Carson board approves capital-improvement rent increase for Carson Gardens Trailer Lodge

The City of Carson Mobile Home Park Rental Review Board on July 9 approved a capital improvement rent increase for Carson Gardens Trailer Lodge that will recover $240,420 in claimed capital expenses by amortizing the cost over 15 years and offering a one-time principal-only buyout option for residents.

Staff recommended the board grant a capital improvement rent increase that would amount to $23.22 per space per month (a 4.21% to 4.55% increase) amortized over 15 years for all 97 rent-controlled spaces. Staff said the total claimed expenses included $213,760 for street replacement and $12,205 for replacement of two concrete flow lines, and that staff had included the city's $14,455 application fee in its calculations to arrive at a $240,420 total.

Staff adviser Dominique Clark told the board that the applicant's submitted calculation excluded interest and the application fee, and that staff applied the ordinance's required interest rate of 7.67% when preparing the board recommendation. Clark also described the board's standard practice to offer residents a one-time principal-only payment option; staff calculated that option at $2,478.58 per space (total…