Lee County mobile homeowners consider demolition over rising lot rent

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Mobile homeowners in Jamaica Bay Village say they're struggling to keep up with lot rent increases.

WINK News First reported on concerns community members had in November. A neighbor recently reached out after seeing a home demolished, saying the family next door tried to sell, couldn't, and decided to tear it down.

"We worked our entire life to come and live this life here, and it's a little scary — what does the future hold here in Jamaica Bay, as far as affordability?" Christina Koth, a resident of Jamaica Bay Village, said.

Inside the manufactured home community off US-41 in Lee County, people own the home and rent the land. 

When Christina and Chuck Koth made the move to Florida, they found a forever home in Jamaica Bay Village. "We always came back here. This was the best one," Chuck Koth said.

The Koths say after lot rent increases in recent years, they're worried they can't keep up with the price of what's supposed to be their paradise.

"We first moved here it was, we paid $961 a month, and that was six years ago, and now it's almost $1,300," Chuck Koth said.

It's a trend local manufactured home broker Antonette Fazlic says she's seen in the Jamaica Bay community. "Since 2017-2018 the lot rents have skyrocketed," said Fazlic. 

Fazlic is the broker and owner at The Mobile Home Lady. Her company has several years of direct selling experience specifically in Jamaica Bay Village.

"We're talking about $1,000 more monthly than when people had purchased in there 10 years ago, less than 10 years ago," Fazlic said.

Another Jamaica Bay owner, who asked to stay anonymous, says she's been trying to sell but says others are looking at more drastic options. "I know there were a couple other people in our neighborhood that said, you know, they were getting to the point of demolishing their homes as well," the anonymous Jamaica Bay resident said.

WINK News reporter Maddie Herron reached out to Cove Communities to ask about resident concerns, including lot rent pricing metrics and exit options if someone was looking to leave. The company declined an interview, but a spokesperson responded with a statement on behalf of the company.

"At Jamaica Bay, we use a fair and transparent process to guide any base rent adjustments. We review comparable communities in the region to ensure our rates remain competitive and aligned with the value of living here. Our goal is to support a stable, respectful, and high-quality community for everyone who calls Jamaica Bay home," the statement said.

Fazlic says she doesn't see the lot rent prices going down in the future. "What I would tell folks if this is not affordable for you long term, it's not going to get any better. Lot rents are not going to go down," Fazlic said.

"Jamaica Bay is a five star community, by all means. It's a very nice community. The homeowners in there have also invested in making it what it is. But if long term, it doesn't make sense for you, I would tell you, you know, to look other places," Fazlic said.

Chuck Loop is one of several residents who says he is paying hundreds more a month for rent than he did a few years ago. He noted some neighbors on fixed incomes are having to make hard decisions.

"A lot of people have had to cut back in some pretty dangerous areas like what they eat, you know, where they spend their money. I mean, it's just not fun anymore," said Loop. "Myself, I'll be okay. Do I like it? No. I do not like it, because I know what's happening to a lot of folks in here."

Christina Koth says she's considered demolishing her home. "I thought about that, and I'd hate to see it. That will crush me, because we've put a lot of our own little touches on this house, a lot of touches on it, and it's a great house," Koth said.

For the time being, she's going to stay. While Koth is nervous about her future finances, Jamaica Bay is her home.

"I hope that the legislatures can do something," said Koth. "I'm just trying to be patient for the next 18 months to see what happens."