Committee passes Colorado bill that would cap mobile home rent increases – CBS Denver

DENVER (CBS4) — On Wednesday, the House Transportation and Local Government Committee considered and passed HB22-1287, which would implement Colorado’s first statewide rent price regulation. For mobile home residents, rent could only increase at the rate of inflation or 3% per year, whichever is greater.

The testimony lasted more than four hours, with heated discussions on both sides. Proponents say the bill will give residents a chance to stay housed.

“We are not asking for the moon, the sun and the stars; we’re asking for some predictability,” said Rosemary Zapor, current owner of a mobile home.

For Zapor, the invoice would provide relief from rising house prices. She is an elderly person and says those like her struggle to pay their rent each month.

“Personally, I’m 70 years old and I still work full time because you can’t survive on social security. I would know how much I will pay in rent. For many people, being able to afford medicine and health care is vital. Its a question of life or death. »

Mobile home owner Bonnie Sellers agrees. She is a member of the Federal Heights City Council and says many of her constituents would benefit in the future.

“It would be amazing because, for me, my rent has gone up in four years, $160. It increases every year. In addition, we have water, sewer, garbage. This would be a benefit for all seniors. At any time, they could be displaced due to the loss of a spouse or a job that they will not be able to pay rent. In Federal Heights we have low income single parent families and a lot of seniors.

However, HB 1287 imposes more regulations on park owners. That’s why naysayers like Tawny Peyton are pushing for more education about its long-term impact.

(credit: CBS)

“Education is one of the missing pieces right now. Think about the unintended consequences,” Peyton said.

She says the bill prevents landlords from successfully operating a mobile home park. “It creates so many challenges for housing providers.”

“Rent control is bad policy. We found it was not economically viable,” Peyton continued. “Developers and landlords are then limited on how much they can increase their rent, which does not allow them to plan for the future, whether it is infrastructure improvements or capital improvements, of adding new amenities or expanding their properties.This will actually lead to a reduction in affordable housing through new developments.