Gorham Mobile Home Residents Await Sale Decision Amid Legislative Changes
GORHAM, Maine — Residents of Friendly Village Mobile Home Park are anxiously awaiting a decision on their bid to purchase their park, following the recent passage of "An Act to Protect Residents Living in Mobile Home Parks," LD 1145. Despite its unanimous support in both the Maine Senate and House, the new law will not take effect in time to assist residents in their current purchase process.
Currently, Maine law allows mobile home park residents to be notified of a sale and to make an offer, but those offers are not guaranteed to be accepted. The newly proposed law would grant residents the right of first refusal, enabling them to buy the land beneath their homes and withstand potential corporate-driven rent hikes.
In response to an out-of-state corporation’s bid above $22 million for their park, residents of Friendly Village formed a cooperative and submitted their own offer, exceeding that amount. However, they await confirmation of their offer’s acceptance, which highlights the ongoing uncertainty they face.
To expedite the bill’s enactment and aid Friendly Village, it would have needed a two-thirds majority to be effective immediately. Instead, it will take effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns, potentially leaving residents vulnerable.
In addition to LD 1145, two other bills—LD 1723 and LD 1765—aim to cap rent increases, limiting them to a maximum of 10 percent over four years and 5 percent annually, respectively. These measures could provide relief for residents who fear steep rent hikes should the out-of-state corporation acquire the park.
As they await news on their ownership bid, residents remain hopeful that these legislative changes will provide a safety net for their community, particularly for those living on fixed incomes.
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