Exercise 12
Joe Josephs inherits a used doublewide mobile home from his mother, who was a resident of Rosey Mobile Home Park when she was alive. Joe wants to move right in. When Joe meets with the landlord, the landlord shows him the rental agreement, which requires Joe to pay rent of $400.00 per month, a security deposit of $600.00, a one-time “move-in” fee of $100.00, and a “transfer fee” of $100.00 for purchasing a mobile home from a resident within the park. Joe signs the agreement and moves in, but refuses to pay the move-in and transfer fees. The landlord sues to enforce the agreement.

How should the judge rule?

A. For Joe, because the Mobile Home Park Act does not allow “entry fees” as a condition of tenancy.

B. For the landlord, because Joe signed the agreement with the fees included.