A. Rents for mobilehome residents may be increased automatically and only once in a calendar year by no more than the percentage change in the CPI, when the CPI is three percent or less, and 75 percent of that change in the CPI above three percent to be known as the “annual permissive” rent increase. The park owner or their agent shall use the CPI in effect at the time such notice of increase in rents is served on residents, as provided in the notice of current CPI mailed to each park owner or their agent by the City. Calculation of the one-year limitation on rent increases shall be from the date the last increase became effective for that particular space or mobilehome.

B. The City shall mail to each park owner or their agent the applicable CPI to be used for the rent increases as soon as the City receives the CPI from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI is published twice each year by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Park owners shall use the CPI furnished to them by the City as controlling the maximum potential rent increase without a need for a hearing, and may not deviate from the CPI until the park owner receives written notification from the City that the CPI has changed. The park owner shall post, in a prominent place, the notification from the City so that all residents are aware of the applicable CPI.

C. Should a mobilehome resident feel that a proposed rent increase is in violation of this chapter, the resident may provide written notice to the park owner of such rent dispute. Within 10 calendar days of the written notice, the park owner shall meet with the resident to discuss this dispute. This meeting shall be held at a mutually convenient time and place, preferably at the mobilehome park. Additionally, within 30 days of receiving written notice from the resident of a rent dispute, the park owner shall provide the resident with a written response addressing such dispute.

If the resident is unable to satisfactorily resolve such rent dispute, the resident may file with the City a complaint alleging the mobilehome park’s violation of the rent increase provisions of this chapter. Such complaint must include documentation or other information that provides compelling evidence of such violation and submitted within 14 days of receiving the park owner’s written response addressing the dispute. The City, at its sole discretion and after review of the complaint and supporting documentation, will determine the necessity to audit the rent for the affected space in order to verify compliance with this chapter.

Should the City determine that an audit is necessary, the City shall notify the park owner in writing of their determination, request written verification of the rent charged for the affected space for the last three years, and provide the park owner with a copy of the complaint. Within 14 days after delivery of said notice from the City, the park owner or their agent shall mail (U.S. Postal Mail Service, return receipt requested) to the City of Chula Vista, Attn: Mobilehomes, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910, written verification of the space rent charged for the affected space for the previous three years, such as copies of rent statements. Failure to provide the City with the requested space rent information or knowingly submitting incorrect information shall be considered a violation of this chapter. (Ord. 3255 § 1, 2013; Ord. 3195 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2862 § 1, 2002).