What Would You Call This?

Yes, having to turn the property over to the landlord isn't right. It's also not right that the renters never got an increase in rent in all those years. The two months of raising the rent by $100 is probably less of an increase than if the rent was raised each year with a new lease drawn up, or even with just a rental agreement on a month to month basis. I would rather see a yearly increase in rent than a $100 increase all at once. I don't think having renters not paying is an excuse to raise you're rent. That should have nothing to sod with the folks who are faithfully paying their rent every month.

i had a landlord back in texas that tried to do something like that to me. yes, i would call it extortion. isn't that against the renters rules? couldn't they be reported for even trying it?

It's not extortion, but it is most likely breaking the law. It sounds like the original owner of the park just got hit with a huge tax increase and is unable to pay it themselves. As a renter, you do have rights. But there are some questions here: why isn't everyone paying their rent? Why aren't repairs being done?

I don't know that extortion is the right word for it, but it is not right. One reason why I would never move into a trailer park. The rent on the lot in addition to the trailer rent can get crazy. Plus parks seem to always be raising the lot rent.

It sounds as if that landlord has been violating landlord/tenant laws for quite some time and the residents should report him and initiate an investigation. Those not paying rent should have had the eviction process started, not been subject to extortion. I hope someone calls their local housing office and gets that landlord under control.

No that's not extortion word extortion is only applicable when you employ harassment to get extra pay.

I think you are right. However in order for it not to be extortion, the landlord would have to give notice in writing that if the rent for being in the trailer park is not paid for a certain amount of time, the trailer house can be sold for the back rent. And it should be applied to those who were there for several months without paying. So the landlord cannot demand that someone who maybe missed March's payment or paid it a little late, give them his trailer home.

Yup. Definitely unfair business practice, and probably illegal as well. Do you have personal knowledge of this case scenario?

If people arn't paying they can evict it makes since. They are loosing money, and can't afford the upkeep. I know the trailer seasonal park my parents have the fees keep going up and up, because people arn't paying or people just up and leave. I know a few friends who didn't pay months of rent on their trailer, now the owners have to suffer and fork it out themselves. I don't see anything wrong with it, if they arnt fixing the plumbing call the unit in to investigate.

If people arn't paying they can evict it makes since. They are loosing money, and can't afford the upkeep. I know the trailer seasonal park my parents have the fees keep going up and up, because people arn't paying or people just up and leave. I know a few friends who didn't pay months of rent on their trailer, now the owners have to suffer and fork it out themselves. I don't see anything wrong with it, if they arnt fixing the plumbing call the unit in to investigate.

In my state if a landlord wants to raise the rent they can but they have to give 30 days or more notice. That depends on if they have a month to month agreement or lease agreement with their tenants. If it is month to month then the 30 day notice is needed, if it is a lease then the landlord still needs to give notice of rent increase but the increase only goes into effect when the new lease is signed. The whole raising rent to repair stuff and because others aren't paying is just an excuse to justify the raise in rent by a landlord who does not really know how to be a landlord. Legally a landlord does not have to tell you why they are raising the rent, but if they are claiming they are doing it to make repairs that is a red flag. That means they have not managed their money well enough to anticipate repair cost for their rental property. As far as the landlord posting signs at the mailboxes about lowering rent if the vacant lots get rented out, that sounds as if the landlord is trying to find other renters and trying to give an incentive if one of their current renters tells a friend about the vacancy. I don't see how trying to drum up business can be considered extortion. Now for telling people to sign over their titles, do these people owe him back rent or is he asking all people who have their own trailers to sign over the titles? If it is only the ones who owe back rent it sounds likes he is trying to give another option of paying. But if he is telling everyone who owns their own trailer to sign over the titles to cover everyone elses back rent, I say find another trailer park to move to ASAP because it sounds as if this landlord is having money troubles. It would not surprise me if the landlord gets the titles turns around sells the land and the trailers right out from under the renters.