Effects of trailer rent ordinance now evident

On May 15, the Democrats on the Hazlet Township Committee, Mayor James DiNardo, Deputy Mayor Kevin Lavan, and Committeeman Joseph Belasco voted in favor and passed the Vacancy Decontrol Ordinance changing the sales of mobile homes in Hazlet Township.

Over 100 residents were present at that town meeting and voiced concern and fear over the negative impact this ordinance would have on the sale/value of their mobile homes.

In spite of this, Mayor DiNardo insisted, "No one is going to get hurt by this." Well, Mr. Mayor, you were wrong!

Today I watched a family abandon their home. They were relocating to Arizona to escape the high cost of living in New Jersey.

For two years, their home was up for sale. The asking price - $35,000 plus $750 per month rent for the landlord's lot it sits on. The home was worth every bit of $35,000. But $750 a month rent is pretty high for a piece of land the size of a driveway, utilities not included. Still, a buyer was found willing to pay cash in full. However, unsatisfied with the buyer's income, the landlord rejected the sale.

Eventually the price was dropped to $25,000. Later, in the hands of a real estate agent, two more prospective buyers were rejected by the landlord. The price was dropped again to $15,000.

Then came vacancy decontrol, allowing landlords to raise rental fees without restriction upon the sale of a mobile home.

What was once difficult became impossible! Unable to sell, and unable to afford two rents (Hazlet and Arizona), this family stripped their home of everything they could load (doors, windows, cabinets, etc.) and - reminiscent of John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" - I watched a family drive away.

The landlord is the new owner now. Price paid? Zero.

Nice deal, right Mr. Mayor?

William Lawton

Hazlet