Rent-Leveling Ordinance On Tap For Manchester Council

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Council is scheduled to hold a second reading and vote on an ordinance that aims to limit how much property owners can increase rent for those who live in mobile homes or manufactured homes.

The proposed rent leveling ordinance is part of the agenda for the council's meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the township municipal building, 1 Colonial Drive.

Residents of Pine Ridge at Crestwood, Pine Ridge North and Pine Ridge South, and Pine Acres Manor say they have faced rent increases on the land where their mobile homes or manufactured homes sit, increases that have consumed the cost-of-living increases they received on their Social Security income.

The proposed ordinance would set a limit of the lower of either the increase in the consumer price index or 3 percent for communities where the utilities are included in the rent. For communities where the mobile or manufactured home residents pay for their heat, the limit is the lower of either the increase in the consumer price index or 2 percent.

It also would limit property owners to one increase every 12 months.

The owners of the properties that host mobile homes or manufactured homes would be able to seek a higher increase through a rent leveling board, which would review proposed increases to decide whether they are justified.

The proposed ordinance also establishes requirements for notifying residents of impending rent increases, including a minimum of 60 days' notice, and requirements to break down the components of the rent including license fees and tax surcharges.

The full council agenda can be read here. The proposed rent leveling ordinance is available here.