Our Mission

We are Utah's only statewide advocacy association for manufactured homeowners in leased-land communities. Our members are manufactured homeowners in Utah. Over the last 10 years we have been dedicated to helping manufactured homeowners find solutions to the problems that exist in their communities.

Why UMHAG is Endorsing Dan Liljenquist

By Steve Anderson,UMHAG Past President

There have been many questions asked of us recently why we endorsed Dan Liljenquist over Orrin Hatch for the GOP nomination for the US Senate –particularly since his voting record hasn’t always been exactly favorable in the Utah State Senate.

Well,its about knowing where you’re best served at the federal policy level. Two of our major policy level actions at the federal that we have been seeking support from a ranking Republican in the Senate are (1) a bill that would eliminate the capital gains tax to a park owner who sells their community to the homeowners to form a resident owned community and (2) a homeowners bill of rights –similar to the measure that was passed by the Utah Legislature three years ago that guaranteed basic constitutional freedoms to all manufactured homeowners.

Senator Lee has already indicated his support for these measures. When we speak about this with Senator Hatch’s office –we are told that he isn’t interested. On the other hand,early on Dan Liljenquist stated that both items made sense and were good public policy.

Now,based on the above performance –who would you vote for? Three years ago,Dan Liljenquist joined his colleagues in their unanimous support of HB-388 by Jim Dunnigan,which provided basic constitutional freedoms for all manufactured homeowners.

Here’s another fact for you to consider. We’ve been to Senator Hatch’s office in Washington DC at least four times in the past eighteen months. Not once has he bothered to meet with us personally for at least a grip and grin photo.

Senator Hatch has always referred us to a staff member. On the other hand,Mike Lee met with us personally before the election and at least once afterwards. Dan Liljenquist invited us to dinner and spent time discussing our issues.

These things may not seem like much to many of you –but to those of us who have been fighting for these issues for years –having somebody take the time to listen and learn means a lot –especially after they’ve been elected when they still remember who you are and are still willing to visit with you.

So why are we endorsing Dan Liljenquist –because we believe he will keep his word and will follow through with his support of the two items that are high on our priority list at the national level.

There is No Property Right for Being a Jerk

During the hearing on HB63,the park owners claimed that we were taking away their property rights.  The only thing the bill contained was that if a majority of the homeowners had an issue that they wanted to discuss with the park owner,a committee from the homeowners association would meet with the park owner to resolve the issue.  The bill also worked two ways –of the park owners wanted to meet with the homeowners,the park owner could call a meeting with a committee from the homeowners association.

The only thing we found was that the park owners resolved to be jerks and not talk to the homeowners about anything.  There is nothing in the whole bundle of property rights that allows any property owner to be a jerk.  There are typically consequences when an individual acts like a jerk and they usually aren’t good ones –but it isn’t a property right.  What is interesting is that the Utah Legislature actually bought their story once again.

When are they going to realize that we are property owners who own the bulk of the investment within a manufactured home community.  And when the Federal Housing Finance Agency finally does what is was mandated to do under the Federal Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and open up the financial markets to manufactured homeowners –our portion of the investment in a manufactured home community will grow even larger.  The park owners portion will dwarf our investment by much more than it already does.

The funny thing is that the park owners don’t want you to know this.  They don’t want you to know this because if you knew –you would demand the justice you deserve.  When you finally realize you deserve justice,give us a call.  We’d be happy to help you get it!

Candidate Endorsements

With the upcoming precinct caucuses –we encourage all manufactured homeowners to support the political party of their choice and attend the caucuses on the caucus night.  We not only want you to participate,we want you to get involved and become a delegate to the county and state convention.  The Democratic caucuses are on March 13th and the Republican caucuses are on March 15th.

If we are going to have a voice in the future of our communities,we have to get involved with the process. Part of that is making sure we have candidates who are running for office who will support our agenda at the local,state and national levels.

That is why UMHAG is endorsing the following candidates:

US Senate

Republican:Dan Liljenquist
Democrat:We have not been approached by any candidates

Governor

We are making no endorsements at this time for the Governor’s race.

US Congress 2nd District

Republican:Dave Clark
Democrat:We have not been approached by any of the candidates

US Congress 4th District

Republican:Mia Love
Democrat:We have not been approached by any of the candidates

Salt Lake County Mayor

Republican:Mike Winder
Democrat:Ben McAdams

Serfdom of the Manufactured Home Owner

By

Ken Parker – President UMHAG

 

The more that I deal with issues between the Manufactured Home Owner and the Mobile Home Park Owners,the more that I realize that the imbalance of power centers around the issue of private property.  A building that is attached to the land is considered real-estate,and constitutes private property.  A building that sets upon stilts,or otherwise not attached to the land is considered personal property with no rights to the land upon which is stands.  Therefore,it seems that all arguments between two such owners stems around real-estate law with ownership of private property winning every argument.

As residents and owners of Manufactured Homes (personal property with no rights) and choosing to place our property upon someone else’s land (real property with rights) we have placed ourselves and property in a dictatorial situation.  So long as the classification of Manufactured Homes remains as personal property the upper hand will remain with the owners of real property.

Throughout history the land owner has always been king.  History has proven that the general population is only allowed to survive under a benevolent monarchy or dictatorial type of government.  The serfs are allowed to survive and are taxed to carry the financial burdens on the extravagant life styles of the ruling class.  In this case the owners of the Manufactured Home communities where we live.

Real-estate law allows the owner of private property to use the land for any purpose allowable under the rules imposed by local,state,and federal law.  The owner of that land is also taxed for the privately owned land.  It is obvious as we read the newspapers and watch TV that when any taxing agency seems to be a little short for money the solution is simply to raise taxes.  The question to be asked is who really pays these taxes.

The answer is simple. We do!  It seems to be a simple pattern for those in power,spend and tax,spend and tax.  As for the land owners of manufactured home communities,they just keep raising the rent to their “Captured Renters” because they have them in a “dictatorial situation”,and as the owners of private property they still hold the upper hand.  They don’t have a tax and spend dilemma – they tax and spend on their next frivolity – which is their right to a point.  When the infrastructure is crumbling away,rents keep rising,and nothing is done – there is something wrong with this picture.

Is there a solution to this ownership dilemma?  Not until the law makers are willing to change some of the law that have created the injustices between the land owners and homeowners in the manufactured home communities.  This is not just a State of Utah issue,but exists throughout the country. That is why we have to band together as owners of Manufactured Homes and not give up until we either own the property that our homes are sitting on,or have changes in the laws governing both parties that are fair and equitable to both sides of the argument.  We do not live in an apartment setting or condominium community.  The laws governing these settings simply DO NOT apply to manufactured home communities.

Therefore,as homeowners in this dictatorial situation we must band together and fight for the right to dialog with the park owners which was never covered in HB388 (in spite of the park owners contention that it was),press for the right to purchase to become a resident owned community,and change the rules governing land used for the sole purpose of collecting rent from owners of Manufactured Homes.

Buyer Beware:Do Your Due Diligence before Purchasing a Mobile or Manufactured Home in a Land-Lease Community in Utah!

Until the Utah Legislature steps up to provide real protections for seniors and working families,  I do not recommend signing a rental agreement unless you do your due diligence beforehand.   That includes asking for a five-year rent history,  interviewing other residents in the community,  asking who owns the park (corporates put you at a high risk),  reading the rules and rental contract very carefully,  and having the home you are purchasing inspected by a professional especially if it has been rehabbed by the landlord.

There is one community that has been dubbed by this organization as the worst community in the state.  Their state representative is well aware of the problem as is their state senator.  Both Curtis Oda and Jerry Stevenson have not lifted a finger to assist the homeowners in the Ridgewood Estates community in Layton –even though the park owner frequently violates state law and snubs his nose at the legal system in this state.

The corporate owners are not much better.  We hold in low esteem ARC (affectionately known as Always Raising Cash) and Kingsley Management Corporation for their “high handed”techniques.  It seems like we get more complaints from homeowners within these two groups of communities than anybody else in the state.  Instead of attempting to form Homeowner Associations and work out solutions to common issues,they issue edicts,change rules,and use strong arm tactics that are unconstitutional in any other situation involving a homeowner in this country.

Yet,they wonder why we are up in front of the legislature every year looking for some sort of relief.  Go figure!