questions & answers

Question: I own my mobile home but rent the lot. I almost got evicted last month because I was two months behind in rent. I paid in full. I am disabled and working for minimum wage at a job that only has part time hours and I am on food stamps. I was unable to pay my rent and I am still a month behind. I have been served to be evicted for the price of one months rent. Are they legally allowed to do this for being one month behind? I will be able to pay the rent on the 31st. A new company has taken over this low rent trailer park and harassing everyone. Can they fine us for weeds on property?

Answer: A.R.S. 33-1476 is where you want to be looking for the first answer. A landlord may terminate your tenancy in the mobile home park for good cause, which includes non-payment of rent. In order to do so, the landlord must give written notice and give you seven days after the notice to pay the rent. If rent is not paid in that period of time, your tenancy may bet terminated. If he or she sues to evict you, you can reinstate the rental agreement by paying all the unpaid rent, reasonable attorneys' fees, and court costs. See A.R.S. 33.1476(E). You would not be permitted to remove your mobile home from the park unless you could demonstrate that you had paid all unpaid rent. As to weeds, a tenant of a mobile home park is required to maintain the mobile home space pursuant to A.R.S. 33-1451. The park can institute and enforce rules consistent with that statute. I think your best bet is to try to talk to the landlord to see if you can buy some time.