Mobile Home Rules Could Impact Landlords | News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --  For decades Earl and Sue Allen have rented out mobile homes individually on their Northside property.

Last month, the Florida Department of Health inspected the property and told them they need to become a mobile home park.

"We could not believe it," said Sue Allen. 

Allen said the last time a mobile home was placed on the property was 1986, and they have complied with all state and county laws.

"We're torn apart by it. We don't know what to do," she said.

They're confused and frustrated and the bureaucracy is not helping.

The Florida Bureau of Mobile Homes told them they do not meet the standard for a park and the zoning department told them they're not zoned for a mobile home community.

"We don't understand who is right and who is wrong," said Allen.

And if they refuse to turn their property into a mobile home park they are subject to hefty fines. 

"We are fined $500 a day if we don't become a mobile home park," she said.

Jennifer Hirst with the Department of Health said there is no confusion: the law is clear.

"The department regulates the number of mobile homes on a piece of land, which cannot be more than four without it being regulated as a mobile home community park," said Hirst.

The Allens have five rentals on their five-acre property. 

"The Bureau of Mobile Homes regulates the number of lots that are being used to rent mobile homes and they must be ten or more," said Hirst.

"It has been in our family forty years. We just want to keep our five acres here and not sell any or if we have to tear up a mobile home we will have to do either one," said Allen.

To avoid the $500 a day fines or the cost of becoming a mobile home park, the Allens have decided to remove a mobile home but they said this should be a warning to all landlords.