Searsport voters approved an ordinance on Saturday that limits rent increases at mobile home parks. The measure passed 67-12 at the annual town meeting.
The rent stabilization measure will apply to all three of the town’s mobile home parks. Parks that are owned by a cooperative or have passed a stricter agreement restricting rent increases are exempt.
Under the new ordinance, park owners may raise lot rents only once each year. In general, the ordinance limits rent increases to the most recently posted annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index plus 2%. But owners may be able to charge a higher increase in rents or fees if they petition the town’s affordable housing committee and can demonstrate that the increased revenues will go to cover increased operating costs, capital improvements or emergencies.
The new rules require owners to give residents at least 90 days notice when raising lot rents or fees and provide residents with contact information including their name, address, telephone number and email address.
The Searsport rent control effort is part of a broader push in Maine to protect residents of mobile home communities from rent hikes as parks are increasingly bought by private equity firms and out-of-state investors.
Cities including Waterville and Sanford have passed moratoriums temporarily freezing lot fee increases. Voters in Jay will consider a similar measure at their town meeting in April.