Resident Robert Sastasi urges Horry County action over rising rents on leased land

Robert Sastasi, a Conway Plantation resident, told Horry County Council during public input that longtime mobile‑home owners who lease the land beneath their homes are facing steep rent increases after a recent ownership change. "We are now up to $475 a month for rent on leased land that we do not own," Sastasi said, adding that new buyers face monthly land charges as high as $883, "That is $10,514 a year for land that we do not own."

Sastasi said Conway Plantation has about 300 residents and that the park was purchased by Carlisle Investment Groups, which he identified as a large company. He described multiple failed attempts to cap rents at the state level, referenced pending bills he said bear on notice and rent limits, and said residents have little ability to sell. When he asked for more time to speak, council staff and the clerk declined, citing rules; a county staff member told Sastasi the council lacks authority under current state law to impose rent control and suggested private legal review and talking privately after the meeting. "I don't know that there is anything that this governing body can do to help you because there is no rent control statute currently in the state," a staff member said.

The exchange concluded without a council directive. Council closed public input and continued with the meeting agenda. The commenter named several other parks (Ocean Landing, Beachwood at the Heritage, Lakeview Crossing) and provided numbers he said reflected current and proposed rents; the county did not announce any follow-up action during the meeting.