The only statewide advocacy organization in Ohio representing the interests of manufactured home residents whose home is on rented land.
Question: Where would I look to find the guidelines for Manufactured Home Parks?
Answer: The
Nothing in the information on this website should be understood as legal advice. You are encouraged to seek legal advice from an attorney on any matter relating to legal issues. It may be very costly to ignore doing this.
Contents of this Page
Good News on HB 186!! The hard work has paid off!!
Convention News! Save the Date! New!
Install. Inspect. Protect. New!
AMHRO Officers
Find a Lawyer
HB 1.... It was AMHRO!!
Rental Fee Survey
Victory with the Media
AMHRO Mission and Vision
What is Intimidation?
Who Are Residents?
AMHRO Contact Form. Add Your Comments
Good News!! The hard work has paid off!! February 24, 2010
AMHRO and OMHA working together have been able to improve some issues for manufactured home residents. Here is the House Bill 186 Summary:
· Transfers, from the Department of Health (ODH) and the Public Health Council to the Manufactured Homes Commission (OMHC) regulatory authority related to manufactured home parks.
· Prohibits a park operator from prohibiting an owner of a unit in a manufactured home park from displaying a for sale sign on that owner’s lot.
· Prohibits a park operator from prohibiting an owner or a tenant from displaying a political sign on that owner’s or tenant’s lot.
· Alters the method and type of relief a tenant or owner may obtain from a park operator's violation of certain duties.
· Establishes adjudication procedures for violations of the Manufactured Home Park Law (MHPL).
· Requires a mortgagee to notify the OMHC when initiating foreclosure action against a manufactured home park and requires the OMHC to notify park residents.
· Requires a park operator to pay relocation expenses when a manufactured home park is converted or sold for another use.
· Requires the OMHC to develop a list comprised of organizations that have an interest in the sale or purchase of parks and persons that assist in financing manufactured home parks, and to notify persons on the list when a park is offered for sale or at any other time in the Commission's discretion.
· Establishes continuing education requirements for manufactured home park operators.
· Establishes the OMHC Regulatory Fund for the administration and enforcement of the MHPL.
· Diverts certain fees from the General Operations Fund (OGF)to the Occupational Licensing and Regulatory Fund (OLRF)for the administration and enforcement of the MHPL.
· Requires the Director of Budget and Management to transfer cash from the OGF that previously was collected pursuant to the MHPL into the OLRF for the administration of the MUPL.
· Repeals a provision in motor vehicle dealer’s law regarding a vehicle repair guarantee.
· Revises the application requirements for a new motor vehicle dealer's license and for a motor vehicle salesperson's license.
· Repeals the exception under current law that permits two or more motor vehicle dealers to sell manufactured or mobile homes in the same manufactured home park without having to agree to joint, several, and personal liability.
· Makes changes to motor vehicle dealers law to conform with Am. Sub. H.B.1 (Biennial Operating Budget).
· Establishes special effective dates for the bill's provisions.
Here is the record showing which Representative voted to support this important bill. The vote was 65 Yeas and 32 Nays.
|
Belcher, Blessing, Bolon, Book, Boyd, Carney, Celeste, Chandler, Combs, DeBose, DeGeeter, Derickson, Dodd, Domenick, Driehaus, Dyer, Evans, Fende, Foley, Garland, Garrison, Gerberry, Goyal, Hackett, Hagan, Harris, Harwood, Heard, Hollington, Hottinger, Jordan, Koziura, Lehner, Letson, Luckie, Lundy, Mallory, Mandel, McGregor, Moran, Murray, Newcomb, Oelslager, Okey, Otterman, Patten, Phillips, Pillich, Pryor, Sayre, Schneider, Skindell, Slenick, Snitcher, Stautberg, Stewart, Sykes, Szollosi, Ujvagi, Weddington, Williams B., Williams S., Winburn, Yuko, Buddish.
The list below are those who voted against this bill. They need a phone, fax, e-mail or write a letter to show you are a VOTER and will remember this the next time they want your vote to stay in office. Do it now!! You need to vote for those who support your issues and stand up for YOU! Remember these names the next time you vote! Adams J., Adams R., Amstutz, Bacon, Baker, Balderson, Batchelder, Beck, Blair, Boose, Bubp, Burke, Coley, Daniels, Gardner, Goodwin, Grossman, Hall, Hite, Huffman, Maag, Martin, McClain, Mecklenborg, Morgan, Ruhl, Sears, Stebelton, Uecker, Wachtmann, Wagner, Zehringer You can view the complete bill by going to www.ohio.gov, under State Government, click Legislative Branch, click Ohio House of Representatives, under the Legislation Tab click Find Legislation, in the pop-up window where it says Bill Number insert 186, click GO, click on HB 186, click any title on the left under HB 186. All AMHRO Officers are volunteers. Everything they do is done at their own expense. Your membership and donations will help AMHRO continue their work for you. |
To view the entire House voting on HB 186 go to www.ohiochannel.org., click on Ohio House of Representatives Video Archive, click Flash Video Feb. 24, under Legislative Events 2:07 PM click SB 186 to view and hear testimony of Foley, Sears, Coley, Patten and Skindell.
Convention News!! Save the dates!! The MHOAA 2010 Convention dates are Ocotober 22-23, 2010 and will be held in Phoenix, AZ More details will follow soon.
AMHRO encourages you to inspect your smoke alarm often to ensure is function. Why?
Every year in the United States, about 3,000 people die in all types of home fires.
Most of these deaths occurred in homes that didn’t have a working smoke alarm.
Functioning smoke alarms save lives and your life is important.
The Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign is part of the U.S. Fire Administration’s effort to reduce fire deaths and injuries across the nation by urging residents to install smoke alarms in their homes and inspect and maintain them on a regular basis. Working smoke alarms and sprinklers save lives.
A working smoke alarm can help you and your family escape a deadly home fire. It can also help save the lives of firefighters who would otherwise have to risk their lives by searching a burning home for residents. A working smoke alarm continuously scans the air for smoke, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It never sleeps. The USFA is encouraging you to practice fire safety and do your part to get out before firefighters have to come in.
AMHRO Officers
President Bill Geniella, 24 Birch Row Dr., Delaware, OH 43015
(614) 207-2800 bgeniell@columbus.rr.com
Vice-President Russ McPherson, 27202 Cook Rd. #138, Olmsted Twp., Ohio 44138 (440) 235-9279 r.pherson@sbcglobal.net
Secretary Lois McPherson, 27202 Cook Rd. #138, Olmsted Twp., Ohio 44138 (440) 235-9279 r.pherson@sbcglobal.net
Treasurer Kathleen Demitrus, 8974 Wood Thrush Drive, Streetsboro, Ohio 44241 (330) 626-5941 kdblarney@aol.com
Assistant Vice-President Jim Demitrus, 8974 Wood Thrush Drive, Streetsboro, Ohio 44241 (440) 465-8236 lacbobs@aol.com
Assistant Vice-President Brenda Kocevar, 7 Friendship, Olmsted Twp., Ohio 44138 (440) 235-9195 bmkocevar@yahoo.com
Pro Seniors Legal and Referral Service 800/488-6070
Recently H.B. 1 was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives by a 53 to 45 vote. For some reason the publication of this fact did not mention AMHRO or its officers. Please be assured that it was AMHRO that started the ball rolling. The education idea and the drafting of this legislation on education is a joint effort on behalf of AMHRO and OMHA.
· Jim Demitrus was appointed to serve on the Ohio Manufactured Home Commission (OMHC) by the governor. AMHRO Officers started to attend these monthly meetings.
· It was AMHRO who challenged the commission members to take their responsibility seriously against illegal installations and inspections.
· It was AMHRO who challenged the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) regarding certain issues in communities and the enforcement of rules and laws.
· It was the persistence of AMHRO contacting legislators, legal aide, and attorneys about the issues within communities.
· It was AMHRO being a listening ear to the residents about the action of the owners and talking with community owners.
· It was AMHRO who started the transfer of the jurisdiction of manufactured homes from the OHD to the OMHC.
· It was AMHRO who asked for the transfer of title of the home to be within 30 days of occupancy.
· It was AMHRO who wanted required training for all owner/operators of communities.
· It was AMHRO that objected to our homes to being titled as a "vehicle.”
· Without AMHRO there would not be a HB 1 as we know it today. Even though the name of AMHRO was not in the article, we, OMHA, OMHC, OHD and legislation know our efforts and accomplishments.
Rental Fee Survey We are taking a survey of Rental Fees in Ohio manufactured home communities only. We would greatly appreciate knowing what your monthly rent history was
from 2004 until the present time, plus any amenities. Amenities which were included in your monthly rent, such as water, sewer, cable, utilities, etc. We also would like to know the name and owner of your community, as well as the city where it is located. Also, please indicate if
it is a family community or if it is specifically an “over 55” community. This information can be submitted by using the Contact Form at the bottom of this page.
We hope to provide this information to HUD and legislators to tell the story of the never-ending escalating rents.
We look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your help.
Victory in Media
I wrote a lengthy e-mail to a local newscaster. I explained the many, many amenities and benefits of a manufactured home. The e-mail had definitions from Webster’s Dictionary, an invitation to visit my home and community, to a home owners meeting, to the Ohio Manufactured Home Commission Meeting, to the Ohio Manufactured Home Association, to a manufactured home company, to a lending institution and to an insurance company. My hope was to educate the media.
Here is part of his first reply to me.
For communicating with the general public, if it has wheels it’s a trailer. A “Manufactured home” is a much broader term that would include dwellings never intended to be pulled behind anything. The federal government may have decided all such dwellings will be called a “manufactured homes”, and that’s their business. Influencing what we call them is not their business, that’s ours.
We speak to the public in the terms we believe they use, understand and accept. To me, and most, the media resource center is still the library. News deals with what is.
We live in a time when interest groups put much effort into co-opting the language to suit their interest. For people who have the time or interest to read a lengthy thesis like yours, your term may have meaning and value. But we tell stories in 20 or 30 seconds. The term “manufactured home” is much broader than trailer…. In the limited time we have for telling a story we work hard to use the most precise and familiar language possible. Trailer.
February I sent the newscaster this e-mail: As I watched the 6:00PM news tonight you reported from somewhere that the strong winds did much damage on homes. You referred to a "manufactured home" rather than a "trailer." Thank you for recognizing these are "homes" rather then "trailers."
February 14, 2009 this came my way:
Glad to have caught up with the times, Russ. Had a long discussion with someone a few years back that “mobile homes” aren’t mobile these days, so “mobile home park” doesn’t cut it. “Manufactured homes” doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily as the former name, but IS accurate, and, besides, I’ve become tired of terms like “trailer park people” and “trailer park trash”, so, just trying to do my small part. Glad you caught it
I did not know it but one of our local Trustees has a husband who works for the same TV station. She forwarded our e-mails to her husband and he personally presented them to the newscaster and thanked him for a job well done.
Lesson learned: It pays to know your city officials for you don’t know who they know. Be courteous and persistent. You can help us make the necessary change!
AMHRO Vision
Membership
We need all residents to become members. Through numbers we become stronger and our voice now becomes a shout, not a whisper.
Legislation
We need laws to protect all, not just a few. We were able to have 2 pieces of legislation introduced (HB 290 & HB 309) but no new laws outlined in these bills have been passed as of this date. We are still working very hard on this process to make it happen.
Rule Compliance
Rules that govern our living in this type of housing are under the whims and ways of our county health department throughout the State of Ohio. They ignore the laws and/or they are unaware of the laws. No leadership or education has been offered to them.
Enforcement of Laws
This needs changed. We are working with OMHA in drafting a proposal to remove the jurisdiction from the Department of Health to another agency that will enforce these rules to protect us as residents from the park owners ignoring them. In some cases, they themselves have no knowledge of the law.
AMHRO Mission
To educate and advise residents of their responsibilities, rights and privileges associated with residing in a manufactured home community and how to inform residents how to protect the value and security of their home.
1. To assist residents in developing an organization within their own community association.
2. To promote health, safety and general welfare of each resident.
3. To be an organization that is willing to use all available resources to bring about change that will improve the lives of residents.
4. To serve as an avenue to channel information and to serve as a source to educate every resident about their rights as residents of manufactured home communities.
What is Intimidation? Are You Being Intimidated?
Intimidation plays a big role in the strategy of some community owners. But why do they do it? Here is the definition of "Intimidation."
1. To make timid; to fill with fear.2. To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats.
Intimidation implies the presence or operation of a fear-inspired force.
The synonyms are: brow beat, bull doze, bully, coercion, threatening, demoralizing.
These verbs mean to frighten into submission, compliance or acquiescence.
Intimidation is:
· Threatening to use power or control to get others to do what you want them to do.
· Using coercion or force to get what you want from others. Making others
feel like you are more powerful or forceful than what you really are.
· Wearing a mask of being ‘untouchable’ so that people keep an emotional distance from
you and yet do for you what you desire.
· Using verbal and non-verbal cues to let others know you are not going to
reward any unfaithfulness to what you desire them to do for you.
· Using verbal, physical, sexually or emotionally abusive behaviors to get
people to ‘stay in line.’
· Using physical size, statute and strength to get others to respect and obey
you.
· Using punishments such as seven-day notices or threats of eviction. Using quick temper,
anger or rage to get people to do what you want.
· Acting in such a way that no one would dare question or stand up to you over any of your decisions, opinions or directives.
· Using money, wealth or status to put others into their place so that your power over them is secured and not questioned.
· Keeping others loyal to you by threats of pulling back your support, love,
caring, interest or approval of them.
Using dictatorial, "Gestapo," or autocratic behaviors to get people to do what you want. The affects of intimidation of residents in manufactured home communities are obvious. Residents are afraid. They are afraid of making the manager upset, afraid of retaliation and ultimately afraid of being evicted. They don’t dare question what management says or does. They don’t dare "make waves." They try to live "under management’s radar." In essence, they submit to the will of management. The management’s goal is then realized. So what should residents do?
1. Don’t go it alone. Management wins as long as you go it alone.
Remember the saying “Divide and conquer”? That’s exactly the strategy
of management. As long as it’s one on one with management,
management always wins.
2. Knowledge is Power. Understand your rights. Understand management 's
reason for eviction. Know when you are being intimidated.
3. You are first a human being. We are all Americans.
4. Managers can’t take your power. You have to give it to them.
So, DON’T GIVE THEM YOUR POWER!
5. We will support you in your community. But the first thing to do is start
talking with your neighbors and friends. Form a small group. Meet in
someone’s home. Form a home-owners association. Take back your
community now!
used by permission from CoMo-CAL in California www comical.org
Who are Residents?
~Residents are the most important people in the entire management
business.
~Residents are not dependent on management. Management is dependent
on residents.
~Residents are not an interruption of the manager's work, but the purpose of
it.
~Residents do management a favor by choosing to live in their
community. Management isn't doing the residents a favor by allowing them
to live there.
~Residents go to the community manager with their problems. It's
the manager's job to do something about it.
~Residents deserve courteous service. Without residents, managers
would have vacant homes and there would be no money for their
paychecks. Managers should not forget this.
As published from Manufactured Homeowners Legislative Association of Michigan
do for you ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
