Bozeman mobile home residents end rent strike, seek new lease terms

BOZEMAN, Mont. — A rent strike at two Bozeman mobile home parks has ended as residents said they wanted to give the new owner a chance to work with them. 

Residents at Mountain Meadows and King Arthur mobile home parks voted to stop the strike over the weekend, according to union leaders. They said they took that step in good faith toward new owner Steve Martini of the California-based Cabrillo Management Corporation. 

Benjamin Moore, Mountain Meadows Tenant Union leader, said residents wanted to show they were open to working with the new ownership. 

“We're willing to give these new guys a chance. So, this is an olive branch that we're going to extend as we back down from this very like, harsh and serious position. Give them a chance,” said Benjamin Moore. 

The strike began at the start of May after rents went up by 11% shortly before the properties were sold. Union organizers said no reason was given for the increase and said they still want lower rent. 

“Whether this was out of greed or if it is just a standard practice in corporate acquisition of trailer parks, doesn't really matter,” said Benjamin Moore. 

Residents said they have started to see some work under the new owners and manager, including improvements to power poles, driveways and water issues. 

The union is drafting proposed lease terms to send to the owners and manager sometime next week; they hope the new owners will agree to or negotiate with. Those terms included year-long leases instead of month-to-month agreements and more affordable rent. 

Moore said residents also wanted a stronger role in decisions that affect the parks. 

“We need the rent to not be insane. We need to have a say in how this place is run and we need to have a line of communication with the people making decisions about our lives,” said Benjamin Moore. 

NonStop Local has reached out to the new owners but have not been able to sit down for a conversation yet. We will continue covering this story as there are updates.