Lakeland, FL asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Florida

Q: Can the owner of a mobile home park charge an additional monthly fee/rent if it is not defined in the prospectus?

Let's say that Jim has moved back to his childhood home on lot 42 and the owner of the mobile home park now considers him an additional occupant. He charges lot 42 an additional $110 in rent. That amount nor the definition of an additional occupant is noted in the prospectus. The park owner does not own the mobile home. There is no lease. Jim contests the fee in writing , but the owner does not reply. "How can I be an additional occupant since I once lived here", he states. The owner waits 90 days and hits lot 42 with the fee. Is this legal? Jim has paid the extra fee for over a year now. Nobody at lot 42 received a copy of the prospectus. Does Jim have any legal recourse to get his money back?

1 Lawyer Answer

A: No one can answer this question without reading any documents that were signed between the parties and any documents that are in the public record. Whether or not that charge is legal depends on the reading and analysis of those documents. Not paying the charge would likely lead to an eviction. Whether or not the eviction would be successful would be a guess at this point.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.