State Launches Inquiry Into Killingworth Mobile Home Park: AG

KILLINGWORTH, CT — State Attorney General William Tong has launched an inquiry into longstanding property management concerns at Beechwood Community mobile manufactured home park in Killingworth.

Tong has received numerous complaints over the last year from Beechwood Community residents who have seen sustained, escalating rent hikes despite deteriorating conditions, according to a statement.

Beechwood residents, like many residents of mobile manufactured home parks, own their homes but pay monthly rent for the lot of land they sit on which covers various common amenities, including property maintenance.

Beechwood was acquired by Sun Communities in 2019, one of several real estate investment trusts that have acquired hundreds of mobile home parks across the country. The result has been increased lot rent and decreased responsiveness to tenant needs, according to residents.

Tong additionally submitted testimony regarding two legislative proposals seeking to ensure mobile home parks in Connecticut remain both affordable and well-managed.

“Residents everywhere—regardless of the type of property—deserve affordable, safe, appropriately maintained housing," Tong said in testimony to the state legislature. "I fully support the Housing Committee in their efforts to ensure Connecticut’s mobile home communities remain an affordable option.”

Tong visited Beechwood in November and heard complaints from dozens of residents regarding community-wide septic problems, among other concerns. Beechwood tenants reported that Sun has not kept up with regular septic tank maintenance, and as a result tenants are experiencing sewage back-ups into their sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.

Many of these tenants are elderly and disabled. Some have paid out of pocket to have plumbers address problems resulting from these septic backups.

One disabled resident complained of a large beehive in front of her porch. The management company said they did not have money in their budget to remove it, according to the statement. The tenant paid herself to get it removed.

Another tenant complained that her stairs lacked rails and were loose. She reported that maintenance agreed they were dangerous, but management has yet to fix them.