It is hard to say what is more surprising, that the Yucaipa Rent Review Commission approved a large rent increase for Yucaipa Village – a total increase of about $93.00 per month – or that the residents did not appeal. The residents of Yucaipa Village were represented by YMRA (the Yucaipa Village Mobilehome Residents Association), which has been led for years by Len Tyler. Len Tyler actually lives in Yucaipa Village, which makes it even more surprising YMRA did not appeal. Then again, Mr. Tyler was keenly aware of the results of prior appeals he has pursued on behalf of other parks. The appeals were denied or, if approved, reversed by the Courts, ultimately resulting in a larger rent increase to compensate the park owners for the cost of the appeal.
YMRA once again hired an attorney and accounting expert to represent the residents at the hearing, no doubt at substantial expense. It was to no avail. In fact, we convinced the Rent Review Commission to make rulings excluding from any consideration much of their expert’s opinions, as well as Mr. Tyler’s “expert” testimony. Some of the residents of Yucaipa may be wondering whether the contribution to YMRA is serving them well. In difficult economic times, it may be that the citizens of Yucaipa will start to wonder whether rent control serves them well.
The increase of $93.00 for 82 spaces translates to an increased annual net operating income for the Park of about $91,500, which equates to over 1.3 million added park value, assuming a 7 percent capitalization. Not a bad cost-benefit decision particularly since the park owner was allowed to recover the costs of the application. Yucaipa Village was represented throughout the hearing process by Mark Alpert of Hart, King & Coldren.
