The Wisconsin Mfd Home Owners Association  encourages you NOT to BUY a manufactured home. The building process, both on-site and in the factories, is about cutting corners—using inferior quality sheathing, cutting boards too short to meet in the center of studs—problems that promote irregular air exchange within a house and which eventually produce growth of mold and excessive heating bills. 

Additional problems:  fraud, misdealing, false statement, improper assembly, illegally based seizure of homes, defective set up, worthless warranties, and suspect consumer protection.  

If you are unfortunate enough to get caught in this malignant Pandora's Box as an unsuspecting consumer, you will find yourself immersed in an endless war that will consume the rest of your life and your life's income. You will get no satisfaction from HUD or even some legislators and state agencies because many have been corrupted by the MH industry—they have been bought off with big money and the heady power of control over millions of victims.

PER AARP—3/4 of MH homeowners have significant problems with their homes.    According to an AARP Survey done recently, 75% of owners of manufactured housing (mobile homes) have had significant problems with their homes, and only 25 % of homes with problems were repaired successfully under warranties.  Look up AARP's web site at www.aarp.org click on confacts; then money; then mhousing.   Also check Consumer Reports and Public Policy at their website.

Members may buy the same volume discount that bookstores get on The Manufactured Home Buyer's Handbook by Wes Johnson, or 20% off.    One phone call and a FAX and you’re good to go.   If anyone thinks several people are interested, a volume of books can be purchased in advance, or WIMHOA members can buy direct from the publisher (through a toll-free number) and get the discount by identifying themselves as a WIMHOA Chapter member. Here’s the contact information:

1. McFarland and Company, Inc

2. http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/

3. Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640

4. 800-253-2187 (Order Line)

 See  < http://www.manufacturedhomebuyers.com/>  Click on the Amazon ad in the left column to get an Amazon VISA.   You then get $20 off your first order – whether it’s The Manufactured Home Buyer's Handbook or anything else. The customer also gets free shipping.  Order  from this website while supplies last : http://www.manufacturedhomebuyers.com/order%20information.htm. 

For any HADD, MHOA, or TAISMHO members, an autographed copy may be available for 10% off while supplies last.    This is author cost – author receives 20% off just like WIMHOA members, so these books will recoup only the cost for mailers and shipping ($3.50 each). 

Forewarning--ALL MHP LAW MOVED 

As of July 2000, all MHP matters and powers of intervention have been transferred to the Department of Commerce, so start with Commerce  www.commerce.state.wi.us .  Language formerly housed in the DOT, DOA, PSC, etc., has been incorporated under Commerce Safety and Buildings.  Commerce is basically a pro-business agency, so keep that in mind.     You may have to agitate to get action from them as well—by asking your own Senator or Representative to contact Commerce.     

Landlord-Tenant related issues are still handled by Consumer Protection in the Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP).   However, You may have to build a fire under this crew as well before getting any action--CONTACT your state legislator or 2 to intervene ASAP.  See the Legislative Links page for this information.

Demand a meeting with your park owner—state law gives us that much—but nothing more.  Get an attorney on board if possible first so the attorney can send a letter to your Park owner, notifying your park owner that a large group will refuse to pay rent increases without negotiation—or you will picket et al.  They do it in Florida and other states.  Homeowners' associations elsewhere have achieved statute language affording them the right to negotiations before any rent increases go into effect. Only increased operating expenses justify a rent increase.  Demand verification of the need.

 FIGHT BACK!

We residents pay and pay without  justification of need.  We can control the purse strings by promising rent withholding—BUT notify your park owner and your attorney that you will be withholding rent, and WHY.    We know too many park owners just collect rent without maintaining their property.    Let's stop being treated like mushrooms.  What other business do you know of where you pay increasing costs without any proof of need or improved value?

IT'S TIME WE REFUSED ARBITRARY RENT INCREASES. ORGANIZE A NEIGHBORHOOD REFUSAL by having an attorney notify your park owner about rent withholding with a deadline, or more effectively, notify the park through an attorney's letter that a majority of homeowners will escrow all rent  increases with a third party and picket the park until YOU get proof of need for more increases, i.e.,  improved maintenance and educated management.   Contact WIMHOA for the 2-page simple instructions on Starting Your Own Chapter.   <wimhoa@charter.net>