Concerns over rising rent and inadequate living conditions in mobile home parks dominated the New Mexico House Judiciary Committee meeting on March 8, 2025. With over 32,000 residents living in mobile home parks statewide, many are facing significant challenges as private equity firms increasingly acquire these properties, leading to frequent rent hikes and deteriorating infrastructure.

Representative Matthews highlighted the plight of mobile home residents, particularly retirees on fixed incomes, who are struggling with rent increases that can occur multiple times a year. "These constant rent increases have become just a huge problem," she stated, emphasizing the financial strain on vulnerable populations. The current Mobile Home Park Act allows for 30-day leases and does not limit how often landlords can raise rents, exacerbating the situation.

The meeting also addressed the lack of regulatory oversight in mobile home parks, with many residents experiencing prolonged outages of essential utilities like heat and water. "We've had people without heat... for weeks," Matthews noted, calling for a working group to explore regulatory solutions. The proposed legislation aims to establish a two-year period during which rent increases would be limited while the working group develops a more comprehensive approach to address the issues.

While some stakeholders expressed support for the working group, others voiced concerns about the proposed rent restrictions. Landlords and property owners argued that such limitations could hinder their ability to maintain properties and respond to rising operational costs. Brent Moore, a lobbyist for the New Mexico Association of Realtors, stated, "We believe that you need to be allowed to respond to the existing conditions."

The committee is set to review the proposed legislation further, with an initial report from the working group expected by December 2025. As discussions continue, the urgency to protect mobile home residents from escalating costs and inadequate living conditions remains a pressing issue for New Mexico lawmakers.