Park owners can increase lot rent per year, but there are rules to follow. In this article, we’ll explain how much lot rent can increase in Sarasota so you can evaluate your financial situation before making a purchase.
One of the biggest questions we get on a regular basis here at The Mobile Home Dealer from mobile home buyers who are new to the mobile home space is, “How much can the lot rent increase each year?”
Mobile homes on leased land in the state of Florida are viewed as and taxed as motor vehicles, as they have a title associated with the purchase and not a deed. The reason for this is that when a buyer purchases a mobile home on leased land, they are physically buying the home and not the land the home sits on. Each month, a fee must be paid to the mobile home park, which is referred to as lot rent.
What Is Lot Rent and What Does It Cover?
Lot rent is the payment made to the park each month for the usage of the land the home sits on. Many parks throughout the Sarasota area also include the home’s water, sewer, trash, lawn care, and access to park amenities within the lot rent bill that is collected each month.
Most new mobile home buyers view this not so much as a rental fee but more like a condo association due, as most mobile home parks provide a turn-key living experience where the only maintenance needed is inside the home. Much of the exterior upkeep on the property is already included in the monthly fee.
Since most lot rents include services such as landscaping, mowing, and general maintenance, it’s reasonable to expect that the lot rent will increase each year to keep up with inflation. The cost of groceries, fuel, and other essentials rises annually, so it’s normal for lot rent to increase slightly to reflect this trend.
Florida Lot Rent Increase Rules and Notification Period
In the state of Florida, it is required that if a mobile home park lot rent is to increase, the park owners must provide all residents with a 90-day notice of the increase. This is typically done through mailings directly to each resident’s home, stating what the new rent will be and why it’s increasing.
Most mobile home parks in the Sarasota area raise their lot rents annually around the start of the year, so residents can expect to receive this notification letter sometime in the mid to late fall if a rent increase is coming.
At The Mobile Home Dealer, we’ve observed that mobile home park lot rents typically increase around 2–3% each year to match national inflation rates. For example, if your lot rent is currently $600 per month, it would be reasonable to expect it to rise to about $620 next year.
Why Some Parks Increase Lot Rent Less Frequently
While many parks increase lot rent annually, some only adjust it every few years. This may happen when park owners fail to accurately track inflation and instead apply a larger increase one year, followed by little or no change in the next year to balance the average rate over time.
When considering buying a mobile home on leased land in Sarasota, it’s important to assess your current income and how it may change over time. Determine how long you plan to live in the home and whether you’ll be able to comfortably afford potential lot rent increases in the coming years.
Negotiations and Legal Limits on Lot Rent Increases
Unlike traditional home rentals, lot rents in mobile home parks are generally non-negotiable and apply to all homeowners within the community. However, park owners cannot increase lot rent arbitrarily—they must follow what is outlined in the park’s official prospectus.
That said, there’s no law preventing park owners and homeowners from mutually agreeing to rent increases based on factors not included in the prospectus. If both parties agree to the adjustment, it’s considered valid.
In Sarasota, Florida, mobile home park lot rent can increase by a maximum of 10% per year under county ordinances. Additionally, landlords must provide a 60-day written notice before any rent increase takes effect for it to be legally enforceable.
Understanding Lot Rent Increases Before You Buy
It’s always wise to understand why a park owner is increasing the lot rent and whether those reasons are listed in the prospectus. If not, try discussing the matter directly with the park owner for clarification.
This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer, and we help mobile home buyers and sellers get to a better place in life
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