SACO –– Saco may soon join other communities in capping rent increases at mobile home parks.
City Council is reviewing a proposal preventing landlords from raising rents more than once a year, and renters must get 90 days' notice.
The ordinance caps increases at either 5% or equal to the most recent Consumer Price Index annual percentage change, plus 1%, whichever is lower. The CPI tracks changes in the prices of goods and services nationwide.
The draft’s introductory language states: “Residents of those parks should expect to be protected from unnecessary, excessive cost increases because they may be put at risk of severe housing insecurity.”
“There’s only so much you can do, I think, in an ordinance like this, but I think it’s a positive step,” said Saco City Councilor Douglas Edwards at a June 6 meeting.
The proposal resembles other ordinances passed in communities throughout Maine. Arundel residents passed an ordinance with similar language at a June 10 town meeting, while Auburn and Sanford are looking at similar measures.
Saco City Council is expected to address the proposal at future meetings.
