Trailer park owner involved in local disputes issues cease-and-desist to Waukee organizer
Lang
4/26/19
The dispute over raising rents at local trailer parks took a turn this week after the company that recently purchased the parks issued a cease-and-desist letter to a resident who is organizing against them.
Havenpark, which recently purchased Golfview Estates in North Liberty, Sunrise Village in Iowa City and West Branch Village, issued the letter to a resident at another of its newly-acquired parks in Waukee.
Matt Chapman, who organized residents of Waukee’s Midwest Country Estates, tells The Des Moines Register he received a cease-and-desist letter from Havenpark’s lawyers last week. The letter from the Davis Brown law firm in Des Moines accuses Chapman of spreading false rumors about Havenpark and orders him to stop making what it terms “unwanted solicitations” from his neighbors. It says Havenpark will take “all steps necessary to protect its rights”.
Havenpark purchased Midwest Country Estates last month for $17.5 million. Shortly thereafter, the company announced it was increasing rent from $295 to $500.
Residents of the three local Havenpark properties have seen similar steep increases, all of which go into effect on July 1st. Residents of Golfview organized the Golfview Residents Association earlier this month to fight their rate increase. There is no indication if a similar letter was sent to any of its residents.