Supporters of a mobile home rent bill are hoping for a more positive outcome from House lawmakers this year.
On Thursday, the Senate passed the proposal that would tie rent hikes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) average over the last three years.
Mobile home community managers could raise the rates even further, should they meet one of the listed criteria. They would also have to notify state authorities.
The measure passed with little opposition, except for Senator Colin Bonini (R-Dover South). He says he’s concerned that tying rates to the CPI could lead to significant increases in rent.
“Significant inflation is coming, whether it’s this year, next year, two or three years from now, four years, five from now,” he said. “We have too many dollars chasing fewer products. Inflation happens; it’s just got to happen.”
Backers of the bill argue mobile-home owners are already subject to large rent hikes without any oversight.
The bill now heads to the House, where a similar measure failed last year.