Kerrie Merrifield, a forensic certified public accountant and owner of Axiom Forensics in Los Angeles, said its hard to imagine even a 32% increase in rent the original increase after the acquisition. Plaintiffs counsel has a history of violating court orders and exhibiting unethical behavior. The lawsuit, filed Dec. 19 in Fresno County Superior Court, involves numerous residents at the mobile home park, only identified collectively as Grupo Comunitario De San Miguel Cuevas. San Miguel Cuevas is the town in Oaxaca where theyre originally from. DocketMinutes finalized for Case Management Conference held on 05/04/2021 08:30 AM . 2019-12-17. I noticed the model variation was wrong and voiced my concern. Online dating website eHarmony has settled a consumer protection lawsuit for misleading customers, and has paid out $1.28 million to four counties and one city in California. Several of the residents interviewed by The Bee said they have been threatened with eviction notices. Roger Ross in Department 11B. The dispute hinges on what kind of homes are there. Media Contact:Mariah C. Thompson, AttorneyCalifornia Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.mthompson@crla.org(559)441-8721, FRESNO COUNTY MOBILE HOME PARK RESIDENTS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST PREDATORY CORPORATE OWNERSCase highlights laws protecting mobile home park residents access to affordable housing, Fresno County, California- A group of mobile home park residents in Fresno County have filed a lawsuit to stop the ongoing predatory and inequitable actions of an out-of-town corporation that recently purchased their mobile home park. Its discrimination against us, the 38-year-old father said in Spanish. At the time the lawsuit was filed, shortly after Harmony Communities had purchased the property, rent had increased 32%. She recently received the 2018 Journalistic Integrity award from the CACJ. Since most residents own their own homes, costs are largely fixed for property owners, Merrifield said. 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Action Type: Civil Case Cover Sheet; Judge: Ross, Roger. Finally, one place to get all the court documents we need. The two General Plan amendment projects approved by the board of supervisors last month represent a total of 779 new housing units in Harmony Grove and Eden Valley, south of Escondido. Hearing regarding: Case Management Conference , set for 05/04/2021 at 8:30 AM before Hon. When someone does move, it is common they will sell the unit to the property owner. Our privacy policy is straight-forward: This website does not collect any personal information about you or any user. A complaint was filed with the California Public Utilities Commission that the increases were not in line with actual costs. According to a release, the lawsuit is being filed to protect public safety, defend the integrity of the Countys General Plan and demand supervisors get serious about affordable housing.. We would happily engage with a non profit who was able to perform and transact at a similar price point.. While the management has already increased rent for 2021, any further rent increases must be approved through the hearing process provided for in San Rafael Municipal Code.. $0.00. "I don't think we moved into a gated community where they can tell you exactly how you can have your yard," said resident Patricia Shawn. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. Harmony Communities, Inc., (Harmony) a Stockton-based corporation that operates more than twenty mobile home parks throughout California and Oregon, took over Shady Lakes in April 2018. Subscribe now & save $20 OFF. I was fully approved for the loan at which time the lender requested $5000.00 ******* money which went to the builder. Why is this public record being published online? The Central Valley Regional Water Board inspected the park and issued a notice of violation for public nuisance due to the odor. DocketAttorney, Sanjay Bansal, retained for Donna Braxton . Action Type: Summons - Civil; Judge: Ross, Roger. There are 14 claims on the complaint, including accusations of retaliation against members of the community association and to maintain a water treatment system on the premises. Many of the residents have received notices requesting their gates be left unlocked at all times, and have had personnel with the company enter their private property and take photos of everything around their house, Thompson said. If you are able to, please support the Rancho Santa Fe Review today. Payment received by Donna Braxton in the amount of $435.00. Epstein said the ordinance does cover the neighborhood and the proposed increase in rents violates the provisions of that ordinance., Epstein cited previous litigation involving the property and the city. Rancho Santa Fe resident Laurel Lemarie, a member of the San Dieguito Planning Group that recommended denial of both projects, presented a petition of 923 signatures opposed to the county allowing a high density of homes where rural or semi-rural zoning now exists. Under terms of the lawsuit, residents would at most compel ownership to better maintain the property they acquired in 2019 as well as get them to undo what they say is retaliation against the lawsuit. The company, however, maintains the law doesnt require them to provide Spanish-language documents. CRLA, Inc. is not responsible for any third-party content that may be accessed through this site. The case status is Pending - Other Pending. The suit names as defendants Shady Lakes LLC, KMLM Investors LCC and Harmony Communities, Inc. Shady Lakes LLC and KMLM Investors LCC bought the Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park in Fresno in April 2019, and Harmony Communities, Inc., operates and manages the mobile home park, according to the lawsuit. Roger Ross in Department 11B. 2021-10-22, Butte County Superior Courts | Labor | In San Rafael in 2022, Harmony Communities sent notices to residents that they were closing the park. We do not want to displace a single person with this rent increase and merely desire for the owner to make a reasonable profit and be able to provide safe and affordable housing for all of you.. Cancellation and Refund Policy, Privacy Policy, and By continuing to use this website, you agree to UniCourts General Disclaimer, Terms of Service, There is no way to reverse the rent, said Thompson. We believe in charging a fair market rent as well as providing subsidies to those in need. Visit CRLA.org for all our latest news & information. Mark Adams is the court-appointed receiver at Trails End and insists that Harmony Communities was picked for a reason. Those notices, the company said, include statutorily required language, but they are not eviction notices. But some residents want to put a stop to it. West. And in a. They didn't even spend 2 seconds trying to keep us as customers. In total the supervisors are expected to hear seven GPAs by the end of this year, including Newland Sierra, a 2,135-unit development in Twin Oaks Valley north of Escondido and possibly the 1,746-unit Lilac Hills Ranch project in Valley Center. Repairs and maintenance are usually baked into budgets. Lawsuits are now being filed on behalf of Elmiron patients who suffered permanent retinal injuries and seek to recover money for physical and mental anguish, medical expenses and more. She admitted fault of the company and offered us a washer and dryer for the mistake.. a washer and dryer for compensation of a completely wrong house. $100.00. "They are well regarded by the State Housing and Community Development Department," said Adams. Corporate Headquarters: 838 West Hastings Street, Suite 300 | Vancouver, BC V6C 0A6 | 604-669-2663 DocketProof of Service of Summons as to Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation served on 11/16/2020 by Substituted Service. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Ms. Jaymie Buchholz, Customer Service Specialist, Ms. Jan Scarborough, Marketing Coordinator. 838 West Hastings Street, Suite 300 | Vancouver, BC V6C 0A6 | 604-669-2663. The city applied to put the property into a receivership, meaning a third party took control from the current owners. Action Type: Complaint Unlimited Civil (over $25,000); Judge: Ross, Roger. Unfortunately, the non-profit (who was in escrow for 1 year), was not able to secure any types of funding or even put the $1000 earnest money deposit into escrow for the entire year. I went back to Anita and she only wanted to argue that I was at fault and she did nothing wrong. The attorney, Mariah C. Thompson, works with California Rural Legal Assistance. The management company also instituted 29 rules, which were described in the lawsuit as burdensome, unreasonable, oppressive, and unnecessary.. Harmony says they are recreational vehicles and thus exempt from a city rent control ordinance covering mobile or manufactured homes. Step inside Tioga-Sequoia in Merced, Fresno County initiates legal action against two Fresno politicians. As the roofing started going up I knew 100% they were building the wrong home. Thompson described the $200 monthly increase as brutal.. As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Proof of Service of Summons as to Matthew Davies served on 12/02/2020 by Substituted Service. I even have proof that she accidentally admitted fault and said she printed wrong brochure but seems like she did not realize that that's the brochure she circled & put into our contract that states which house we are getting. A 51-year-old resident said he fears he wont be able to afford the new price. There are programs that help mobile home residents secure financing. She's representing residents at The Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park in a lawsuit filed in 2020 against Harmony Communities that cites a 32 increase. The rent increase from 3 years ago was larger than normal, in order to bring the rents closer in line with market rents, and allow the park to continue operations. Last summer, the mobile home park came under the authority of Fresno officials, instead of the state. They are still facing rent. Yesenia Amaro covers immigration and diverse communities for The Fresno Bee. DocketNotice of Case Assignment and Scheduling Information. Additionally, Harmony Communities allegedly didnt maintain the common areas at the mobile home park in good condition. Thompson was told via email that because of the lawsuit, they wouldnt send notices in Spanish. What will change? The projects faced opposition from neighboring residents due to the fire risk of adding more density in a high fire hazard severity zone as well as exceeding the number of homes allowed in the General Plan. Heres why, Federal judge issues new charges for Goshen massacre suspect in Operation Nightmare, Model agency pushed performers into prostitution and porn, California prosecutors say. $(window).load( function() { These are very community-minded folks, Thompson said. If you do not agree with these terms, then do not use our website and/or services. A complaint was filed with the California Public Utilities Commission that the increases were not in line with actual costs. Non-Profit Agriculture Park of San Rafael are pushing back against a slate of rent hikes by the management. Action Type: Summons - Civil; Judge: Ross, Roger. Use the search options below or click a state in the map below to view communities. $(document).keydown(function(e){ Water bills range anywhere from $50 to $200, Thompson said. We want justice for all of this, and we want things to get resolved, one resident told The Bee in Spanish. Currently the park is losing money on an ongoing basis. It is not a recreational vehicle park, subject to a different statutory scheme, he wrote. Corporate Headquarters: 838 West Hastings Street, Suite 300 | Vancouver, BC V6C 0A6 | 604-669-2663 BBB is here to help. El Grupo Comunitario retained California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) to represent them in their legal case against Harmony Communities and filed a lawsuit against Harmony Communities in Fresno County Superior Court in December 2019. Before the most recent increase it was at 72% bump. And the best part of all, documents in their CrowdSourced Library are FREE. The Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council has initiated litigation against the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for its approval of the Harmony Grove Village South and Valiano housing projects. Property Management Epsteins letter reminded the landlord the park is bound by that judgment. Attorneys representing them on that are working hard with, you know, community partners and the County of Fresno to try and obtain funding to help residents purchase the park in a way that can bring the rent down, Thompson said. BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met. Shady Lakes LLC purchased the property for $3.1 million, according to documents filed with the Fresno County Recorders Office. Judge: Ross, Roger. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. DocketPayment received by Donna Braxton in the amount of $435.00. 2011 - CRLA Web design: LaserCom Design, San Francisco Photos by David Bacon & CRLA archives, ABOUT USMission & VisionBoard of DirectorsVictories Jobs & IntershipsVideosContact Us 2017 - CRLAWeb design: LaserCom Design, San FranciscoPhotos by David Bacon & CRLA archives, SUPPORT USDonateEventsCy Pres AwardProBono AssistanceFoundation & GrantsVolunteer, RESOURCESCOVID-19En EspaolCRLA NewsPress ReleasesPublicationsMedia, Visit CRLA.org for all our latest news & information, Visite CRLA.org para conocer nuestras ltimas noticias e informacin. Hearing Type: Jury Trial; Court Room: 11B; Result: Vacated; Judge: Robert T. Waters; Participant: Donna Braxton (Plaintiff); Participant: Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation (Defendant); Participant: Matthew Davies (Defendant), Hearing Type: Mandatory Settlement Conference; Court Room: 11B; Result: Vacated; Judge: Robert T. 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