The City of Banning had indicated they will make a presentation to their City Council in March about mobilehome rent control and receive direction on how the City Council wishes to proceed. 

Banning has a rich history of beating back mobilehome rent control efforts going back to 1995. Most of the original owners back then still own these Banning communities today and recall how one park filled the chambers with residents opposing the effort to bring rent control to Banning. They objected to the outrageous fees required to be paid by parkowners and residents to administer these ordinances. 

About 15 years ago another serious effort was made to pass mobilehome rent control in Banning. This time the alternative use of leases was the leverage to defeat an ordinance. And today most operators continue to offer long-term leases to give residents the certainty that a lease can provide. 

Today’s effort is fueled by the fear of a new operator and the unusually high CPI. It is common for new ownership to spark residents’ concern about their new, unknown operator. More often than not, in a small period of time, the mistrust is diminished. The new owner has been very tempered with increases and has implemented rent increases far below the regional CPI index that the existing leases permitted.  They also have several capital improvements planned for the property at no cost to the residents this year. 

Unfortunately, a few residents have pestered the council with misinformation and untrue characterizations of operations, they feel compelled to act or at least have a presentation on their options. 
WMA and several parkowners have met with the city a few times to help staff navigate the treacherous waters of mobilehome rent control. Staff is skeptical, but they work for the council and the council is the ultimate decision maker. 

The high percentage of long-term leases will be an advantage. If they were to pass an ordinance it would affect very few spaces in town until January 2025, per the objectionable Assembly Bill 82, which is now subject to WMA’s litigation.

WMA will continue to work against harmful local ordinances in all of our local communities like Banning. 

Julie Paule,is WMA’s Regional Representative for San Diego/Orange/Riverside/Imperial. She can be reached at julie@pauleconsulting.com.