Pennsylvania House Passed Mobile Home Fee Legislation
State lawmakers approved a bipartisan bill aimed at regulating mobile home lot rental fee increases.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Apartments
Live Poll
Should local governments regulate lot rental fees for mobile home parks in your area?
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed legislation to address concerns regarding fluctuating lot rental fees for mobile home residents. The bill earned bipartisan support after sustained advocacy efforts from residents who say rising costs threaten those on fixed incomes.
Why it matters
Many residents report struggling to keep up with unpredictable rental fee hikes while living on fixed budgets. The legislation seeks to provide relief and stability for those living in mobile home communities across the state.
Residents like Patti Starvaggi, who has lived at Summit Heights Mobile Home Park since 2000, have spent the last two years collecting stories to justify reform. The push comes as many park owners operate from outside Pennsylvania.
The players
Bob Merski
He is a Pennsylvania State Representative who co-sponsored the legislation to regulate lot rental fees.
Patti Starvaggi
She is a long-term resident of Summit Heights Mobile Home Park who has advocated for legislative change.
Bob Besecker
He is the founder of the Manufactured Homes Coalition of Pennsylvania and a lead advocate for mobile home housing rights.
Dan Laughlin
He is a Pennsylvania State Senator who is working to coordinate discussions between park owners and residents.
The details
Advocates including Patti Starvaggi and Bob Besecker traveled to Harrisburg to present resident experiences to lawmakers. Representative Bob Merski co-sponsored the bill to address the financial strain placed on mobile home tenants by frequent fee fluctuations.
Timeline
Patti Starvaggi has lived at the mobile home park since 2000.
Residents spent the last two years collecting stories of financial struggle.
Management and committee chairs did not provide comment on Thursday.
Culture Shift
This legislation follows the pattern of state-level efforts to expand tenant protections within the broader regulatory framework governing mobile home communities. It reflects a growing societal focus on protecting vulnerable residents from housing instability.
Residents may see more predictable billing practices if the legislation is fully enacted into law. The proposed changes aim to reduce the financial uncertainty that currently affects long-term tenants living in mobile home parks.
The takeaway
Legislators are attempting to balance the interests of park owners with the financial realities faced by long-term residents. Understanding the specific provisions of the bill is essential for tenants who are currently managing fluctuating monthly housing costs.
Further reading
For more on the changing landscape of housing, see our Apartments section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Erie News Now - Your News Team.
Live Poll
Should local governments regulate lot rental fees for mobile home parks in your area?
