In a statement to The Bee, company representatives denied many of the residents claims. DocketSummons issued and filed. The lawsuit, filed Dec. 19 in Fresno County Superior Court, involves numerous residents at the mobile home park, only identified collectively as Grupo Comunitario De San Miguel Cuevas. San Miguel Cuevas is the town in Oaxaca where theyre originally from. The residents attorney reported the sewage odor to the Central Valley Regional Water Board in June and July 2019. The builder is not even trying to work with me to give me some of the money back.I feel this is an unfair business practice and I will continue to pursue my ******* money. Robert T. Waters in Department 11B. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. HearingHearing Type: Jury Trial; Court Room: 11B; Result: Vacated; Judge: Robert T. Waters; Participant: Donna Braxton (Plaintiff); Participant: Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation (Defendant); Participant: Matthew Davies (Defendant), HearingHearing Type: Mandatory Settlement Conference; Court Room: 11B; Result: Vacated; Judge: Robert T. Waters; Participant: Donna Braxton (Plaintiff); Participant: Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation (Defendant); Participant: Matthew Davies (Defendant). I went back to Anita and she only wanted to argue that I was at fault and she did nothing wrong. INSANELY HORRIBLE COMPANY! Under terms of the lawsuit, residents would at most compel ownership to better maintain the property they acquired in 2019 as well as get them to undo what they say is retaliation against the lawsuit. "I don't think we moved into a gated community where they can tell you exactly how you can have your yard," said resident Patricia Shawn. BBB is here to help. She said it is common for those ordinances to be challenged. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. $(window).load( function() { Harmony immediately raised space rent by $130.00a 32% increase that made rents unaffordable to families living in the park. Repairs and maintenance are usually baked into budgets. Aug. 28, 2018 10 AM PT. Judge: Ross, Roger. The company, however, maintains the law doesnt require them to provide Spanish-language documents. She admitted fault of the company and offered us a washer and dryer for the mistake.. a washer and dryer for compensation of a completely wrong house. Cleveland National Forest Foundation has a long history of challenging public agency collusion with sprawl developers that has ravaged forest, field and farm and left our cities bereft of transit, bike and walk infrastructure that would truly solve the housing and climate crisis, said Duncan McFetridge, director of CNFF. We do not want to displace a single person with this rent increase and merely desire for the owner to make a reasonable profit and be able to provide safe and affordable housing for all of you.. In the deposition process, it came out that the rent increase is part of Harmony Communities business practice to bring the property up to market rates, said Thompson. The lawsuit also claims Harmony Communities sent residents leases without terms that are required under the law. The company was also involved in a controversial 2018 RV park rent hike in San Leandro, which does not have rent control. e.preventDefault(); Share And a notice given to a resident at Shady Lakes in January shows that rent will rise to $628 starting this April, a 72 percent increase over the past few years. please create a FREE account OR login here. Donna Braxton vs Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation et al. "Then when that happens, rent tends to be lower. Residents who oppose these rules have been harassed and threatened by Harmonys staff. $(document).keydown(function(e){ 41017Petition027264b; Comment: Index of Exhibits ISO Petition for Rules Injunction, 41017Statemen03bc915; Comment: of Nature and Extent of Oral Testimony and Estimate of Time of Hearing, 41017Verified00eca3a; Comment: for Permanent Injunction Against Violations of Rules and Regulations, 03/28/2022: 3/28/22 Amended Petition Filed, 02/18/2022: 2/18/2022 - Proof of Service of Electronic Service, 02/18/2022: 2/18/2022 - HRG: 2/22/2022 - Proposed Order, 02/18/2022: 2/18/2022 - HRG: 2/22/2022 - Memorandum of Points & Authorities, 02/18/2022: 2/18/2022 - HRG: 2/22/2022 - Ex Parte for Order to Quash, 02/07/2022: 2/7/2022 Amended Document Filed, 02/07/2022: 2/7/2022 Amended Statement HRG 2/24/2022, 02/07/2022: 2/7/2022 Notice of Hearing HRG 2/24/2022, DocketList filed; Comment: Petitioner's Index of Exhibits in Support of Amended Petition for Rules Injunction, DocketAmended Document Filed; Comment: Verified Amended Petition for Permanent Injunction Against Violations of Rules and Regulations Under California Civil Code 798.88 and Award of Attorney's Fees and Costs Under California Civil Code 798.85, DocketPetition for; Judicial Officer: Cullers, Mark; Hearing Time: 8:30 AM; Cancel Reason: Court Order, DocketEx Parte Hearing; Judicial Officer: Cullers, Mark; Hearing Time: 8:29 AM; Result: Heard, FinancialFinancial info for Rocha, Phillip: Fee Waiver $60.00, FinancialFinancial info for Rocha, Phillip: Transaction Assessment $60.00, DocketProof of Service; Comment: RE: Electronic Service of Ex-Parte & Supporting Documents, DocketOrder Received for Signature; Comment: PENDING REVIEW @ 2/22/2022 HEARING Forwarded to Dept: 404 Order for: Quashing Service of Summons, DocketDeclaration Filed; Comment: RE: of Ephraim Camacho, DocketEx parte Filed; Comment: For An Order Quashing Service of Summons Re: Petitioners Verified Petition For Permanent Injunction and Award For Attorney Fees And Costs, DocketOrder Granting Waiver of Court Fees and Cost Signed; Comment: By Deputy Clerk, FinancialFinancial info for Harmony Communities, Inc.: EFile Payment Receipt # WEB-2021-17987 Harmony Communities, Inc. $225.00, FinancialFinancial info for Harmony Communities, Inc.: Transaction Assessment $225.00, FinancialFinancial: Harmony Communities, Inc.; Total Financial Assessment $365.00; Total Payments and Credits $365.00, DocketStatement filed; Comment: of Nature and Extent of Oral Testimony and Estimate of Time of Hearing, DocketList filed; Comment: Index of Exhibits ISO Petition for Rules Injunction, DocketPetition filed; Comment: for Permanent Injunction Against Violations of Rules and Regulations, Fresno County Superior Courts | Other | (209) 932-8747 Harmony Communities Profile and History Based in Stockton, California, Harmony Communities owns and operates thirty premier manufactured home communities in California and Oregon, and sees tiny homes as both an affordable and functional solution to California's housing crisis. Business Profile Harmony Communities, Inc. Property Management Contact Information 6653 Embarcadero Dr Ste C Stockton, CA 95219 Visit Website (209) 932-8747 Customer Complaints 1 complaints. Judge: Ross, Roger. Judge: Ross, Roger. Heres why, Federal judge issues new charges for Goshen massacre suspect in Operation Nightmare, Model agency pushed performers into prostitution and porn, California prosecutors say. The company quickly proved the Golden Hills residents' fears correct, applying 50-percent rent increases and issuing a 12-page single-spaced list of new park rules. Replacing a laundry room or a lamp post may be expensive, but usually those rent increases will be temporary until the improvement has been paid off. The lawsuit also claims Harmony Communities sent residents leases without terms that are required under the law. addresses all significant issues raised by the complainant, includes appropriate evidence and documents supporting the business' position, and. 2020-08-06, Fresno County Superior Courts | Personal Injury | Civil Case Cover Sheet filed by Braxton, Donna. My parents, who have lived at the park for many years, are elderly farmworkers[they] leave their shoes and clothing outside in order to avoid pesticide exposure inside of our home. In total the supervisors are expected to hear seven GPAs by the end of this year, including Newland Sierra, a 2,135-unit development in Twin Oaks Valley north of Escondido and possibly the 1,746-unit Lilac Hills Ranch project in Valley Center. How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. Retired Why is this public record being published online? Real Estate At a time when quality affordable housing is disappearing fast, it is our mission to expand options for economical and beautiful housing in the states and communities in which we operate. The Central Valley Regional Water Board inspected the park and issued a notice of violation for public nuisance due to the odor. She's representing residents at The Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park in a lawsuit filed in 2020 against Harmony Communities that cites a 32 increase. Thompson also represents the rent control group of residents at that mobile home park. Hearing Type: Case Management Conference; Court Room: 11B; Result: Held; Judge: Robert T. Waters; Participant: Donna Braxton (Plaintiff); Participant: Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation (Defendant); Participant: Matthew Davies (Defendant). One concern Thompson has is that Fresnos rent control ordinance has not been tested in courts. $100.00. Yesenia Amaro covers immigration and diverse communities for The Fresno Bee. } Your questions and concerns are important to us. They speak Mixteco. In late January, residents received another notice increasing their rent again, bring it up to $595, Thompson said. But Thompson says Harmony Communities is also known for raising rates. $(".custombox-content").bind("contextmenu",function(e) { A $20 service fee was added at the beginning of 2021. The company also said they have not filed any evictions. Thompson was told via email that because of the lawsuit, they wouldnt send notices in Spanish. Measures included including a third travel lane for the entirety of Country Club Drive, fuel modification zones on site and ignition resistant construction. Want access? We want justice for all of this, and we want things to get resolved, one resident told The Bee in Spanish. The Bee interviewed nine residents, all of whom said theyve been hit with significant rent increases by the new owners. $0.00. The Judge overseeing this case is Cullers, Mark. But it's a tough process. Affordable Communities Harmony Communities owns and operates premier manufactured housing communities in the western United States. Thank you for your interest in social justice! The two General Plan amendment projects approved by the board of supervisors last month represent a total of 779 new housing units in Harmony Grove and Eden Valley, south of Escondido. Thompson described the $200 monthly increase as brutal.. Ultimately what happens is residents are responsible for upholding their own rights and seeking judicial adjudication of their rights, which is very difficult because mobile home residents are some of the most vulnerable populations, and do not have access to the legal system, normally, she said. She belittled my fiance and I because we look young and said how their error was a small problem in the world and that its not a big issue. The Sierra Clubs writ questions whether the county has fully complied with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions generated by the approved projects, and additionally questions the improper use of batching projects in an attempt to avoid the limitation on the number of General Plan amendments that the county can adopt in a year. Our work impacts farmworkers, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBT communities, women, children and families in rural areas. The company continues to buy affordable housing communities in low-income areas in cities such as Gilroy. No tenants have given notice to move out since we took over the community, and none have asked for rent accommodations due to hardship, the emailed statement said. Mark Adams is the court-appointed receiver at Trails End and insists that Harmony Communities was picked for a reason. Since most residents own their own homes, costs are largely fixed for property owners, Merrifield said. Residents have now retained an attorney to negotiate a purchase of the property. Residents paid $395 under the previous owners, less than a year ago. Yet this group of four supervisors choked and did not have the political will when they had the tool and the chance to require housing the average North County resident could afford, Arsivaud said. A bar lauded for downtown Fresno revitalization has sold to new owners. There is no way to reverse the rent, said Thompson. Unfortunately, the non-profit (who was in escrow for 1 year), was not able to secure any types of funding or even put the $1000 earnest money deposit into escrow for the entire year. Judge: Ross, Roger. We are honored to join with the Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council and fight the good fight.. Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, BBB Business Scam Alert: Out-of-Town homeowners con contractors with fake checks, Need to file a complaint? The park has been operating at a loss for several years and has been fighting to keep this park open so no resident will have to move, the letter stated. 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Additionally, Harmony Communities allegedly didnt maintain the common areas at the mobile home park in good condition. Industrial Outside of the financial reasons keeping them there, most of the residents come from the same area in Oaxaca a state in southern Mexico. The suit names as defendants Shady Lakes LLC, KMLM Investors LCC and Harmony Communities, Inc. Shady Lakes LLC and KMLM Investors LCC bought the Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park in Fresno in April 2019, and Harmony Communities, Inc., operates and manages the mobile home park, according to the lawsuit. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. My TERRIBLE agent, Ana Anita M********** told me to not worry about it. Attorneys representing them on that are working hard with, you know, community partners and the County of Fresno to try and obtain funding to help residents purchase the park in a way that can bring the rent down, Thompson said. After two tragic fires tore through Trails End Mobile Home Park in Fresno, the community could soon see new owners step in. The park continues to operate at a loss and requires ongoing cash infusions by the owners to keep the park open. *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. The problem is buying it at a price that would allow residents to bring rent down. She's representing residents at The Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park in a lawsuit filed in 2020 against Harmony Communities that cites a 32 increase. var cbClass = custombox[0]; Many of the residents have received notices requesting their gates be left unlocked at all times, and have had personnel with the company enter their private property and take photos of everything around their house, Thompson said. Roger Ross in Department 11B. At the time the lawsuit was filed, shortly after Harmony Communities had purchased the property, rent had increased 32%. Hearing Result: Vacated Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Case status updated to Disposed. One of Thompsons clients is 80 years old, making $800 a month and paying $700 in rent. I have tried to appeal to the builder to no avail. She said the management has also raised prices on other services, such as for renting parking spaces at the parks exterior boundary. Harmony Communities, Inc., (Harmony) a Stockton-based corporation that operates more than twenty mobile home parks throughout California and Oregon, took over Shady Lakes in April 2018. 2022-09-06, Fresno County Superior Courts | Other | She said the sewage system was malfunctioning for at least eight months, and the park was inundated with as smell of human sewage.. While it is a bit larger than we would normally like, it is necessary to staunch the bleeding, the letter said. This, and resident told the Bee in Spanish represents the rent, Thompson! 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