Two Bloomington mobile home residents have reached a settlement with their Texas-based landlord, after they filed a lawsuit in 2024. The mobile homeowner and his partner rent a lot in Hilltop Mobile Home Park in south Bloomington, one of five local properties owned by Oak Wood Properties.
Prairie State Legal Services [PSLS] filed the lawsuit on behalf of the tenants, alleging the owner of Oak Wood Properties practiced unfair and illegal practices.
The tenants claimed the company violated the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act and the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act when they gave tenants a new lease to sign with illegal and misleading stipulations. They also said the property owner charged them with fees they did not agree to pay and illegally increased rent in the middle of their lease.
PSLS Supervising Attorney Erin Duncan filed the lawsuit. She said the case is in line with the values of PSLS and works to ensure housing fairness in the county.
“PSLS works to protect basic human needs and to enforce and uphold rights, including access to safe and affordable housing,” said Duncan. “Housing investors looking to do business in McLean County must follow Illinois laws designed to protect tenant consumers from unfair practices, including illegal fees and rent increases. When tenants know their rights, they are better equipped to obtain and maintain stable housing.”
The agreements between the tenants and Oak Wood Properties include the amendment of the model lease and community rules to conform with Illinois law, according to PSLS.
They will also disclose rent increase projections and notice of tenants’ rights, PSLS said. The disclosure of rights informs tenants that signing a new lease is not a requirement to stay in the park, they cannot be evicted for choosing to not sign a new lease, tenants can automatically renew a lease and can only be given a new proposal at the time, PSLS said. It also will tell tenants they can only be charged fees itemized in the lease and any past notices in conflict are null and void, according to PSLS.
In order to refund the unsuitable charges, Oak Wood will review accounts dating back to October 2023 will notify tenants of those refunds by Aug. 23 of this year.
The change of leases and account reviews will expand to all of the properties owned by Oak Wood in McLean County, including Alexander Estates, Grandview Estates, Maple Grove Estates and Northmeadow Village, according to PSLS.
McLean County mobile home tenants with questions about their rights can contact PSLS at (309) 827-5021.
Oak Wood did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
