BISMARCK, N.D. – Sen. Dick Dever, R-Bismarck, is asking Legislative Management, which handles the interim committee work for legislators, to consider a new study this interim over concerns about mobile home parks around the state being bought by capital investment firms.
Utah-based Havenpark Capital purchased two Bismarck parks- Colonial Estates and Holiday Park, in July. Dever wants to look at claims that companies here in the state and around the country are intimidating residents. Both of the parks bought in July are in Dever’s districts. Havenpark bought more parks in Fargo in August. He says he doesn’t want to impede on the free market, but people need to have some protections.
“I think that landlords that own the parks need to recognize that mobile homes aren’t as mobile as they used to be. People have a right to the quiet enjoyment of their homes and I think some of the things happening are a little bit onerous and a little bit over the top,” said Dever.