Paula Stark, Republican representative for St. Cloud in the Florida House of Representatives, has introduced a bill to strengthen protections and clarify the rights of mobile home owners. She states: « This bill updates how lot rent increases are determined, improves transparency in billing and payments, and strengthens enforcement mechanisms. Mobile home owners are a critical part of our communities, and this bill helps ensure fairness and accountability in lot tenancies. »
Democratic Senator LaVon Bracy Davis of Ocoee has also introduced similar legislation aimed at clarifying what can be considered an unreasonable rent increase.
Stark’s bill goes further
For example, if a tenant can no longer pay their rent, they would have up to ten days (compared to five currently) to make the payment. In addition, the landlord could not require electronic payment and would have to accept payments by check.
If a rent increase is demanded, it would have to be justified by documents such as invoices or material facts proving that there has been an increase in costs and expenses for the landlord. Similarly, the rent would have to be reduced if a service or facility no longer works or is no longer available to the tenant.
If the owner of a mobile home park decides to convert the land to another use or sell it, the mobile home owner could receive compensation for moving expenses and $6,500 in compensation from the state, or even $11,500 for a mobile home on multi-sections. In such a scenario, if the mobile home owner prefers to abandon their home rather than move it, they would receive $5,000 in compensation from the state ($7,000 for multi-sections).
Another bill concerning mobile homes
At the same time, Democratic Senator Mack Bernard of West Palm Beach proposed a bill last November that would strengthen the requirements for mobile home owners. They would be required to have a registration sticker on their homes at all times. Each park would have to keep an up-to-date list of its owners, which could be forwarded to the authorities if necessary.
Each owner would be required to maintain their mobile home and lot in accordance with applicable codes, and their guests or tenants would have to comply with those same codes and regulations.
On the other hand, and this seems like a good initiative, the responsibility for any fines related to violations of local codes concerning the mobile home, but also the park as a whole, would no longer automatically fall on the shoulders of the homeowners. This paves the way for a fairer distribution between fines that concern a homeowner and their property, and those that concern the park owner, particularly with regard to infrastructure, services, equipment, or maintenance.
If these laws are passed during the current legislative session in Tallahassee, they would take effect on July 1, 2026.
