OAKLAND — Town officials are exploring a temporary ban on mobile home park lot rent increases after residents complained they can’t afford such hikes.

Several park residents among about three dozen people who packed the Oakland Fire Station on Wednesday urged the Town Councilto impose a moratorium, saying they fear having to leave their homes because rental costs rise with little notice.

They said the majority of park residents own their homes but rent the lots on which they sit, leaving them vulnerable to rent increases they can’t afford or control.

“When lot rents rise faster than our wages, fixed incomes or benefits,” resident Rhonda West said, “the residents — especially seniors or young families all on limited income — face real risk of displacement and being unhoused.”

After about an hour of discussion, the town elected officials voted to consult legal counsel to see how the town can help park residents and give officials time to explore options before another rent increase.

Councilor Kelly Roderick said she was invited by the Maine People’s Alliance to attend a meeting two weeks ago with mobile home park residents who are worried about losing their homes. The residents, she said, asked to meet with town officials.

“I have promised these people nothing other than a voice and a time to listen,” Roderick said.

West, who lives in Breens Mobile Home Park at 54 Fairfield St., said no resident should live in constant fear of losing a home due to excessive rent increases. She asked the council to enact a rent stabilization ordinance. Such ordinances, she said, help people stay housed, preserve affordable housing and support strong, stable communities.

Oakland has four parks: Breens, with 16 lots, Kennebec Mobile Home Park at 527 Webb Road, with 26 lots; Hidden Meadows Mobile Home Park at 3 Oak St., with 46 lots; and a small park off Town Farm Road called Dawn-Via.

According to town records and information provided by Maine People’s Alliance, C37 Capital, whose principals include Mark Hsu and George Chen, owns the four parks. Hidden Meadows is managed by MREM, which has a Bangor address. RCM Property Management LLC, based in Sabattus, manages Breens and Kennebec.

In November 2024, the monthly lot rent at Breens was $385. In January 2025, it rose to $440; in April 2025, $480; and September 2025, $600.

At Kennebec Mobile Home Park, rental lots in May 2024 were $410; in October that year, $480; and in September 2025, $600.

An email sent Thursday morning to Chen and Hsu was not immediately returned.

Sam Clark, who lives in Hidden Meadows, asked that the council impose a temporary moratorium on rent increases.

“We’re all limited income,” he said. “I just lost my job today.”

Heather Larson, who also lives in Hidden Meadows, said costs have become prohibitive.

“I have children at home,” Larson said. “I can’t afford to move anywhere else.”

Councilor Robert Nutting, who also represents House District 66 in the Maine State Legislature, said every time officials consider doing something to keep mobile home park owners from raising rent costs, park owners raise them first, causing an explosion of increases ahead of a possible moratorium. Nutting, a Republican, represents Oakland, Mercer, Sidney, Smithfield and Starks.

Lorri Nandrea, field organizer for the Maine Labor Climate Council, which is working with Maine People’s Alliance, said that is precisely why the town is being asked to impose a moratorium so that residents are protected.

Roderick said Watervilleenacted a six-month moratorium in August after residents there appealed to the City Council. Earlier this month, Waterville elected officials approved a rent stabilization ordinance and appointed members to a rent stabilization board to consider any proposed lot rental increases above a certain percentage.

When Waterville park owners want to increase rents, they must go before the board, whose members don’t have any skin in the game, Roderick said.

C37 Capital also owns Waterville’s two mobile home parks, located off West River Road and Grove Street.

Nutting said he wanted to see examples of ordinances, such as those approved in Waterville and Old Orchard Beach, before the council’s next meeting.

Council Chairman Mike Perkins said he sympathized with park residents and said he thought consulting legal counsel was the appropriate avenue to begin dealing with the issue. Meanwhile, he urged park residents with code and safety concerns to contact Code Enforcement Officer Nathan Smart.