An east Mesa mobile home park accused of targeting the elderly has been selling trailers without a license for the past two years and has a history of complaints and non-compliance, state records show.
The Arizona Housing Department sent Sunset Resort Mobile Home and RV Park a cease and desist letter in early June for selling homes without a license.
It’s the third cease and desist notice sent to the Sunset Resort’s management since late 2011, according to housing department’s 187-page file that documents actions and complaints filed against the park.
“They don’t play right, they don’t do things legally,” said resident Susan Laursen. “If I would have known that before coming here, I would not have moved in here.”
ABC15 has spoken to multiple residents who have accused Sunset Resort of selling mobile homes without a clean title and failing to provide them proper documentation of ownership.
After responding to a complaint filed on behalf of several Sunset Resort residents, the Attorney General’s Office also discovered Sunset Resort was operating without a proper license and documented that there are issues with dozens of titles at the park.
But investigators for the Attorney General’s Office declined to investigate further, saying the issues at the park appear to be more of incompetence than criminal behavior. Selling mobile homes is also misdemeanor offense, which Attorney General officials said is “outside the normal scope of criminal wrongdoing investigated by this office.”
“They are defrauding the elderly from their money,” said Jodee Fernandez, who bought a mobile home from the park in 2014.
Fernandez said she has “literally begged”for the title to her home. But Sunset Resort has failed to provide it.
After months of battling with management, Fernandez gave in and moved. Her family told ABC15 her trailer was too run down and not worth trying to fix if she can’t get official records to prove she owns it.
Fernandez is one of several residents who said they feel helpless.
Some told ABC15 that they feel their options for recourse are limited and weak.
The Arizona Housing Department only has jurisdiction over dealer licenses and “doesn’t regulate mobile home parks,” officials said.
Residents can take mobile home parks to court. But hiring a lawyer and legal fees are expensive – often costing more than they paid for their homes.
“You’re stuck and you don’t have the money to fight them,” Fernandez said.
For tips on what do before buying a mobile home, watch the video above.
Contact ABC15 Investigator Dave Biscobing at dbiscobing@abc15.com.
