Defendants Harmony Communities, Inc. and Mathew Davies' Answer to Complaint by Donna Braxton (amount over $25,000) filed by Davies, Matthew; Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation. One concern Thompson has is that Fresnos rent control ordinance has not been tested in courts. Trucking DocketPayment received by Donna Braxton in the amount of $435.00. In a statement to The Bee, company representatives denied many of the residents claims. City officials and residents at R.V. The company, however, maintains the law doesnt require them to provide Spanish-language documents. At a time when quality affordable housing is disappearing fast, it is our mission to expand options for economical and beautiful housing in the states and communities in which we operate. The residents attorney reported the sewage odor to the Central Valley Regional Water Board in June and July 2019. Why is this public record being published online? The management company also instituted 29 rules, which were described in the lawsuit as burdensome, unreasonable, oppressive, and unnecessary.. The impending closure, the. Online dating website eHarmony has settled a consumer protection lawsuit for misleading customers, and has paid out $1.28 million to four counties and one city in California. Harmony Communities spokesperson Heywood Jablom issued the following statement: Shady Lakes has completed close $1,000,000 in repairs and upgrades to the park over the last 4 years, including water and sewer systems upgrades as well as numerous road and lighting repairs. As of late January, developers filed 26 applications to build 8,642 new homes under California's three-decade-old builder's remedy provision, setting aside 1,795 of those as low-income units. In the deposition process, it came out that the rent increase is part of Harmony Communities business practice to bring the property up to market rates, said Thompson. This site only contains archived content. Almost four years after suing a Stockton-based investment company, residents of a Fresno County mobile home park have experienced a near-100% increase in rent. Jacqueline Arsivaud, chair of the Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council, argued that neither project will provide affordable housing. Thompson said residents buying the park would be a win-win. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to tens of thousands of low-income California residents annually. Mason said other tenants are more hesitant to speak out than she is, fearing retaliation in the form of even steeper rent hikes. DocketProof of Service of Summons as to Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation served on 11/16/2020 by Substituted Service. Action Type: Request for Dismissal; Judge: Waters, Robert T.. HearingHearing Type: Case Management Conference; Court Room: 11B; Result: Held; Judge: Robert T. Waters; Participant: Donna Braxton (Plaintiff); Participant: Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation (Defendant); Participant: Matthew Davies (Defendant). $0.00. This case was filed in Fresno County Superior Courts, Fresno County BF Sisk Courthouse located in Fresno, California. "There's special funding available from the federal government and other investors to lend to these communities so that residents can purchase their parks themselves," said Thompson. The Valiano and Harmony Grove Village South projects represent the worst of all worlds: freeways to sprawl that enrich the clever ones while the public and the planet bear the cost. var cbClass = custombox[0]; Some are buying less food, not using electricity, cutting services, shopping for clothes less often. Price and terms were agreed to but, again, they couldnt perform and ultimately backed out. Corporate Headquarters: With the legal action, the united rural communities of Harmony Grove, Elfin Forest and Eden Valley will question whether the projects were approved in violation of county and state fire code regulations. The city and the residents say otherwise. We believe in charging a fair market rent as well as providing subsidies to those in need. A $20 service fee was added at the beginning of 2021. Business Profile Harmony Communities, Inc. Property Management Contact Information 6653 Embarcadero Dr Ste C Stockton, CA 95219 Visit Website (209) 932-8747 Customer Complaints 1 complaints. Not only were they told, they were also given several bank statements which clearly showed a monthly payment to the **** The lender declined the loan. Judge: Ross, Roger. if(e.which === 123){ Further California law does not require the translation of documents to a language other than English.. The company was also involved in a controversial 2018 RV park rent hike in San Leandro, which does not have rent control. Our residents include retirees as well as hardworking families, and it is our honor to serve them by building and maintaining safe, affordable communities. Action Type: First Paper Unlimited Civil (amount over $25,000); Judge: Ross, Roger. George Antypas, Harmony Communities' regional manager, defended the rent increase, saying in a statement that median home prices in Golden are almost $800,000, while the average manufactured . I feel that since I was denied by the lender, I am entitled to a full refund. All rights reserved, Burnum MHP, Cobble Hill, British Columbia, Shawnigan Lake MHP, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Timberland MHP, Ladysmith, British Columbia, Foothills Mobile Home Park, Oroville, California, Village of North Oak, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Indian Trail North , Burtchville, Michigan, Hanwell Community, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Kellys Community, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Maritime Estates, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Nethervue Community, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Edgewood Grove Estates, Somerset, Pennsylvania, Mill Creek Estates, New Holland, Pennsylvania, Gaslite Manor MHC, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. That suit appealing the ordinance, applying to the park and rent increases on its units, was settled in 2005, when the owner agreed to dismiss the appeal. And a notice given to a resident at Shady Lakes in January shows that rent will rise to $628 starting this April, a 72 percent increase over the past few years. And a notice given to a resident at Shady. Cal Fire has designated the area a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and residents have expressed concerns that the only evacuation route is the two-lane Country Club Drive. The first hearings were supposed to begin this month, but both parties agreed to a six month-extension. Alberta Mustang Acres, Red Deer, Alberta Westwood Court, Innisfail, Alberta Arizona Phoenix North, Phoenix, Arizona Park of San Rafael are pushing back against a slate of rent hikes by the management. Payment received by Donna Braxton in the amount of $435.00. Retired She said the sewage system was malfunctioning for at least eight months, and the park was inundated with as smell of human sewage.. Use the search options below or click a state in the map below to view communities. Its discrimination against us, the 38-year-old father said in Spanish. Work was done to correct what was a terrible odor, but Thompson said many clients complain it still stinks from time to time. Shady Lakes said the company provides some of the most affordable housing in the area. Additionally, Harmony Communities allegedly didnt maintain the common areas at the mobile home park in good condition. But it only took four years under ownership of Shady Lakes LLC and managed by Harmony Communities both of which are owned by the same person to undergo the triple-digit increase in rent. The attorney, Mariah C. Thompson, works with California Rural Legal Assistance. Hearing regarding: Jury Trial Assignment (est 7-10 days), set for 07/25/2022 at 1:30 PM before Hon. Before the most recent increase it was at 72% bump. Grupo Comunitario De San Miguel Cuevas vs. Harmony Communities, Inc. Alliance Manufactured Homes, Inc. vs Madrone Estates, LLC et al. We understand that you contend that the tenant spaces in the park are occupied by recreational vehicles (RVs) rather than by mobile homes, and that the park is therefore exempt from San Rafaels Mobile Home Rent Stabilization ordinance, City Attorney Robert Epstein wrote. Judge: Ross, Roger. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. DocketHearing regarding: Jury Trial Assignment (est 7-10 days), set for 07/25/2022 at 1:30 PM before Hon. Many of them also received a seven-day notice to comply with several rules, including permanently removing Christmas lights hanging in front of the house and carport or face eviction, according to a copy of one of the notices. According to a release, the lawsuit is being filed to "protect public safety, defend the integrity of the County's . When someone does move, it is common they will sell the unit to the property owner. Judge: Ross, Roger. Company officials noted the $595 monthly rent is below market value for the area and includes no additional charges water, sewer and garbage services, which say are collectively worth about $100 per month. But it's a tough process. "I don't think we moved into a gated community where they can tell you exactly how you can have your yard," said resident Patricia Shawn. Roger Ross in Department 11B. In a Fresno County case two years ago, residents at the Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park filed a lawsuit alleging the company unfairly hiked rents and harassed tenants. They want to be together.. The eviction notices state that residents may lose their home if they are evicted. Natalie Hanson reports on breaking news, police and fire and criminal justice. Many of the 60 families at Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park near Chestnut and Lincoln avenues have lived there for well over a decade, drawn by the lower cost of living. DocketCase initiated. Robert T. Waters in Department 11B. Some residents believe the rental increases that occurred shortly after the complaint was filed were retaliatory. Corporate Headquarters: 838 West Hastings Street, Suite 300 | Vancouver, BC V6C 0A6 | 604-669-2663 The lawsuit was . Turnover is very low because moving is so expensive. Case Details Parties Documents Dockets Case Details Over the past two years, the . If you do not agree with these terms, then do not use our website and/or services. Our privacy policy is straight-forward: This website does not collect any personal information about you or any user. In late January, residents received another notice increasing their rent again, bring it up to $595, Thompson said. To receive the latest information about new communities, available properties and exciting changes to the communities we manage, send us an email by CLICKING HERE. INSANELY HORRIBLE COMPANY! Last summer, the mobile home park came under the authority of Fresno officials, instead of the state. Founded in 1966, CRLAs mission is to fight for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society. WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin, Copyright 2023 The Business Journal. The case status is Pending - Other Pending. Police said its unclear why he on tracks, Great Wolf Lodge backs out of agreement to build waterpark near Fresno. Residents paid $395 under the previous owners, less than a year ago. Marketing They are still facing rent. They are more stable.". Water bills range anywhere from $50 to $200, Thompson said. El Grupo Comunitario retained California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) to represent them in their legal case against Harmony Communities and filed a lawsuit against Harmony Communities in Fresno County Superior Court in December 2019. El Grupo Comunitario has stood up for the rights and dignity of the families in Shady Lakes and has refused to let a corporate out-of-town landlord bully them and force them out of their homes., Full complaint filed with Superior Court of California available at: https://tinyurl.com/shadylakes. Action Type: Summons - Civil; Judge: Ross, Roger. Case Management Statement filed by Davies, Matthew; Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation. Heres why, Federal judge issues new charges for Goshen massacre suspect in Operation Nightmare, Model agency pushed performers into prostitution and porn, California prosecutors say. Epsteins letter reminded the landlord the park is bound by that judgment. DocketAttorney, Sanjay Bansal, retained for Donna Braxton . Transmission and receipt of the information in this site is not intended to solicit or create, and does not create, any attorney-client relationship between CRLA, Inc. and any person or entity. We want justice for all of this, and we want things to get resolved, one resident told The Bee in Spanish. Thompson described the $200 monthly increase as brutal.. Government Do your own research and see all the red flags yourself. A witness saw him on the sidewalk earlier in the night. Notice of Case Assignment and Scheduling Information. Judge: Ross, Roger. Sports/Entertainment With the rise in the rent, there is worry that they may not be able to make rent.. Harmony Communities, Inc., (Harmony) a Stockton-based corporation that operates more than twenty mobile home parks throughout California and Oregon, took over Shady Lakes in April 2018. Media/Newspaper/TV/Radio The problem is buying it at a price that would allow residents to bring rent down. Education The City of San Rafael has not allowed the park to raise rents fast enough to keep up with inflation which is at an all-time high.. In a recent letter to residents, the company said the increases will bring the average monthly rent to $650. With 42 communities and over 10,000 sites across North America, we have what you're looking for! The park continues to operate at a loss and requires ongoing cash infusions by the owners to keep the park open. Many of the residents have received notices requesting their gates be left unlocked at all times, and have had personnel with the company enter their private property and take photos of everything around their house, Thompson said. The builder is not even trying to work with me to give me some of the money back.I feel this is an unfair business practice and I will continue to pursue my ******* money. "They are well regarded by the State Housing and Community Development Department," said Adams. Outside of the financial reasons keeping them there, most of the residents come from the same area in Oaxaca a state in southern Mexico. By continuing to use this website, you agree to UniCourts General Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Ultimately what happens is residents are responsible for upholding their own rights and seeking judicial adjudication of their rights, which is very difficult because mobile home residents are some of the most vulnerable populations, and do not have access to the legal system, normally, she said. She belittled my fiance and I because we look young and said how their error was a small problem in the world and that its not a big issue. "I thought it was a mobile home park.". Harmony says they are recreational vehicles and thus exempt from a city rent control ordinance covering mobile or manufactured homes. She's representing residents at The Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park in a lawsuit filed in 2020 against Harmony Communities that cites a 32 increase. She believes residents buying the park as a cooperative is the best solution. Public Records Policy. I noticed the model variation was wrong and voiced my concern. SKIP THE POP-UPS *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. Judge: Ross, Roger. The group of residents advocating for a cooperative is hoping the City of Fresno will support the idea before a judge later this month. Want access? Food/Restaurants The only good thing is they are willing to give us our money back to leave the contract. Through their lawsuit, El Grupo Comunitario seeks reasonable rents, better living conditions and security in the park, and a stop to the harassment, discrimination, and intimidation of residents. Many of Harmonys actions violate Californias laws protecting mobile home park residents and provide for thousands of dollars in penalties against bad actor park owners for each violation. Grove Town Council, argued that neither project will provide affordable housing done to correct was! 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