Name: Florida lawmakers propose new protections for mobile home residents
Uploaded: 2026-01-13T05:17:51.714Z
Duration: 2 min 43 s
Description: Millions of people living in mobile homes in Florida could soon see more protection under state law.

Millions of people living in mobile homes in Florida could soon see more protection under state law.

Florida

Florida lawmakers have introduced two bills designed to enhance protections for residents of mobile home parks, following increased attention to affordability and maintenance issues after recent hurricanes. House Bill 703, sponsored by Representative Paula Stark, would update state law to require greater transparency from park owners, expand state oversight, and improve dispute resolution processes.

A companion bill in the state Senate, proposed by Senator LeVon Bracey Davis, would provide additional rental assistance and require park owners to accept checks as payment. The legislation responds to concerns about sudden rent increases and displacement, with supporters emphasizing the nonpartisan nature of the issue and the need for stability among mobile home residents.

Florida lawmakers propose new protections for mobile home residents

Well, millions of people living in mobile homes in Florida could be getting more protection under state law. Tampa Bay 28 reporter Eric Waxler has been listening to frustrated residents of mobile home parks following those back to back hurricanes, Saline and Milton. The storm seemed to spotlight ongoing issues when it comes to affordability, park rules and overall maintenance. And tonight, Eric is following through with the very latest move that could help. With the exception, there are now two proposed bills that could go a long way in protecting the many florida residents who live in mobile homes. House Bill 703 would update florida law, adding new requirements for park owners and expanding oversight by the state. I talked with Representative Paula Stark of ST Cloud. She's on her drive to Tallahassee for the legislative session that starts tomorrow. She's sponsoring this bill and another one that would give rental assistance to mobile home residents who fall behind. We've been spending years talking about affordable housing, but we've not addressed this piece of the affordable housing. Bill 703 focuses on transparency, enforcement and how disputes between residents and park owners are handled. There's also a companion bill in the state Senate proposed by state Senator LeVon Bracey Davis of a Coey Stark tells me she's seen too many people lose their homes because of sudden rent hikes and displacement. We're trying to, you know, level the playing field a little bit, put some pieces in place so that they can stay, stay put, stay where they are. Last week, I talked with this group of Clearwater mobile home residents who have been fighting for more oversight. They told me they started to get more attention after our coverage following the 2024 hurricanes. You effectively opened doors for us that the legislators that saw the reporting met with us and made a point of saying, Yeah, I saw it. Michael Dede told me House Bill 703 would require full disclosure on changes in rent and other fees. You can't just come in and say, Oh, well, we'd like a 5% increase. You have to actually document what, what costs increased and have the proof behind it. The Senate bill would also give residents more time to pay rent after receiving notice and require park owners to accept checks as a form of payment. The people that are listening to us and those representatives that are there, we just, they're amazing. We will vote for them again. Representative Stark tells me this issue is nonpartisan and that everyone should get behind it. I'm Eric Waxler, Tampa Bay 28. And Eric has worked for years to highlight the troubles people across Tampa Bay have had with companies that run their mobile home park. Just scan that QR code on your screen to get in touch with Eric directly. He's covered everything from fighting eviction notices to fines to clean up after hurricanes.

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