JACKSON — The second reading and possible adoption of an ordinance regarding rent control for apartments and mobile homes will continue at the April 13 meeting of the Jackson Township Council.
The ordinance was the subject of discussion at the council’s meeting on Feb 23.
The proposed ordinance revises a vacancy de-control paragraph, which would now read: Under the voluntary, un-coerced vacation or court-ordered eviction of any tenant for which rent increases are controlled, and upon compliance with this section, at the time of rental of a unit, a landlord may negotiate a rental with the proposed new tenant at a level mutually agreeable between the landlord and the new tenant. The negotiated rent increase for the mobile home rental space shall not exceed 10 percent of the former base rent.
The ordinance change puts a cap on the amount a landlord can increase the rent of the unit for a new tenant.
“Prior to the last meeting, [a number of cited court cases] from several attorneys [representing the landlords] have been received regarding the rent issue for apartments and mobile home complexes,” Councilman Scott Martin said. “We have forwarded them to our township attorney, George Gilmore, and he will determine a ruling for that.”
“A significant legal issue has been raised by the council for the mobile home parks regarding rent control for apartments and mobile home parks,” said Gilmore, who suggested the council could hear public comments and could continue the issue at a future meeting.
During public comment, attorney Lori Greenberg, who represents several property owners, said she was instrumental in drafting the previous ordinance with council members and said that at that time a list of 15 significant changes was made.
“Tenants and residents were very involved in [those meetings],” she said. “There were 15 things [changes discussed at Rent Leveling Board meetings that were] given up in exchange for vacancy decontrol,” said Greenberg. “We worked very closely with the town. Experts from the state were brought to [that] meeting.”
Greenberg said residents of Jackson’s mobile home parks have been under rent control since 1985 with rents ranging from $279 to $600.
The attorney asked for the proposed ordinance to be tabled and possibly revised.
Martin said one reason why he supported vacancy de-control two years ago was to protect residents who live in mobile home parks from hardship increases, that if approved would significantly increase their rent.
“There was one situation in [a mobile home park] that saved the residents $56 a month rent increase because vacancy decontrol was there,” said Martin. “There were other [mobile home] parks that would have applied, but did not because vacancy de-control was there, also.”
Gilmore suggested holding a meeting to discuss the issue. The meeting would include landlords and affected residents.
Council President Mike Kafton agreed to that idea.
The ordinance was then carried to the council’s April 13 meeting.