Sen. Nangle bill to protect residents of mobile home communities signed into law

AUGUSTA — A transformative bill from Sen. Tim Nangle, D–Windham, that protects residents of Maine’s mobile home communities has been signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills.

LD 1145, “An Act to Protect Residents Living in Mobile Home Parks,” establishes a right of first refusal for mobile home park residents, giving them the legal opportunity to match a third-party offer when their community is up for sale. This approach, already in place in other states, has proven effective in preserving affordability and preventing displacement.

“With this law, we’re telling residents of mobile home communities: You matter. Your roots, your community and your right to a stable living matter,” said Sen. Nangle. “This is what good government should do — protect people over profits. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m even prouder of the residents who fought to make this possible.”

The new law requires mobile home park owners to notify residents when a sale is pending and provide them with the opportunity to organize and submit a matching offer. If residents can secure financing on substantially equivalent terms, the owner must accept the resident-submitted offer.

The bill’s goal is to ensure residents have a fair shot at purchasing the land beneath their homes — preserving one of Maine’s last forms of naturally affordable housing and reducing the influence of out-of-state corporate investors, who often raise rents and cut services after acquisition.

During debate on the Senate floor, Sen. Nangle delivered a personal and heartfelt speech about his family’s experience managing a mobile home community in Danvers, Massachusetts. He spoke about the values his father passed down — treating tenants with dignity, maintaining relationships, and putting people first. Thanks to Massachusetts’ Right of First Refusal law, the residents of that community were ultimately able to organize and purchase the land, preserving both affordability and a sense of ownership.

On June 5, Sen. Nangle joined mobile home community residents, advocates and fellow lawmakers at a press conference in Augusta following the Senate’s initial vote on the bill. Residents shared their stories of organizing to purchase their communities, and members of the Housing and Economic Development Committee spoke about the growing pressure facing mobile home communities from out-of-state investors. Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, and Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, discussed the broader package of bills aimed at preserving affordability, while residents like Dawn Beaulieu of Friendly Village Cooperative in Gorham described the urgent need for protections like the right of first refusal.

Having been signed into law, LD 1145 will take effect 90 days after the First Special Session of the 132^nd Legislature adjourns.

Sen. Nangle is serving his second term in the Maine Senate, representing Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Windham and part of Westbrook. He serves as Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee and sits on the Health and Human Services Committee.