The rent control regulation, which has been in effect for over 40 years, prohibits rent increases of more than 7% annually for mobile home tenants unless explicitly approved by the city. However, some landlords have attempted to bypass this limit by asserting that RVs are not mobile homes and therefore not subject to the same rules. This loophole has been used to justify price hikes for tenants living in RVs within mobile home communities.
In response, the city has officially clarified that RVs placed on designated mobile home lots are indeed covered by the rent control ordinance. This update reinforces the city's authority to regulate rents for all types of homes situated in mobile home parks, ensuring consistent protections for residents regardless of their housing format. Currently, RV tenants reside in 15 out of 58 mobile home parks throughout San Jose, making the clarification critical for maintaining housing stability for many residents.
City housing officials stated that the update is not a change in policy, but a necessary clarification to support enforcement and close gaps in interpretation that some landlords have exploited. The city reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all mobile park residents from unlawful rent increases and strengthening affordability protections as housing costs continue to climb across the region.
Some property managers continue to dispute the city's interpretation, arguing that RVs should not fall under the rent control ordinance. They question why a clarification would be needed if the law already covered RVs. City officials, however, maintain that the original ordinance always applied to RVs in mobile home parks and that the clarification merely ensures that residents and landlords understand how the policy should be applied.
One tenant, who has lived in a mobile home park in San Jose for nearly two decades, shared that he and his neighbors living in RVs had experienced recent rent hike attempts. With the updated policy language now clearly confirming their protections, he expressed relief and a renewed sense of security. He said the change gives residents something concrete to point to when questioning sudden rent increases and empowers them to stay informed about developments in their communities.
For many low-income residents, RVs represent one of the last remaining affordable housing options. As traditional housing becomes more expensive and harder to access, these unconventional homes have become a vital lifeline for individuals and families seeking shelter in a high-cost urban environment. The updated guidance from the city helps ensure these residents are not left vulnerable to exploitation.
The city’s decision to clarify the ordinance demonstrates a proactive approach to preserving affordable housing and curbing displacement. Officials also emphasized that future outreach and education efforts may be launched to ensure park owners, management companies, and residents fully understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.
With rent disputes continuing in some parks and housing challenges escalating across the region, San Jose’s latest action marks a critical step in reinforcing tenant protections for a growing segment of the population. RV tenants now have firmer ground to stand on, as city policy evolves to meet the realities of a diverse and shifting housing landscape.
This clarification underscores a broader trend: as more people turn to RVs, mobile homes, and alternative housing in search of affordability, cities must adapt their policies to ensure fairness and stability. San Jose’s response sends a clear message to landlords and tenants alike — all residents, regardless of the structure they live in, deserve equal protection under housing law.
