(A) Utility billing. If a mobile home park provides in the rent, without separate charge, utilities or similar services (including, but not limited to, natural gas, electricity, water, sewer, trash, and/or cable television) and converts to separate charge for such service by separate metering, separate charge or other lawful means of transferring to the tenant the obligation for payment for such services, the cost savings shall be passed through to tenants by an rent increase equal to the actual cost to the park of such transferred utility or similar service (less common area usage) based on costs for the 12-month period prior to notice to the tenants of the change. No hearing shall be required for utility service billing complying with this section. Where a rental agreement does not provide otherwise, a mobile home park may charge mobile home owners for utilities as provided in Cal. Civil Code §§ 798.40 and 798.41.
(B) Installation costs. The cost of installation of separate utility meters, or similar costs shall not be considered for the purpose of separate utility billing space rent increases under Cal. Code of Civil Procedure § 798.41, provided that this section shall not be construed to prohibit or prevent the consideration of inclusion of such costs as an increased operating expense for an adjusted space rent increase petition pursuant to § 5.80.090.
(Ord. 2023-366, passed 3-1-2023)