Exercise 13
Mobile Home Park Act - Part II
Mabel is a new resident in Rosey Mobile Home Park. After living there for six months, Mabel receives a bill from the landlord for utilities. The bill has a flat rate of $500.00. According to the bill, it covers “all utilities and an administrative fee” for providing the utilities to the park’s residents. When Mabel asks the landlord for a breakdown of the charges and to see her meter readings, the landlord refuses. Mabel refuses to pay the bill and the landlord sues.
How should the judge rule?
- A. For the landlord, because the landlord is entitled to payment for the utilities already provided.
- Sorry, but that's not the correct answer. Please select another.
- B. For Mabel, because the landlord did not comply with the Mobile Home Park Act.
- The correct answer is B. The landlord did not comply with the Mobile Home Park Act, which requires the landlord to provide a monthly bill itemizing the charges for each utility service, the amount consumed by the resident and the cost per unit for each utility, and the amount of the administrative fee. Moreover, the Act requires the landlord to provide the resident “reasonable access” to records of meter readings, which the landlord did not do in this case. The judge could impose a civil penalty on the landlord of up to $500.00 for each of these violations, and/or apply other remedies within the court’s jurisdiction.