fliers talk about the administrative costs of rent control. Every owner of a mobile home pays a monthly fee that pays administrative costs. • They say the ordinance will prevent endless legal expenses, expenses that happen when the park owners ask for an adjustment (rent increase) from the Manufactured Homes Fair Practices Commission. • They use the phrase “increase rents to market rates.” After the existing resident moves, there will be no buyer when he knows that his rent can be raised to an unlimited amount. • They don’t mention the vindictive statement in the ordinance that says the home cannot be inherited unless the relative has been living with the tenant. In an adult park, how many tenants have their children living with them?

• The last point they try to make is that “Oceanside’s ability to maintain mobile-home parks as an affordable housing option is threatened.” Rent control is needed to keep mobile-home living as an affordable housing option. Beware of false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly, are ravenous wolves.

Fund Raising Political Action Committees are in place supporting opposite sides of the issue including Taxpayers & Property Owners for Fairness (Sponsored by Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association PAC for Rental Fairness) on the side of vacancy decontrol and Taxpayers for Oceanside Neighborhoods, which opposes decontrol. According

to the report, the Taxpayers & Property Owners for Fairness is ahead in terms of fundraising, reporting $160,775 compared to less than $50,000 for the group opposed to vacancy decontrol.

Consequences Are Far Reaching This is not just about Oceanside Vacancy Control. It is about vacancy control state-wide. Remember out of 365,000 spaces in California, 165,00 have some form of rent control, and of that about 65,000 have some form of vacancy control. Today vacancy control (they are decontrolled) is lost in Chula Vista. Oceanside could be next despite heroic efforts by mobilehome owners. Rent control was almost lost in Calimesa.

If You Have A Computer & Internet Go to this link on the internet: http://www. nctimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/forum-rentdecontrol-campaign-smells-bad/article_9b3d8abce2f3-58d7-b216-95918122ca69.html It is a FORUM: Rent decontrol campaign smells bad, published March 6,2012. Highlights are: Something smells like raw sewage in Oceanside. There is a huge $133,000 war chest to defeat rent control in Oceanside ---- perhaps the largest dollar campaign this city has ever seen. Any local efforts could pale against this massive lobbying effort unless each of you steps up ---- a true David-versus-Goliath story. This group exclusively represents mobilehome-park owners and has nothing to do with the manufacture of mobile homes or protection of mobilehome-park residents. Their choice of name, as well as the one being used in Oceanside, is confusing and misleading. In Oceanside, they have cleverly named it “Taxpayers and Property Owners for Fairness.” They are 100 percent behind mobile-home-park owners and do not care about fairness for mobile-home owners and residents. So far, this PAC has received thousands of dollars from out-of-town park owners with the precise object to overwhelm voters (again) with huge campaign dollars for flashy signs, brochures and advertising. Are you going to be fooled by glossy mailers and signs and vote against your self-interest again? Will you vote against basic human decency and justice for mobile-home residents? Do you like the stench of out-of-town lobbying? I can’t stand it! This FORUM has a discussion section with 56 comments - worth you time to scan them!

Mobilehome Magazine

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March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

The Future: $1700 Rents for L.A. MH Owners? Park Owners Work to End Vacancy Control

How Does It Affect You? Ok you say, how does this affect me? Simple. Remember the goal of park owners is to eliminate vacancy control. That means they would be able to increase your buyer’s rent to “market rent.”

If you have been following developments in California regarding mobilehome rent control, you will not be shocked to learn what’s happening here in Los Angeles, namely park owners are continuing their efforts to eliminate vacancy control.

Remember our simple rule: your equity decreases $1000 for every $10 your rent increases. That also applies when you sell. For every $10 the park raises the rent of your buyer, the amount your buyer will pay you for your homes decreases $1000.

What is Vacancy Control? Perhaps the words “vacancy control” means nothing to you; however it should. Please reread MHMag issue #1, page 11:

Market Rent

L.A. has vacancy control, which means when you sell your home the buyer’s rent increase is capped at 10% higher than your rent. This helps save your equity. The rule of thumb: for every $10 your rent increases per month, your home‘s value decreases $1000. We have written many times that without vacancy control, the value our homes here in L.A. could decrease $50,000 or more! We must always be watching!

What Park Owners Want Of course park owners DO NOT want any vacancy control. Why? Because it limits the amount of rent they can charge folks moving into a park. The cap is 10% more than the seller’s rent. Instead of a 10% cap, park owners want to charge “market rent,” i.e. any rent the market will bare.

How Do Park Owners Gain? They benefit at least two ways: 1) Higher rents mean greater profits. If they can raise your rent $100, that is $100 more profit, i.e. it doesn’t cost them anything - any rent increase is PURE PROFIT, i.e. more money in their pockets 2) A mobilehome park is a business. The value of businesses are determined by how much profit they produce. Double the profit = double the value. So higher rents mean higher park value, i.e. more money when they sell. Page 8

In a letter dated January 5, 2011, park owner representative Richard Close of Gilchrist & Rutter, suggests that “market rent” for the L.A. market (that’s YOU) is $1700! That means your park owner should be able to charge you, your friends and your neighbors, i.e. anyone living in a mobilehome park here in Los Angeles, a monthly rent of $1700. He continues by saying the current average rent is $752, so they suggest they want to increase rents an average of $948/month.

$95,000 Loss Yep, do the math. That comes out costing everyone of you $95,000! Not $6 to subscribe to Mobilehome Magazine, not $25 to join an advocacy group, not $7 to purchase the MRL from Sacramento, it costs you $95,000! I’ve been writing for 10 years that the “threats are real.” In fact during that period of time there have been several serious challenges to rent control and vacancy control.

What Should You Do? I’m not a fortune teller. I can’t tell you when there might be vacancy decontrol here in Los Angeles. I can tell you however the writing is on the wall. Park owners are determined to eliminate vacancy control in California. What should you do? Understand the potential threats. Organize. Subscribe and read MHMag. Talk to your neighbors...Be Prepared!

Mobilehome Magazine

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

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March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

Should I Sign That Long Term Lease? Q. Can the park manager force me to sign a long-term lease, causing me to lose rent control protections? A. Not if you are currently a homeowner residing in the park. If however, you are a buyer of a home in the park and not yet a resident, your right not to sign such a long lease is less clear. Civil Code Sec. 798.17 provides that a rental agreement or lease with a term of more than 12 months (one year) is exempt from any rent control ordinance, and as a result, some park owners try to encourage their residents to sign the longer term leases. You have the right to reject a long-term lease after reviewing it and opt for your rights, under Civil Code Sec. 798.18, to an annual or month-to-month rental agreement. If you elect to have a rental agreement for 12 months or less, the rent charges and conditions shall be the same as those offered in the longer-term lease during the first 12 months (Civil Code Sec. 798.18). Not all long-term leases are bad for homeowners, and some may provide rent stability for years that month-to-month or annual tenancy does not, particularly in localities where rent control will probably never be enacted. Homeowners need to exercise their right to review the pros and cons of the lease, and obtain advice from friends or attorneys, before signing any lease. State law allows residents 30 days for such review, and retaliatory threats from park managers that rents will be raised even higher if the residents don’t sign the long-term lease should be documented. Recap: • Current homeowners residing in park cannot be forced to sign long-term agreement. • Buyers, or prospective residents, may not have the option to reject long-term lease.

Department at 866-557-7368 or Rosa Benavides, the Mobile Home Park Task Force Coordinator at 213-808-8837). The Guide states as follows:

mobiLehome LeaSeS exempt From the rSo California Civil Code Section 798.17 exempts mobilehome leases from the protections of the RSO if the leases are for a term greater than 12 months. However, Civil CodeSection 798.17 and LAMC Section 151.29 require landlords to provides leases which contain specifed language that notifies the homeowner or prospective homeowner that the lease is exempt from the protections of the RSO. Every homeowner or prospective homeowner has the option to reject the exempt lease and request a lease for a term of 12 months or less which shall contain the same rental charges, terms and conditions as the exempt lease but which shall be subject to the protections of the RSO. In plain language, you can reject the long term lease that the park offers you and opt out for a short term lease, whereby you are covered by L.A. rent control (the Rent Stabilization Ordinance). In our opinion, you are much better off under rent control than under the long term lease of the park.

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• Current homeowners may reject long-term lease and choose a month-to-month or annual rental agreement. Charges and conditions must be the same as in long-term lease.

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• Residents have 30 days to review and accept or reject long-term lease. Q. I recently purchased a mobilehome in a park here in Los Angeles. Do we have rent control? Should I sign a long term lease? The park didn’t offer me a short term (one year or less) rental agreement.

The “loophole”discussed in the first question (above) has been closed for buyers. (Refer to the Los Angeles Mobilehome Park Reference Guide. You can obtain a hard copy by calling the Los Angeles Housing Page 10

Ollie Kirby, Author

Space # 142, 3210 Santa Maria Way Santa Maria, CA 93455 (805) 934-9248 • fairdealing@verizon.net

Mobilehome Magazine

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

FAQ Handbook: Now only $4.00 - A must have reference! The 36 page Frequently Asked Questions and Answers HANDBOOK is designed to answer 58 of the most pressing questions homeowners and park management have about the Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL). It was compiled by the Senate Select Committee on Manufactured Housing. See the back panel for a table of contents detailing the 58 questions. RENTS, FEES & TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rent Increases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pass-Through Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . Short Notice of Rent Increase . . . . . . Back Rent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Club House Deposits. . . . . . . . . . . . Security Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deducting Rent - Lack of Park Utilities Withholding Rent if Park Loses Permit Late Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobilehome Property Taxes . . . . . . . Property Taxes Too High . . . . . . . . . Section 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7

UTILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Park Utility Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Separating Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . Park Cable TV Antenna System Fees . Water Charges in Park . . . . . . . . . .

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8 8 8 8 9

LEASES & RENTAL AGREEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Long Leases Exempt from Rent Control . . . . . . . 9 Leases in Language Not English . . . . . . . . . . . 10 TERMINATION OF TENANCY . . . . . . . . . . Eviction for Late Payment Of Rent . . . . . Eviction for Rule Violations. . . . . . . . . . Termination at End Of Rental Agreement Rights in Park-Owned Mobilehomes . . . Park Closure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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10 10 10 11 11 12

PARK RULES & REGULATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rules v. The MRL Rule Changes . . . . . . . . . . Selective Enforce of Park Rules . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Park Changed to All-Age . . . . . . . . . . All-Age Park Changed Back to a Senior Park . Occupancy Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clubhouse Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parking Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Subleasing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RV’s in Mobilehome Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caregiver Residency in Park . . . . . . . . . . . . Park Maintenance, Inspections & Services . . .

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12 12 13 13 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 16 16

It is only available through MHMag. Each Hanbook costs $2.50 plus postage of $1.50 ($4.00 total). We pay shipping on orders over 10 copies, i.e. cost is just $2.50 each. We have sold over 1,100 Handbooks to date to both residents and managers. It is an invaluable reference guide you will use over and over. Failure to Maintain the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobilehome Park Inspection Program . . . . . Reduction of Park Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lot Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trees and Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Responsible for Pre-Existing Code Violations Permit for Remodel. Mobilehome . . . . . . . . Home Rehabilitation Assistance . . . . . . . . .

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16 16 17 17 17 18 18 19

PARK CONVERSION TO RESIDENT OWNERSHIP . Park Condo Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Right of First Refusal to Buy Park. . . . . . . . . . . Laws Appl. to Resident Owned Parks . . . . . . .

19 19 19 20

PARK OWNERS & MANAGERS . . . . . . . . . . . Park Manager Intimidation . . . . . . . . . . . . Park Violations of The Mrl . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contacting Park Owner/Operator . . . . . . . Management Not Available in Emergencies Park Manager Entering Lot . . . . . . . . . . . .

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21 21 21 21 22 22

HOME SALES, RESALES & TRANSFERS . Selling Home in Place in the Park . . . Resale of a Park Model in the Park . . New Buyer Income Requirement. . . . Rights of Heirs Inheriting Mobile. . . . Used Homes - Resale Disclosure . . . Homeowners Required to Sell to Park New Home Defects and Warranties . Other California Senate Select Committee Information . . . . . . . . . .

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23 23 23 23 24 24 24 25

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SERVICES PROVIDED BY COMO-CAL . . . . . . . . . 26 ARTICLES BY COMO-CAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-33 TESTIMONIALS FOR COMO-CAL . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 CONTACT INFORMATION - COMO-CAL . . . . . . . 35

Mobilehome Magazine

Page 11

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

Distribution of Literature in MH Parks - An Investigative Report Although this may seem like a frivolous issue, believe me “Distribution of Information” is at the very foundation of the tenant-landlord relationship. Many park owners do not want an exchange of information by residents or advocates. Take the Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL). Prior to January 2011 all parks were required to give a copy to all residents. Today you must ask management for a copy. Did you?

petition; proposal. In criminal law, it most commonly refers to either the act of offering goods or services, or the act of attempting to purchase such goods or services. Of course no one wants someone coming to their door selling something. But residents have a right to receive honest, accurate information about mobilehome life

Most park owners want management to be the only voice in the park. Don’t get me wrong, there are some excellent managers who manage well and know the law. But in my experience, most managers don’t know the law, and are poor managers. And often they are new to their job because of frequent turn-over.

Why This Issue at This Time MHMag is now being hand distributed in many parks. To that end, I’ve personally called many managers of parks in the San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita and Canyon Country. My question: “What is your policy regarding distribution of literature in your park.” Many answer “I don’t know,” or “we don’t allow solitication” or “we don’t allow anyone to distribute flyers,” or “the tubes are for park use only”.... Some say “sure, in fact we have a residents organization in the park and they distribute information to residents.”

Chatsworth Mobile Home Park In The Past I’ve personally fought with management and the park owner in my park for years. Their claims: a) You can’t solicit in Chatsworth MHP b) You can’t use the “black boxes” because they are for park use only c) We have no objection to you mailing your flyers to park residents d)

Literature requires our approval before it is distributed.

Many residents have complained about your literature. They don’t want to receive it.

Solicitation The first thing you see when driving into many mobilehome parks is a sign saying “solicitation prohibited.” Literally, solicitation means: ‘urgently asking’. It is the action or instance of soliciting; Page 12

Freedom of Speech Freedom of speech is the political right to communicate one’s ideas via speech. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, as with libel, slander, obscenity and incitement to commit a crime.

In California, your right to “freedom of speech” is guaranteed by a provision in The Mobilehome Residency Law (798.51 (a)3) as follows: (a) No provision contained in any mobilehome park rental agreement, rule, or regulation shall deny or prohibit the right of any homeowner or resident in the park to do any of the following: (3) Canvass and petition homeowners and residents for noncommercial

Mobilehome Magazine

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

purposes relating to mobilehome living, election to public office, or the initiative, referendum, or recall processes, at reasonable hours and in a reasonable manner, including the distribution or circulation of information.

Thank You I’d like to personally thank the management and ownership of the following parks who have allowed MHMag to distribute in their park: Chatsworth MHP

Publications in Mobilehome Parks

Indian Hills Village

Many parks have a newsletter, either published by a HOA, recreational committee or the like. Many have advertising from local businesses. One magazine (Mobile Home Park Magazine) goes into over 600 parks, with between 35-50% advertising. All of these publications are distributed, without management interference. (I must admit that many are pro-management).

Canoga Mobile Estates Reseda MHP Eton MHP Bermuda MHP Kona Kai MHP Riviera MHP Residents in the following parks will hand distribute MHMag. Thank you for volunteering! Calabasas Mobilehome. Estates Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates

Distribution of Mobilehome Magazine As with it’s predecessor THE VOICE, MHMag provides valuable information to owners of mobile/manufactured homes. The magazine is FREE (yes we do ask for subscriptions to support our efforts, but a subscription is optional). MHMag doesn’t sell pizza, soft drinks, or the like. We are not a SOLICITATION and are not really any different from the publications mentioned above. We do not attack specific owners or parks, but we do point out issues in parks - the right of any resident!

Chatsworth Mobile Home Park Today Before I forget, I’m happy to report that today any resident of Chatsworth MHP is free to use the “park black boxes” to deliver information to their friends and neighbors - without “pre-approval.” Management has even given their okay for MHMag to use the black boxes to distribute MHMag. And why not? Our manager is a mobilehome owner, just like many managers. Everyone can benefit from our information, even park managers and park owners. Remember, we have sent the FAQ Handbook to many managers across California.

Los Olivos Sierra Heights

Help Grow This List Step up and help out. How? First ask your manager about your park’s policy regarding distribution of literature. Show them this article. Show them the MRL provision that allows you to distribute literature. If they say okay, terrific! If they say you can’t distribute MHMag, give us a call. Perhaps a letter from an attorney will change their mind.

A Team Effort Freedom of speech is a 1st amendment right. Unfortunately we must all be vigilant. If our rights are being denied,we must fight to preserve them. Change must be a team effort. Each of us doing a little, doing whatever we can.

Your Effort Benefits All When you help yourself, you are also helping all mobile/manufactured home owners. For instance, when you subscribe to MHMag, your subscription helps us print more copies and distribute to more folks around California. There is much to be done, but we are on the right road. Thank You! Frank Wodley, Editor/Publisher/Reporter

Mobilehome Magazine

Page 13

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

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Mobilehome Magazine

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

Mobilehome Magazine This & That MHMag Website

THANK YOU!

Please visit our website at www.mobilehomemagazine.org. The home page displays previous issues, you can flip through the pages, read the articles, and even print anything of interest. We are working to get an archive of THE VOICE, so you can refer back to articles in that publication also.

Thank you for those who have subscribed. To date the number is about 150. This is a TEAM EFFORT and your support makes MHMag possible. I don’t know what I’d do without you!

POLLS Also on the home page of the website are five polls. Cast your vote, be heard. We are happy to see that over 80% say MHMag is terrific. Thank You!

Southern California Expansion Soon we hope offer the MHMag in Orange County, Riverside County, and the area between San Luis Obispo and Ventura. Our intention is to distribute 10,000 magazines per area. That’s a lot of work - please step up and help us help you. If you live in that area - help get advertising or volunteer to pass out the magazine in your park. If you could help with the postage (about $25/box of 150 magazines) that would be terrific.

Classified Advertising Have something to sell? Next issue we will have a “Classified Advertising Section.” The rate for one issue is $6.00/line, 4 line minimum. I see lots of “FOR SALE” signs in front of mobilehomes. Why not take advantage of MHMag? Place a classified or display ad - for just a few cents per issue folks who may want another home will see your ad! Call Frank at 818-886-6479 and he will give you a special rate! After all, we are here to help YOU!

Photos For MHMag We always struggle with photos for the magazine, especially front cover photos. If you feel you have a photo we can use, please email us a PDF.

Next Issue Delivery Date Next issue should reach you about June 1, 2012, but only if we get enough subscriptions...remember I’m shooting for 1,300 over the next two months - get your subscription in, don’t think the other guy will do it. If you value MHMag, and the way it is uniting folks, please support it.

I would like to give a special THANK YOU to those who have gone beyond and made a contribution. If I’ve missed someone, I’m sorry, but you know who you are. Brian, Sally, Connie, Ollie, Mari, Roseann, Alice, Virginia, Bradley, Doris, Penny, Eliezer, Dick, Lilliam, Calvin, Yvette, Sofina, Frances, Lavetta, James, Anna, David, Ernest, Sherry, Catherine, Ray, Mary, Lisa, Eleanor, Mary, Laurel, Kathy, Gary, Kathleen, Gail, Dean, Barbara, Ellen, Gentry, Joe, Frank, and many more...

A Long Way To Go There are about 180,000 spaces in Southern California and another 180,000 in Northern California. We reach 7,000 today, perhaps 25,000 to 35,000 by the end of the year. Remember last month, I asked for 15% to subscribe. To date about 2.5% have subscribed. If MHMag is to be successful, this must be a team effort. If you are reading this, you are part of that team. All of us face similar challenges and our only hope is to UNITE! MHMag is an opportunity. Don’t let it fail. At least subscribe. If you can’t afford $6, send what you can. Volunteer to distribute MHMag in your park. Call us and say hello...Go to the website and take the polls. Tell your friends and neighbors about us. You see there are many ways you can support our efforts. Help us help you!

Finally Thank you for reading Mobilehome Magazine. You are one of about 7,000 receiving this issue. Please keep it for reference. And please visit our advertisers. Say you saw their advertising in Mobilehome Magazine. After all they play a big role in bringing you this information. Without them there would be no MHMag!

Till next issue. Be well and be happy.

Mobilehome Magazine

Page 15

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

Upwardly Mobile Magazine Now Appearing in MHMag

manufactured, and modular living. We cover lifestyle issues with articles by nationally published writers, fine photographers, and noted artists. Upwardly Mobile features everything from affordable pre-fabs to multi-million dollar ocean-view mobile mansions, and from nouveau range retreats to hip manufactured houses for young families. We also feature articles on green modulars, amazing remodels, shopping, mobile nostalgia, and more—all wrapped up with crisp, modern design, is the only website (and previously magazine) solely devoted to this new essence of mobile, manufactured, and modular living. We cover lifestyle issues with articles by nationally published writers, fine photographers, and noted artists. Upwardly Mobile features everything from affordable pre-fabs to multi-million dollar ocean-view mobile mansions, and from nouveau range retreats to hip manufactured houses for young families. We also feature articles on green modulars, amazing remodels, shopping, mobile nostalgia, and more—all wrapped up with crisp, modern design, and stunning imagery.

Here at Upwardly Mobile, we intend to celebrate the history of mobile homes but also to show you the incredibly dynamic future of this housing genre. Never has so much Exciting things are happening in the “small space living” creativity been applied to developing market. Mobile, manufactured and prefab modular housing is innovative modular and manufactured the fastest growing segment of the housing industry—and for solutions for today’s homebuyers. obvious reasons: they are more affordable, they require less maintenance and planning and are being designed with simpler Welcome to the adventure! and more environmentally friendly footprints. And what used to carry the stigma of “your grandmother’s retirement home” is now incorporating the stunning architecture, remarkable style and award-winning interior design of traditional homes. Publisher, Upwardly Mobile is the only website (and previously UpwardlyMobile Magazine magazine) solely devoted to this new essence of mobile,

Toni Gump

Page 16

Mobilehome Magazine

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 2

Upwardly Mobile Magazine - Trailer Tales #1 Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: We thank Toni Gump of Upwardly Mobile Magazine for allowing us to re-reprint some articles from her terrific magazine. This will be an on-going department in MHMag. Frank Wodley, Editor, MHMag

Mobilehome Magazine

Page 17

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

Eleven Commandments Here is a contribution that will benefit us all… Mobile/Manufactured Home Owner’s ELEVEN COMMANDMENTS. Not everyone can do all these things, of course, but each Mobile/Manufactured Home owner should be able to contribute at least one of three things: time, talent, or treasure. Some people are good leaders and can organize activities. Others are good at understanding and interpreting laws and helping others learn about them. Others have time to do small things like pass out flyers or make phone calls. Others are good at reaching out to others and bringing them into the fold. Others have the “deep pockets” to help build up a legal fund. The trick is to find out who has these gifts, in your park, and get them all working together.

Most of these “commandments” deal with being proactive and knowing what you need to know before you need to know it. 1. Thou shalt become as familiar as thee can with the MRL and what thy rights are as a citizen and MH owner. 2. Thou shalt work towards establishing an HOA (Homeowners Association) for thy park, if it doesn’t already have one. 3. If thy park has an HOA, thou shalt work toward making it strong, well-organized and active, and free from internal bickering. 4. Thou shalt work towards establishing a Legal Fund for thy HOA and building it up. 5. Thou shalt join a statewide and/or local MH advocacy group, and do what thee can to help with its grassroots activities to support good legislation, get candidates favorable to MH owners elected, and enact beneficial ordinances. 6. Thou shalt seek out one or more local attorneys who will represent MH park residents at low cost on cases involving violations of the MRL. Thou shalt identify them BEFORE thee needs them. (Remember, the MRL is enforceable ONLY through the courts.) 7. Thou shalt stay connected with other MH owners through statewide email lists such as MHOF, and work to establish local email networks connecting MH owners in thy city or area. Page 18

8. Thou shalt become as familiar as possible with local ordinances affecting MH owners, such as a rent stabilization ordinance or a closure conversion ordinance. Know how thou art protected and where the loopholes are. 9. Thou and thy fellow park residents should understand how resident-owned parks work, and gather information on how to set one up properly, BEFORE thy park gets into a situation where becoming an ROP is the only way to save thy homes. 10. Thou shalt help make thy neighbors aware of their rights as MH owners, and encourage them to follow these commandments. Let’s not forget one of the most important commandments that will apply this year (an election year): 11. Thou shalt know the candidates for City Council and local offices and their positions on mobile home issues, and shall support only those candidates who are sympathetic to mobile home residential property rights and the rights to pursue policies and procedures (such as rent stabilization ordinances and park conversion ordinances) that protect mobile home residents. Thou shall oppose ANY candidates unsympathetic to mobile home resident rights and work to organize HOAs and mobile home park groups to oppose their candidacies as well. Submitted by Manufactured Home Owners Forum (MHOF newsgroup for MHOwners) members Anne Anderson and Tim Geddes. If YOU want to join this internet newsgroup, please contact Michelle Smith melizabeth2@sbcglobal.net. The group is ONLY open to mobile home owners.

GOLDEN STATE MOBILEHOMES Doing Business in Your Area 25 YEARS A reputation of professional service, integrity, honesty and reliability.

www.GoldenStateMobileHomes.com Gary Ashe & Marian (818) 884-5000

Mobilehome Magazine

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

How to Make Change: From Idea to Action http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/02/28/ how-make-change-idea-action Posted by Ronnie Cho on February 28, 2012 I’ve never been an advocate of waiting. Waiting in line, waiting for a ride, and particularly waiting for change all seem like missed opportunities. When there’s a shortcoming or issue that needs solving, we can’t wait for others to step up; we must take action. It doesn’t have to be much, just a phone-call or a letter. Or, one step better, answering the President’s call for youth roundtables. One inspiring young man shares how he’s stopped waiting for change. Mark Svensson, a senior at Georgetown University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Government, reflects on the Rockland Roundtable Initiative. Last summer I had the privilege of attending the White House’s “How to Make Change Civic Engagement” meeting. Energized by the message of panelists like Congressman Cedric Richmond that “we all can make a difference in our communities,” I left the White House that day with a goal - coming up with a plan to help create positive change in my community of Rockland County, NY. President Obama has stated, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” But I wondered....what could I do? That is when I learned about President Obama’s youth roundtable initiative. Inspired by President Obama’s call for young people to step forward and lead discussions about

how to improve our communities, I co-founded the Rockland Roundtable Initiative. Hosting a series of roundtable discussions, this initiative brings together local students, public and private sector officials and citizens to discuss pressing issues in Rockland, and to brainstorm viable ways that young people can help to address these challenges. These Roundtables have led to the establishment of a number of remarkable programs including an initiative to mentor young people at risk of dropping out of high school, book drives to provide literacy and educational opportunities to disadvantaged children and more. Just this past winter holidays, a group of students and I collected and donated more than 4,000 books for children of all ages to five local organizations. Through this initiative, I have gained a further appreciation to the power that comes when you commit to becoming involved and engaged in your community. I feel extremely humbled when community leaders in Rockland County such as Harriet Cornell, Chairwoman of the Legislature of Rockland County, state that our “focus on health, education, and civic engagement and initiative to serve as role models and mentors to other young people elicits optimism and hope to others.” We all have the power to create positive change in our communities. The first step in doing so is becoming involved. I encourage everyone to find their passion and voice and use it to help make their community a better place.

Make It Happen Here In The San Fernando Valley We all have the power to create positive change in our communities. The first step in doing so is becoming involved. I encourage everyone to find their passion and voice and use it to help make their community a better place. Yes you read this in the article above. You can make something happen here in Los Angeles & the San Fernando Valley. We have access to the meeting room at the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce. We can call a meeting. We can put out fliers. Surely the Valley can benefit from the efforts of a group of volunteers. I’m but one person. This is an opportunity to organize. A time to help yourself and

help others. I’m willing to assist, but I can’t and won’t take on another project. I have enough to do trying to get information to folks across California. I’d also like to see the formation of an advisory committee for MHMag in the SFV. Help write articles, help distribute the magazine, help coordinate efforts to get information to folks, etc. We all have the power to create positive change in our communities. The first step in doing so is becoming involved. I encourage everyone to find their passion and voice and use it to help make their community a better place.

Mobilehome Magazine

Call Frank @ 818-886-6479. Page 19

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Mobilehome Magazine

Business Directory Costs & Guidelines Contract Rate: 4 line minimum $4/line with year contract 6 issues ($96/year) No contract rate: Per issue rate: $6/line ($24/ issue) Bold-Face: plus $2.00 / per insertion per issue - top line only Italics: plus $2.00 / per insertion per issue - slogan line only Additional 4 line Listing under another Heading / per Heading - $12.00 per issue Additional 4 line Listing under another Zone / per Zone $12.00 per issue Page 21

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

Keep It Alive! Subscribe to Mobilehome Magazine Now you can subscribe to Mobilehome Magazine. I ultimately want every mobilehome owner in California to receive the magazine. The subscription fee has been kept affordable for all.

Advocacy is Our Goal As with COMO-CAL, my goal is not to make money, but rather to provide information to assist you in protecting your rights and investment. We are a team - this is really your magazine to use.

Cost of The Magazine The magazine does cost lot of money - this month I’m printing 7,000 copies / 170,000 full color pages! With mailing, the cost of each magazine is about $1.00 (that’s cheap, I have an excellent printer). And if you help out by distributing your park by hand, that will also cut costs.

Share The Burden If 20% subscribe, that’s 20% of the burden. Only 2% have subscribed to date, so please, help us help you. Subscribe. It’s only $6.00 for one year that’s $1.00 per issue. And please tell your friends and neighbors about us. My goal is to have 1,300 subscribe to the magazine in the next two months.

Benefits If we can keep MHMag alive by sharing the burden, then there will be long range benefits. Not only will you, your neighbor, your friends, and your community benefit, but other communities across California will benefit. You are the “test area.” This is your chance to make a difference! We can do this TOGETHER! Thank You!

Frank Wodley, Wodley Printing Editor/Publisher

$6.00/year/6 copies

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Page 22

Mobilehome Magazine

March/April, 2012 Vol. 2 • Issue 2

What Our Readers Are Saying Just received your new magazine and it looks great. I don’t know why anyone would not subscribe to that great price. I am enclosing my subscription and I have made a copy of your page and a note to our residents and recommended that they all subscribe. Virginia I have great regards and admiration for people of your caliber for your selfless service on behalf of mobile home residents. Olive We received the magazine today and are very grateful. I checked with neighbors and they received the magazine too. Yay! Thank you! Be encouraged, there is much interest in the magazine and it’s bringing the neighborhood together, starting conversations. Eric and Jennifer Sorry you had to close down COMO-CAL. I’m sure your magazine will achieve some of your well intentioned goals. Good luck and onward and upward. Mardi Good Job! Thank you for all your work. Charlotte Thanks for your continued good work. Good luck with the magazine. I have used it and previous

Thomas James Construction

“VOICE” for information on several occassions. Jean Excited to see you are publishing Mobilehome Magazine and sorry to see COMO-CAL go by the way side. You are so right about Intimidation and Harassment. Those are the statements we hear over and over. My answer is the same as yours. It’s up to YOU but I will help. Penny Great magazine! Thank you for continuing the good fight. Anna Best of luck to Mobilehome Magazine. We need a vehicle to unite mobilehome owners across California. And everyone can support it with their small subscription. Ted Editor’s Note: MHMag is already a success. We are reaching five times the number of mobilehome owners that we did with COMO-CAL. We are in the process of incorporating much of the information from the website comocal.org to mobilehomemagazine.org. No work of COMO-CAL will be lost. So please don’t be sad, our advocacy is alive, well, and will continue to reach more and more with your support!

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