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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/28/1988, 1 - FINAL REPORT OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY RENT STABILIZATION ORDINANCEDecember 23, 1987 San Luis Obispo City Council 990 Palm Street Post Office Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403 Re: MERM AGENDA DATE JAN Y��� 11 M RECEIVED JAN - 7 1988 OTT CLERK SAN WfS OWSRO CA Dear Council Members: Enclosed you will. find proposed revisions to the Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization Ordinance. The proposal is submitted by the Ad Hoc Committee on Rent Stabilization. You will recall that the former Mobile Home Rent Review Board made certain recommendations to you for revisions to the existing City Rent Stabilization Ordinance. You will also recall that during the course of deliberations on those recommendations, a proposal was made for negotiations between park owners and residents. The outcome of that proposal was a decision by you on June 16, 1987 to postpone further discussion of the Rent Review Board recommendations for a period of six months, during which time park owners and residents were to negotiate in good faith regarding mutually acceptable revisions to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Thereafter, park owners and residents were advised of your decision, and the Ad Hoc Committee on Rent Stabilization was formed for the described purpose. The Ad Hoc Committee has met on numerous occasions. There has been strong interest expressed by both residents and park owners. Although the resident participants do not necessarily formally represent the parks they reside in, and although all parks were not represented, all were given the opportunity to participate and the resident participation was representative. Likewise, while all park owners did not participate, all were given an opportunity, and the park owners that did participate are considered representative. The participants signing this letter constitute most of the active participants. Other participants were involved, some 1 -1 San Luis Obispo City Council December 23, 1987 Page 2 actively, some not. An attorney was involved in the drafting of the recommendations. However, no attorneys were involved in negotiations. The- agreed -upon recommendations are the result of significant compromises made by both residents and park owners. Both parties view the revised ordinance as a balanced and reasonable one. The enclosed document contains the-.language of the original Ordinance plus the proposed revisions. Note that the additions to the proposed ordinance are indicated by underscoring.. Deletions to the existing ordinance are.lined out. Following is a summary of the essential changes. 1. Section 5.44.020, regarding definitions has been changed in the following respects: (a) Paragraphs A and F have been changed to clarify the definition of "capital improvements." These provisions are amended to make them consistent with the automatic pass- through of expenses described below. The effect of these amendments is to allow for capital improvements mandated by government or required to maintain existing improvements without resident approval. Resident approval-is still required for new capital improvements not located in the park. (b) Paragraph G has been added to define "change of ownership." (c) Paragraph H has been added to define "hearing officer:" (d) Paragraph I has been added to define "appellate panel." (e) Paragraph J has been added to define "CPI" as the All Urban Consumers Los Angeles /Long Beach /Riverside Index. (f) Paragraph K has been added to define "Qualified Hearing officer." 2. Paragraph 5.44.030 Has been amended in the following respects: I -2 San Luis Obispo City Council December 23, 1987 Page 3 (a) Paragraph E has been amended to provide an exemption for leases of more than one year. The amendment clarifies that no increases shall be allowed during the term of the lease except as authorized under the lease itself. (b) Paragraph F has been added to provide an exemption where at least 66.67% of the spaces are governed by a lease. 3. Paragraph 5.44.060 regarding increases in base space rent without a hearing has been amended as follows: (a) Paragraph A has been amended to clarify that if a space is under a lease, then upon expiration of the lease, the base rent shall be no greater than the rent charged within the last month of the lease. Paragraph A also clarifies that where 66.67% of the spaces are governed by a lease, then the remaining spaces in the park shall have a rent no greater than the rent charged in the leases for comparable spaces. (b) Paragraph B regarding increases based on changes in the CPI has been changed to a sliding scale arrangement with a cap of 9 percent. One hundred percent of the CPI shall be allowed up to 5 percent, and 75 percent of the CPI shall be allowed thereafter. This shall be allowed up to nine percent. (c) The CPI provisions have also been changed to state that monthly the city finance director shall publish allowable percentage changes in the CPI. The provisions have also been amended to clarify that the limitations on CPI increases are intended to minimize the immediate impact such changes would have on residents, but that ultimately the limitations would not prevent the owner from receiving a fair return on his /her property. (d) space rent may be increased upon a change of ownership of the mobilehome up to 10 percent of existing space rent. The change shall be allowed only once in a 36 -month period. If subleasing becomes mandatory under state law, then upon subletting the increase may be allowed up to 10 percent of the then - existing space rent. The provision has also been 1 -3 San Luis Obispo City Council December 23, 1987 Page 4 clarified to state that an adjustment may occur if the mobilehome is moved from the premises. (e) Subparagraph B has been added to allow for an automatic pass - through of certain expenses such as common area utilities. 4. Paragraph 5.44.070 regarding increases following a hearing has been amended as follows: (a) The application process has been changed and clarified to provide that either residents or owners may submit an application for rent adjustment. Applications will be filed with the Clerk, and notices will be given to the other party. The opposing party is then given 30 days to file an objection to the application. If an objection is not filed, then the application would be granted. If an objection is filed, then the representatives designated by residents and owners shall meet and confer and negotiate in good faith. Either party may request a mediator of their choice, but this is not required. If an agreement cannot be reached within 60 days, then the City- Clerk shall be notified. The City Clerk shall then appoint a hearing officer to resolve the matter. 5. Paragraph 5.44.090 has been changed regarding the criteria that may be considered by the hearing officer. The hearing officer is required to use the MNOI formula, but to take into account adjustments to allow for inflation and adjustments to base rent if it is determined that base rent on March -15, 1982, did not provide the owner with a just and reasonable return on property. Also, in unusual circumstances, where the MNOI formula would not provide a reasonable measure, the hearing officer is given the discretion to use other formulas. 6. Paragraph 5.44.110 has been changed regarding an appeal from the decision of the hearing officer. In this case, if either party is dissatisfied with the decision reached by the hearing officer, then an appellate hearing may. be requested. Notice shall be given to the City Clerk and the Clerk shall identify seven qualified hearing officers. Owners and tenants may each delete one person from the list of qualified hearing officers and three persons shall be selected by the Clerk of the remaining qualified hearing officers on the list. The appellate panel shall determine whether or not a further hearing shall be 1 000 4 San Luis Obispo City Council December 23, 1987 Page 5 held or whether or not to ratify and adopt the decision of the officer. If a hearing is held, the appellate panel may modify or reverse the decision of the hearing officer if it finds that there has been an abuse of discretion or that there is no substantial evidence to support the hearing officer's decision. The Ad Hoc Committee requests that this matter be set on the earliest agenda for your consideration. The Ad Hoc Committee would request that you approve its recommendations for modification of the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance. In the meantime, members of the Ad Hoc Committee would be willing to meet with individual counsel members to provide further explanation of the proposed changes and /or the negotiating process. Very truly yours, THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON RENT STABILIZATION RESIDENTS: City Mobile es R / Laguna Lake Mobile Estatesw y,K,�j�r rivr � � ✓L��fj"/l � Ladd Day, Lag 'Lake Mobile Estates A. Bill Welch, La un lake- Mobile Estates ay Robbins, Village Mobilehome Park Dick M iller, Silver City Mobile Lodge 4 / F1 R 5�q Mylon Rayborn , Valley Vista Mobilehome Park 1 -S San Luis Obispo City Council December 23, 1987 Page 6 Ray Niemish, Creeksi de Mobilehome Par k..0j��/ Ayrt� M6nTglen, 9te6kside Mobilehome Park Fred Land, Mathews Mobilehome Park Pat Flemming, ManjPger Creeksi bilehome Park. C4. IPenderson, Owner Oceanaire Mobilehome Park es Long, Park ide Mobilehome Park Tina Constance, Manager . Silver City Mobilehome Park cc: ltr \counsel.ltr- ' ago- & RECEIVED JAN - 7 1988 OTT CLC4p SAN &.ua rmspa e. Chapter 5.44 December 23, 1987 MOBILE HOME PARK RENT STABILIZATION Sections: 5.44.010 Purpose and intent. 5.44.020 Definitions. 5.44.030 Exemptions. 5.44.040 (Repealed.) 5.44.050 City Council -- Powers and duties. 5.44.060 Base space rent -- Determination -- Allowable increases without hearing 5.44.070 Application for rent adjustment-- Fee -- Contents -- Notice of request -- Hearing. 5.44.080 Application for rent irereage adjustment - - Conduct of hearing. 5.44.090 Application for rent ineeee -e adjustment- - Evaluation-- Relevant factors. 5.44.100 Application for rent rrrerease adjustment- - Hearing-- Determination. 5.44.110 FRepee -1 red+ Application. for rent increase- - Hearing-- Appeal. 5.44.120 Rent increases not made in conformity with provisions -- Tenant's right to refuse to pay. 5.44.130 Actions brought to recover possession of mobile home space -- Retaliatory eviction grounds for denial. 5.44.140 Owner to provide tenants with copy of this chapter. 5.44.141 Amendment. 5.44.142 Severability. 5.44.010 Purpose and intent. A. There is presently within the city and the surrounding areas a shortage of spaces for the location of mobile homes. Because of this shortage, there is a very low vacancy rate, and rents have been for several years, and are presently, rising rapidly and causing concern among a substantial number of San Luis Obispo residents. I 'rl B. Mobile home tenants, forced by the lack of suitable alternative housing, have had to pay the rent increases and thereby suffer a further reduction in their standard of living. C. Because of the high cost and impracticability of moving mobile homes, the potential for damage resulting therefrom, the requirements relating to the installation of mobile homes, including permits, landscaping and site preparation, the lack of alternative homesites for mobile home residents, and• the substantial investment of mobile home owners in such.. homes, this council finds and declares it necessary to protect the owners and occupiers of mobile homes from unreasonable rent increases, while at the same time recognizing the need of park owners to receive a suitable profit on their property with rental income sufficient to cover increases in costs of repair, maintenance, insurance, utilities, employee services, additional .amenities, and other costs of operation, and to .receive a fair return on their property. D. This council finds that the present low vacancy rate and frequent rent increases are particularly hard upon and unfair to residents of mobile home parks within the city. Large numbers of these residents are senior citizens and others on fixed incomes• who installed their mobile homes in the city when the present inflationary rent increases could not reasonably have been foreseen. E. However, this council recognizes that a rent stabilization ordinance must be fair and equitable for all parties and must provide appropriate incentives for mobile home park operators to continue their parks profitably, as well as to attract additional investors for new parks. (Ord. 923 §1 (part), 1982: prior code §4800) 5.44.020 Definitions For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases used herein are defined as follows: A. "Capital improvements" means those improvements, not previously located in the mobile home nark that materially add to the value of the property and appreciably prolong its useful life or adapt it to new uses, and which may be amortized over the useful life of the improvement in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and regulations issued pursuant thereto; 2 provided, that this definition shall be limited to capital improvements either approved by more than fifty percent of the tenants in the affected park. -er- eenabinct�- to-- omi�l�- Kith - moire- �iree�ioa -e€ -�- aqerieY B. "Mobile home park" means an area of land which rents spaces for mobile home dwelling units. C. "Mobile home park owner" or "owner" means the owner, lessor, operator or manager of a mobile home park. D.. (Repealed) &D. "Mobile home tenant" or "tenant" means any person entitled to occupy a mobile home within a mobile home park pursuant to ownership of the mobile home or under a rental or lease agreement with the owner of the mobile home. gE. "Rehabilitation work" means any renovation or repair work completed on or in a mobile home park performed in order to comply with the direction or order of a public agency or public utility. or -to condition. or to repair damage resulting from fire, earthquake or other casualty. GF. "Space rent" means the consideration, including any security deposits, bonuses, benefits or gratuities, demanded or received in connection with the use and occupancy of a mobile home space in a mobile home park, or for housing services provided, but exclusive of any amount paid for the use of a mobile home dwelling unit. (Ord. 923 §1 (part), 1982: prior code §4801) . =tacaii_i. - m Zmwuutie DY 41rL pecuuest or devise ii i -9 knowledge of mediation process and rules of evidence. 5.44.030 Exemptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following tenancies in mobile home parks: A. Mobile home park spaces rented for nonresidential uses; B. Mobile home parks managed or operated by the United States Government, the state of California, or the county of San Luis Obispo; C. Tenancies which do not exceed an occupancy of twenty days and which do not contemplate an occupancy of more than twenty days. D. Tenancies for which any federal or state law or regulation specifically prohibits rent regulation; E. Tenancies covered by leases or contracts which provide for a tenancy of more than a year, but only for the duration of such lease or contract. Upon the expiration of or other termination of any such lease or contract, this chapter shall immediately be applicable to the tenancy. No rent increases other than that allowed under the provisions of the lease, shall be allowed during the duration of such a lease or contract. 4 k,ID PG. Mobile home parks which sell lots for factory - built or manufactured housing, or which provide condominium ownership of such lots, even if one or'more homes in the development are rented or leased out. (Ord. 923 §1 (part), 1982: prior code §4802) 5.44.040 (Repealed) 5.44.050 City Council -- Powers and duties. Within the limitations provided by law and in addition to any other powers and duties the Council has, the City Council shall have the following powers and duties: A. To meet from time to time as required to receive, investigate, hold hearings on, and pass upon the issues relating to mobile home park rent stabilization as set forth in this chapter; er- to- any-- e�cereages- err, - -ar ekaagee- fer,-- seraiees br -faekI ifiesr B. To direct staff to make or conduct such independent hearings or investigations as may be appropriate to obtain such information as is necessary for Council to carry out its duties; e----- eomple�iea- ef- r�s- kearrag- area- tavestigatierr9. BC. To adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind administrative rules, as it deems appropriate to effectuate the purposes and policies of this chapter. (Ord. 923 §1 (Part 1952: prior code §4804) 5.44.060 Base space rent- - Rete-n&kmetr-iro-a - -All owable increases without hearing. A. The "base space rent" for purposes of this chapter shall be the monthly space rent charged as of March 15, 1982 plus any increases otherwise allowed, pursuant to this Chapter. The maximum monthly space rent for any space under a lease. upon expiration of the leaser shall be no more than the rent charged in the last month of said lease. In parks where there is 'an rent designated in leases for comparable spaces. A schedule of current rents in the park shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the park. 5 I 8--- �lxeepb-- ag- eth�ri+i -ae- provided- sir �?.�•!�- , - -tke maximum -iftor -r-- apaee- Tese-l-r-- near- fDe­- tnerease& -im- mere thwt- eace-- a-- Year- -br' -the -3 *.&� -.&f- them- - tvo-- fef�e6r }ng ameatrtts- f-- -Eigkt pereeat- ef- tke- thza- exi- sttreg- space - rent -r �.--- an- - imereese -v! a the-- theSr- wtist -i *T -space -rertt egttal--to—h reoeR=- �aetiertty- five - the Sireatt-- 8 f- -haber Statrsties; - .-Fr.-- Nat ianaI- {onsumerr- mice-- Pndex-� fer -the- preeeding- trrepve- meatk� per r B. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the maximum monthly space rent may be increased no more than once a year based on the percentage change in the CPI, or 9 %, whichever is less, calculated as follows: of 5 percent (5 %) calculated as follows: CPI index. 2•.b. If the resulting quotient is less than 1.05, then it shall be multiplied by the space rent. The resulting product shall be the new space rent. product and 1.05 shall be multiplied by 75 B.2 above. The sum shall be the new space rent.. 4.d. The beginning CPI index shall be the index for the month used as the ending index for the last CPI adjustment. S.e. The ending CPI index shall be the index for the month twelve months after the beginning index. 6 -i2 recently published. 3. 2 --- fc�rfet iort- e f - the-- erne -pear - �3se itat3ess- �s�- -reata� frrereaxs- ae- praaictee�- ta- thi-s- seetiea - sira�� -lx -freae he date- tfre -- fact- ds�t�-- frrereaae -e-- effective -mot -tine parr- C. The maximum monthly space rent of a tenant may be increased by the owner when there is a chance of -Law, Lnen upon any such subletting then the space rent may be increased up to 10% of the then - existing space rent. In the event of change of ownership resulting D. No owner shall either (1) demand, accept or retain a rent of or from a tenant 'in excess of the maximum rent permitted by this chapter, or (2) effect a prohibited rent increase 'Dy a reduction of general park facilities and services. However, an owner may mnaifv reasunaoie reauction rrom tneir base space rent (Ord. 1079 §1, 1986; Ord. 1020 §1, 1984: Ord. 923 §1 (part), 1982: prior code §4805) Lweive -monLn perioa Tne quotient shall be allocated 7 to the space rent for each space in the park based on 5.44.070 Application for rent irrereame adjustment- -Fee -- Contents -- Notice of request -- Hearing. Prr- -An bwrrer-whe kas -beea- regtttred -to - m&ke- expenc�ibrrres er- bras-- irreetrre� ��.�4- ef- etteh- a�neeints -t�ret ��rr�� -be ttnab�e- �:o-- ma3ce --� -j ast- �c�- �eesorrebi�-- rehttrrr- esrr -hts preperby - -g ideas -- tire- stex- i�tttm-- ��*_- �►�--- pe- rari�� - -by Seetiorr- jr #4r969 ;-- May appfieatierr -f er- s- rerr�- ��r !�*°°-- tw��sre- br�nore•- spaees er -- app�ieati -err -- te-- rectttee, - --er - �irarge-- fer,--- eerta�n eerv4 4ee9- ot- -faeiI =ties; -41r- either- -eveftt-- vetevredr -be hereinafter -ass - J L app 14re ert4,o iV - er- Meppiieat-ien --swr• -rent irnerease:x adjustment ("application "). The application shall state the amount of the adjustment for each space affected and the reasons for the adjustment. 1. An application shall be accompanied by the payment of a fee as may be established from time to time by the council. containing the names and addresses of tenants representing no less than 51% of the spaces B -- Prtt- app�ieatiert- for -a- rent- rrrerease pttrattarrt- to -tkrs seetierr -gka�� 4. A statement shall accompany the application -be - aeeempaated -by - the- payreat- ef- a-fee -ef three - hundred- de��e�s ae- app�ieab�e, -- the- adclrese- of -the n�ebt�e home - parr, - -the gpaet- nt:tuber- ar- �rmbe�rf��rkr-ic�r�. -end ism- eq�eeted-te be- tnereasec�,- bke�ametrat -ef - the- reeprestee} - teat- �rrereage er-! �! �- or--£ aei £�tiee-- ree�tretiea- �- eiia�ges ; - -the prepexd- effeettve- date- of- -�xc�r = �y��,-- reckte•�io;r -er ekarge- acid- t£re- �� -��. - se�ppertfag- the- spgl�,eat��rr- -eke app�ieaat- 3ka��- predttee -at- the- requeet- of -the bearer -arry reeerds-- reeespte -- reports- eesr -:-�� r�=`�- that• -the beard-- mey- �ee� -�- £er-- the-- boarto-- ma3te --a determirrati err -whether -te- approve -the - appl- keatiea -- by secret ballot election. 8--- i�htt�trre�- s�re13 - �►s�+!��e[.�ir =� _%��s :_ :_ t, -- either perseaaI-Ir, - -br- br ; -- with-- ttetiee --ef -- the - -reat rnereax- er- etar�griTr- se�rices-br fa�rbi- ties- regtteated arr�- with -�► once- �he�- app�ieatiea- £er- ttptx�aae3- �f --aame i- a- beistq- �i3�- ir-ifi3r -tire - beard--- �zwof- bf- �c- kr -xrvi ee aha�f-- be- �i3ee�-- with -- the- �o�3 -- - with - -the 1 -0 1 �5 filing- of - the- �pp�- ice�iorrr -- 2eptee -vim �e- -app�i cation ekaff - �- e+ani34bie -- free --ef - �e�ge- -to- - n ny - -af f eebed tenants - re qae s t i ng- -same - � -the - b a n i n e n a- o%fi� -xsr -th e affeetec��ar}r. D. If an objection is filed within the time provided, within 60 days, then the tenant representatives shall agreement then the agreement shall be binding on the owner and all tenants affected. The City Clerk shall be notified that an agreement has been reached. The the City Clerk that an agreement has not been reached. as the hearing officer. Appointment of the hearing officer shall be completed no later than twenty -one days after filing of the notice that an agreement has not been reached. OF. The Goanei-+ hearing officer shall set a hearing on the application complying with the requirements of this section no less than ten days and no more than thirty days after his appointment. receipt -ef- the- epg}�entien arre�- preef- ef- xrriee The eemnei4 hearing officer shall notify the owner and tenants, in writing, of the time, place and date set for the hearing. No hearing or any part hereof may be continued beyond thirty days after 10 1"0110 the initial hearing date, without the applicant's consent. If the Ebtt"i-i hearing officer approves an application as requested or as modified, the same shall take effect as noticed by the owner or as the eettmei4 hearing officer may otherwise direct. (Ord. 1077 §21 1986; Ord. 923 §1 (part), 1982: prior code §4806) 5.44.080 Application for rent iaereaae adiustment -- Conduct of hearing. A. All review hearings conducted by the eettaei4 hearing officer shall be conducted in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, at Section 54950 et seq. of the California Government Code and according to the rules of the American Arbitration Association. B. All interested parties to a hearing may have assistance from an attorney or such other person as may be designated by the parties in presenting evidence or in setting forth by argument their position. All witnesses shall be sworn in and all testimony shall be under penalty of perjury. C. In the event that either the owner or the tenant(s) should fail to appear at the hearing at the specified time and place, the eettrv_ -A hearing officer may hear and review such evidence as may be presented and make such decisions as if all parties had been present. D. Appl-iearrt owner and affected tenants may offer any testimony, documents, written declarations or other relevant evidence. E. Formal rules of evidence shall not apply. F. Minutes shall be taken at all hearings. (Ord. 923 §1 (part), 1982: prior code §4807) 5.44.090 Application for rent. iaerease adjustment- - Evaluation-- Relevant factors. In evaluating the application the eew ei-i hearing officer may consider, along with all other factors it considers relevant, changes in costs to the owner attributable to increases or decreases in master land and /or facilities lease rent, utility rates, property taxes, insurance, advertising, variable mortgage interest rates, employee costs, normal repair and maintenance, and other considerations, including, but not limited to, rehabilitation work, capital 11 improvements, upgrading and addition of amenities or services, net operating income, and the level of rent necessary to permit a just and reasonable return on the owner's property. (Ord. 923 §1 (part), 1982: prior code § 4808) A. In annlyina the forecaoina factors, the hearing officer shall utilize the maintenance of net operating In the event operating expenses are not available for the period ending December 31, 1981, then expenses for a twelve -month period reasonably close to December 31. 1981 may be substituted. The difference shall be added to cross annual rent based on rental rates in effect on March 15, 1982. The sum shall be the allowable cross shall be adiusted as follows: space rent based on the space rent in effect on to the adjusted NOI. The sum shall be the inflation adiusted gross space rent. The allowable space rent shall be the greater of the space rent calculated using the MNOI formula and the space rent adiusted for inflation. 12 J,Jq provide a lust and reasonable return to the owner. his property. officer shall not consider a pro rata portion of the expenses of park operation attributable to the leased spaces. 5.44.100 Application for rent trrereax adjustment-- Hearing- - Determination. A. The eetrrte+ hearing officer shall make a final decision no later than twenty days after the conclusion of its hearing. The hearing officer's decision shall be based on the preponderance of the evidence submitted at the hearing. The decision shall be- based *on findings. All parties to the hearing shall be advised by mail of the Counsel's hearing officer's decision and findings. B. Pursuant to its findings, the Gerrrtei} hearing officer may: 1. Permit the requested rent- iaereage adjustment to become effective, in whole or in part; or 2. Deny the requested rertt- inerease adjustment; or 3. Permit or deny, in whole or in part, requested reductions of, or charges for, facilities or services. C. Any decision of the eettsei4 hearing officer shall be final unless, within fifteen days after mailing of the decision and findings the owner or any affected tenant appeals the decision. (Ord. 923 §1 (part), 1982; prior code §4809) D. The hearing officer's charges shall be paid by the City. 13 1'(9 x.44.110 fRepea3ecl} Apnlication for rent adjustment- - Appeal-- Hearing. appeal must be supported by at least 51 percent of the tenants affected by the appeal. D. If the party filing the appeal is unsuccessful, payment of the Appellate Panel's charges.. 14 I Jlp �o 5.44.120 Rent increases not made in conformity with provisions -- Tenant's right to refuse to pay. A tenant may refuse to pay made in conformity with this pay shall be a defense in any possession of a mobile home rent increase. (Ord. 923 §1 §4811) any increase in rent not chapter. Such refusal to action brought to recover space or to collect the (part), 1982: prior code 5.44.130 Actions brought to recover possession of mobile home space -- Retaliatory eviction grounds for denial. Notwithstanding Section 5.44.120, in any action brought to recover possession of a mobile home space, the court may consider as grounds for denial any violation of any provision of this chapter. Further, the determination that the action was brought in retaliation for the exercise of any rights conferred by this chapter shall be grounds for denial. (Ord. 923 §1 (part), 1982: prior code §4812) 5.44.140 Owner to provide tenants with copy of this chapter. Any tenant offered a lease or' contract which if accepted and fully executed would be exempt from the provisions of this chapter (Section 5.44.030E) shall at the time of the offer also be provided with a copy of this chapter. (Ord. 923 §1 (part), 1982: prior code §4813) 5.44.141 Amendment The provisions of this Chapter 5.44 may be amended by a majority vote of the City Counsel. 5.44.142 Severability ord \mobile.rin (12/23/87) 15 -21