Q: If the place I live was bought out by another company and they did not give us new leases, is this an issue?
I live in a mobile home park and I was under the impression that I was purchasing it. Basically like a mortgage payment and then a lot rent. In any case the park sold to another owner and my title is in that business name, and my lease is the original owners business name. The new owners stated they were not giving us new leases, because they have also bought the business name, but again the title to my mobile home is in the new owners other company name. Is this an issue I should raise questions about? Thank you.
A:
It's legally impossible to be "under the impression that I was purchasing it" if you didn't have a legal document drawn up for that purpose. I'm guessing that the new owner of the mobile home park intends to kick you and the other residents out at some point in order to turn the property over to developers, or to develop it themselves. Without any written lease or some other legal document establishing long-term rights, you will be in a month-to-month tenancy, which can be terminated at any time, with a certain amount of time given to remove your mobile home or simply leave. How much time that will be depends on the circumstances, and the owner must comply with the Florida Mobile Home Act, which requires a few hoops for the owner to jump through before the they can start eviction processes. (You can read up on that act on-line).
Bottom line: you and your neighbors should IMMEDIATELY consult a landlord-tenant attorney in your area who handles mobile home matters. If you cannot afford a consultation, contact your local Legal Services or Legal Aid office.
Bruce Alexander Minnick agrees with this answer
A:
Mr. Baron has given you excellent advice. The only reason I write is to cut to the chase and break it down for you--so you will understand. Unless your name is on the title to the mobile home than you own no part of it. Period.
And unless your name is on a valid written lease you are also out of luck--and might be out of the trailer pretty soon.
If these facts upset you then take the good advice given to you by Mr. Baron--hire a lawyer.
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