Waterville Passes Rent Stabilization Rules for Mobile Homes

New ordinance limits yearly rent hikes, gives residents a say in decisions affecting their homes

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Waterville City Council has passed a rent stabilization ordinance that aims to limit yearly lot rent increases at a local mobile home park. The new rules require park owners to submit documentation to both the city and residents before raising lot rents, and larger increases above the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment must be reviewed by a rent stabilization board where residents can voice their concerns.

Why it matters

The ordinance comes after a New York-based investment firm purchased the Countryside Mobile Home Park, leading to rent hikes of nearly 100% for some residents living on fixed incomes. The new rules are intended to provide more stability and protections for mobile home residents who often have limited options to relocate their homes.

The details

The rent stabilization ordinance was passed with a 6-0 vote by the Waterville City Council. It requires park owners to submit documentation to the city and residents before raising lot rents, and larger increases above the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment must be reviewed by a five-member rent stabilization board where residents can voice their concerns at a public hearing. The city had already imposed a temporary moratorium on lot rent hikes last September while the ordinance was being developed.

  • The Waterville City Council passed the rent stabilization ordinance in February 2026.
  • The city imposed a temporary moratorium on lot rent hikes in September 2025 while the ordinance was being developed.

The players

Waterville City Council

The governing body of Waterville, Maine that passed the rent stabilization ordinance with a 6-0 vote.

C37 Capital LLC

A New York-based investment firm that purchased the Countryside Mobile Home Park in Waterville in May 2022, leading to large rent increases for residents.

Spencer Krigbaum

A Waterville city councilor who represents Ward 5 and said the city felt the previous lot rent increases were "very predatory".

Diana Combellick

A resident of the Countryside Mobile Home Park who saw her lot rent nearly double from $325 to $600.

Joe Lemieux

A resident of the Countryside Mobile Home Park who described the impact of the rent increases, saying "What do you give up? You eat less, you don't take your meds like you're supposed to if you're older."

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What they’re saying

“The lot rent specifically was very predatory we felt. You're talking about selling your entire house to move somewhere else. It's not easy to relocate, and that's why we decided to step in.”

— Spencer Krigbaum, Waterville City Councilor (newscentermaine.com)

“$600 is a huge increase from where I started in 2022 at $325.”

— Diana Combellick, Resident, Countryside Mobile Home Park (newscentermaine.com)

“What do you give up? You eat less, you don't take your meds like you're supposed to if you're older. Money out of my pocket and I'm getting nothing in return.”

— Joe Lemieux, Resident, Countryside Mobile Home Park (newscentermaine.com)

What’s next

The new rent stabilization rules will go into effect immediately, requiring park owners to submit documentation to the city and residents before raising lot rents. Any increases above the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will need to be reviewed by the newly formed five-member rent stabilization board, where residents will have the opportunity to voice their concerns at a public hearing.

The takeaway

The passage of Waterville's rent stabilization ordinance for mobile home parks demonstrates how local governments can step in to protect vulnerable residents from predatory rent hikes, especially when large investment firms purchase and dramatically increase rents in these communities. The new rules aim to strike a balance between the needs of park owners and the financial security of mobile home residents living on fixed incomes.