Kittery Town Council passes mobile home lot rent increase moratorium
The Kittery Town Council unanimously passed a 180-day moratorium on mobile home lot rent increases Monday, becoming the latest Maine municipality to discuss regulation in response to steep and frequent rent hikes.
The town is following in the footsteps of several others in York County, like Wells and Sanford, and across the state after failed attempts to pass statewide rent caps sparked discussion at the municipal level.
Related
Maine communities explore rent control to slow costs in mobile home parks
Several towns have already passed permanent ordinances, but Kittery officials intend to keep an eye on the state Legislature to see if it takes permanent action next session, Town Council Chair Judy Spiller said Monday. If not, the town will consider permanent rules once the moratorium expires.
Around 50 residents attended the meeting Monday evening, and nine provided public testimony urging the Town Council to pass the moratorium. Most were concerned about unanticipated expenses and a lack of park upkeep.
Chris Souder, who lives at Kittery’s Yankee Green mobile home park — which is owned by property management and investment company BoaVida Communities — said he started petitioning for a moratorium in November 2025 after residents received their fourth rent increase in three years.
Cynthia Lareau moved into another BoaVida park, Yankee Commons, in 2002, when rent was $220. Now, she pays over $700.
Advertisement
“At the current pace of these increases, BoaVida risks pricing many longtime resident out of their home,” Souder said.
Souder also presented the council with a photo of the crumbling road in front of his rented driveway. He was concerned BoaVida would require him to fix his driveway before properly mending the road that it owns.
Katie Thomas, a resident at Yankee Commons, said she was given a notice Sunday night to fix an “unsightly” deck attached to her home. She was given 12 days to repair it and was concerned about having to pay $5,000 out of pocket for a contractor.
Related
Sanford approves rent stabilization ordinance for mobile home parks
Others expressed frustration toward BoaVida, which manages some communities for older adults, including Yankee Green. The previous owners of the properties faced rising costs, too, Souder said, but they were able to manage without imposing steep rent and maintenance cost increases on residents.
“To make money off the backs of the infirm, the unwell and the elderly is a travesty,” Lareau said.
The 180-day pause passed with a 5-0 vote and included language to skip a 30-day rule to enact it. The moratorium took effect the moment it was passed Monday night; unless extended or repealed, it will expire in January.
Copy the Story Link
Tagged: kittery town council, mobile home parks
Isabelle Oss is a community reporter covering Kittery, Berwick, North Berwick, South Berwick, York and Ogunquit. Born and raised in Colorado, she moved to Maine in April 2026. Isabelle holds a master’s. More by Isabelle Oss
