News Summary
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is investigating mobile home parks for overcharging residents on utility bills, particularly at Desert Haven Mobile Home Park in Tucson. Credits for overcharging could reach hundreds or even over $1,000 for affected residents. The investigation uncovered issues with high utility costs, primarily for water, and addressed community concerns about landlords inflating prices. Skyline Real Estate, managing Desert Haven, has committed to issuing utility credits while multiple residents share experiences of financial strain due to inflated charges. The AG’s office warns landlords of potential legal consequences amidst housing affordability concerns in Arizona.
Arizona – The Arizona Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation into mobile home parks across the state due to allegations of overcharging residents on utility bills. The inquiry has resulted in utility credits for residents at Desert Haven Mobile Home Park in Tucson, one of the parks identified in the investigation. The credits could amount to hundreds or even over $1,000 for residents affected by the overcharging, which has reportedly been happening for the past eight years.
During a recent visit to Desert Haven Mobile Home Park, Attorney General Kris Mayes addressed the community’s growing concerns regarding high utility costs. Many residents have experienced significant financial burdens because of inflated utility bills, primarily related to water usage, although there are suspicions of electricity overcharging in other mobile home parks across Arizona.
The Attorney General’s investigation unveiled widespread issues of overcharging, raising alarms about the practice among mobile home park landlords, who often purchase utilities from external providers. These landlords may inflate prices when billing residents. Attorney General Mayes indicated that the AG’s office is scrutinizing Skyline Real Estate, the operator of Desert Haven, particularly regarding their oversight of the accurate submetering of utilities for residents.
Skyline Real Estate has attributed the discrepancies in utility billing to incorrect calculations made by a third-party billing company they employed. As the investigation continues, it has become clear that multiple residents have been disproportionately affected, with many expressing gratitude for the Attorney General’s efforts to address these injustices.
Residents of Desert Haven have reported experiencing excessive charges on their utility bills since at least 2017. Some residents, including Howard Waltermire and James Goldrick, provided accounts of enduring financial strain due to the inconsistently high charges. One tenant, Gerardo Valenzuela, faced threats of eviction over a high water bill and later discovered that he was charged $600, while the landlord was billed $900 for the entire park’s water services.
As part of the resolution to this issue, Skyline Real Estate has committed to issuing utility credits to affected residents, with the adjustments expected to be reflected on their bills by September. The Attorney General’s office has also urged other residents in mobile home parks throughout Arizona who suspect they are experiencing similar overcharging to file complaints to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Attorney General Mayes has issued a stern warning to mobile home park landlords, underlining the potential legal consequences they could face if found guilty of overcharging for utilities. The investigation represents a significant step toward ensuring fairness and transparency in utility billing practices, especially at a time when housing affordability is a growing concern in Arizona.
As the investigation into the overcharging of utilities continues, residents remain hopeful for a resolution that holds landlords accountable while mitigating the financial burdens they have endured for far too long. Ensuring that mobile home park residents receive fair treatment concerning their utility bills is essential as the AG’s office continues to work toward addressing the systemic issues prevalent in this sector.
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Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
