After an ABC15 investigation, more residents of an east Valley mobile home park are coming forward and claiming that they were illegally sold trailers without titles.
Sunset Resort Mobile Home and RV Park also appear to be operating and selling homes without a proper state license, according to online state records.
The Arizona Department of Housing is now investigating.
“The Department is now reviewing the matter to determine whether any action is to be taken,” said spokesman Josh Tucker.
RELATED: Valley residents accuse mobile home park of withholding titles, improper sales
Sunset Resort is a community in Mesa for people who are 55 years and older.
Last week, ABC15 spoke to several residents who said Sunset Resort management has failed to provide titles to dozens of people who live in the park.
Several addition residents contacted by ABC15 are backing up the claim.
“I don’t have a title, I’ve been asking for that for three years,” said Jeff Grimes.
Experts said it’s illegal to sell a mobile home without a title.
A private investigator working for some of the residents found that in many cases Sunset Resort didn’t have the legal right to sell the homes because they didn’t have the title or own the units itself.
“(Residents) are concerned that at any given time the park is going to tell them to get up and leave and they will have zero recourse,” said Rob Eckert, a former special agent in the Attorney General’s Office and owner of Arizona Fraud Investigations and Consulting.
In person and on the phone, employees in Sunset Resort’s management office refused to answer questions about the titles and license concerns.
On the Arizona Department of Housing Department’s website, it said that Sunset Resort’s license to sell mobile homes Is “invalid” and lapsed two years ago.
ABC15 learned at least one resident and Eckert filed an official complaint for investigation with the Attorney General’s Office.
However, that complaint was turned down.
Amanda Fernandez, whose mother has been battling the park for her title for years, received a letter saying the Attorney General’s Office would not be initiating an investigation.
A spokesperson confirmed to ABC15 that was true.
Several residents were angry at the news.
“I don’t think that’s right,” said Allen Vantongeren, who’s gone three years without receiving a title.
Contact ABC15 Investigator Dave Biscobing at dbiscobing@abc15.com.
