Rent Increase

[onesentient]

I want to explain a weird situation I have here where I live. I live in a mobile park here in
Maine. A few months ago the park was having trouble with the water system. They
decided to hook the park up to town water. A notice was sent out stating that the rent
base would be going up to $300 per month. A few tenants in the park had brought a law
suit against the owners for unsafe conditions (water,sewer, etc.). In the meantime a new
manager had taken over.

Someone (I believe a tenant) had put up a copy of the Maine statute, Title 14, 6016,
pertaining to rent increase limitation ("rent increase may not be increased if the dwelling
unit is in violation of the warranty of Habitability"), on the bulletin board down by the mail
boxes. It was there in the morning, because I had read it, but it was gone in the afternoon,
which I believe that it pissed off the new manager. This was replaced with a notice from management. This notice stated, quote "To all tenants in this park: Please do not post
anything without written permission from management. If you are seen doing this, you will
be served an eviction notice. Thank you for understanding that you do not have the right to
post things around the park. You are renting the property that your trailer sits on; and for
that reason (a place to park your trailer)." unquote.

Someone had taken this notice down. The manager then put up a small note, behind
glass, stating, quote "Smile for the camera! (behind you!) and on tape!" unquote. She had
this little camera installed on a light post across from the mail boxes. The rumor it was
for security reasons, but I have my doubts. Now the manager has taken this note down,
I'm wondering if because I took my digital camera down and took pics of this note, lol. I
also took pics of her first notice she put up on the bulletin board.

Now in the past people have posted things on this board. But now all of a sudden noone
has the right to. I think this lady is a few bricks shy of a load, my personal opinion.

Now I could dig out the old rent lease and read it to see if it's listed that tenants aren't
allowed to post anything in the park, but it would probably do no good now. A new lease
is supposed to be sent out this week. I am definitely going to be reading EVERY word in
this new lease!!

Now do I have the right to strike through (once) anything in this new lease that I do not
agree with before I sign? Is it like any other contract? What's the worst that could happen
besides having to have a new lease drawn up if the manager doesn't agree also.

Thank you for listening!

[netwrkranger]

It will be tough for the simple fact that you are a tenant (slave) interacting with the landlord (master).

The worse that could happen is that the landlord will just refuse to do business with you.

Is the lease agreement a bilateral agreement or an adhesion contract? Are any of the terms up for negotiation or are the terms "as is"? (The answer to this question tells you the type of contract you are entering into easy enough.)

[netwrkranger]

You may want to hit the books of the state to see what statutes protect your rights as a renter.

[onesentient]

Thank You, will do!

[netwrkranger]

... I am of the thinking that the statutes only truly have effect when exercised in court. (It is wise to avoid court, if possible)

As with everything, research deeply.

Knowing how most contracts are deviously worded against your best interests, I am sure there are clauses in the lease agreement giving the landlord the right to make changes to the terms and conditions at anytime without consulting the other party. You will receive a notice (presentment) after the fact of such changes being implemented. Perhaps even a binding arbitration clause to prevent the signatory from escalating a disagreement to a court.

It would be interesting to see how the opposing party would react to an objection of those terms followed with a counteroffer.

[onesentient]

We have some issues here in the park that I live in about 'abandonment'. I searched the Maine statutes, but the statutes on abandonment have all been appealed. When I click on any of them, it just gives me a bunch of years, numbers, and the letter c. How can I view the whole statute? Does anyone have any idea. Or how would I go about looking up a 'landlord/tenant' rules? Any ideas?

Thank You!