HERMANTOWN — A number of residents of the Maple Fields Mobile Home Park likely will be moving into temporary housing until their landlord makes necessary repairs to their rental homes.
Judge Shawn Pearson ordered Elevated Property Management Ltd. to pre-pay for three weeks of alternative housing for residents whose properties have been flagged by the city as unsafe for habitation. The Bloomington-based firm, led by co-defendant Steven Schneeberger, will not be allowed to return displaced tenants to their mobile home units until Hermantown building officials deem them inhabitable again.
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As of Friday, however, the plaintiffs’ attorney, Peter LaCourse, said his clients had yet to be offered temporary housing. Yet he expressed optimism the landlord would comply.
"It's all about bridging the gap until needed repairs can be made," he said. "These folks have been paying their rent. They've been holding up their end of the bargain, and they deserve a safe place to live."
In a Dec. 27 order, Pearson explained why the relocation and repairs were necessary, writing that the action was “due to the loss of running water, plumbing breaks and backups, structural damage, frozen pipes, raw sewage leaks, and floors and ceilings caving in.”
A court hearing originally scheduled for Jan. 2 was postponed, and the next remote virtual meeting of the involved parties before Pearson is slated for Jan. 13.
In the interim, Pearson allowed for displaced tenants to pay their rent into a third-party escrow account that would not be transferred to the management company until safety concerns had been addressed.
Hermantown City Attorney Gunnar Johnson informed the court that city officials had been trying for nine months to bring the landlord’s properties into compliance with building standards, related to public health concerns. Those alleged issues have included mold, leaks, unsafe electrical wiring, plus frozen pipes and broken plumbing that have left several residents without water service.
Johnson told the court that concerns about living conditions at Maple Fields have continued to mount as temperatures drop and winter weather threatens.
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In a petition to the court on behalf of his clients, LaCourse, wrote: “The tenants live in substandard living conditions, with the city of Hermantown declaring the trailers dangerous.” He also said the suit was brought in hopes of obtaining better-quality housing for residents.
The group of Maple Fields residents who are party to the case also have sought reimbursement for legal fees and court costs, although the court has not yet ruled on that aspect of the complaint.
LaCourse noted that if living hazards at the mobile home park are not abated, Hermantown has indicated its intention to issue “Don’t occupy” orders that could force tenants out of their homes with no clear place to turn.
While LaCourse represents five households living at Maple Fields, he believes additional tenants could file similar claims. However, he said many residents are hesitant to get involved for fear of repercussions, including a loss of housing.
Pearson specifically ordered the management company to engage in no forms of retaliation.
Meanwhile, Elevated Property Management continues to have the Hermantown mobile home park up for sale, offering the following description online: “The community consists of 54 sites with 46 park-owned homes. Many of the POHs are renovated and continue to be improved as they turn over.”
Interested parties are advised against visiting the property unannounced, however, by the Pennsylvania-based real estate agency that is marketing the park. The listing goes on to say: “As always, this is a confidential sale. Please do not go to the community without setting up a showing appointment with the listing agents. If on-site, do not under any circumstances speak with any tenants or employees. Please contact us for additional information.”
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