STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – A Sterling Heights manufactured home community has seen a near 85% increase in lot rent price since the current owners took over, according to resident records.
Those concerned residents reached out to Local 4 to get help.
Residents say they are currently paying $786 a month in lot rent.
That’s about $40 more than the monthly requirement last year.
People pay the amount to keep their homes that they own, sitting on a piece of land that they do not own.
“Forty-six years I’ve lived here,” Susanne DeRosa, a Rudgate Manor resident, said.
“I’ve lived in the community for 17 years,” Heather Gatlin, another Rudgate Manor resident, said.
“I’ve lived here 35 years,” Linda Grossman, an additional Rudgate Manor resident, said.
All three of them own their homes at Rudgate Manor.
“Tell me a little bit about what that payment covers for you all? Local 4 asked about the lot rent payment.
“It’s monthly,” Grossman said. “We pay for the land our house sits on; we can own the house, but we don’t own the land.”
They’re longtime community members, beyond retirement age, yet still battling rising bills.
Because of this relentless rise in rent, residents like 68-year-old Grossman and 78-year-old DeRosa are still setting alarms and still punching the clock.
“What are you doing for work?” Local 4 asked.
“I work at a laundromat two days a week, but I have to. I have to,” DeRosa said.
Even with the extra income, she has less than $100 left over each month when it’s all said and done.
She’s on a fixed income. When she moved in 46 years ago, the lot rent was $278.
She kept track of every single payment and the letters with notice of each increase.
For years, these letters told them the price was going up just a few bucks. But, in recent years, the price skyrocketed.
The first sharp increase occurred in 2012 and 2013, about the time residents say the current owner, Sun Communities, took over.
Local 4 went to Rudgate Manor’s office to try and get some answers, but were told they could not speak.
Residents have sent letter after letter asking for help.
“Please, if you can hear us,” one letter shown to Local 4 said.
“Our increase was $39,” Grossman said. “Let’s round it up to 40, make it simple. You’re talking $480 a year for someone on a fixed income.”
“I can’t enjoy my retirement,” DeRosa said. “Let’s put it that way, and I will probably be working until I am no longer here.”
Local 4 also reached out to Sun Communities on Monday morning through their online portal, but has not heard back.