SB 97 Summary

• Repeals §7021 of Chapter 70, Title 25 of the Delaware Code in its entirety.

• Establishes new Subchapter III governing rental increases in manufactured home communities, requiring community owners to seek approval from the Governor's Advisory Council on Manufactured Housing before raising average rents above the Federal Consumer Price Index increase.

• Community owners must submit financial documentation to the Advisory Council demonstrating that operating and maintenance costs have risen more than the CPI; the Advisory Council schedules a hearing with at least three weeks advance notice to manufactured home residents.

• The Advisory Council issues findings within 30 days and determines an appropriate rent increase amount if the owner demonstrates sufficient cost increases; either party may appeal the decision to Superior Court within 30 days.

• Subjects community owners to civil fines of $10,000 to $25,000 per offense for raising average rents above the CPI without Advisory Council approval, with investigations conducted by the Department of Justice.