PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Rent Control Board last week approved a $30 per month rent increase for Lake Onota Village following a public hearing that spanned two meetings. 

 

A number of residents from the mobile home park attended the meeting expressing their disapproval of owner M.H. Communities request for a hefty rent hike citing issues with the lots maintenance.

 

The owner's application to the board requested a 63 percent rent hike, or more than $200 per month, spread out over three years, but before the first meeting, it was revised to 29 percent, or $153 per month. 

 

After the first Rent Control Board meeting in March, co-owner Richard Baldwin said the company worked to "shave" its operating expenses down.

 

During the board's meeting on Wednesday, the owners again revised its request, dropping it to a $33 per month rent increase year-over-year over three years. 

 

The board approved a $30 increase.

 

M.H. Communities reviewed its operating expenses and removed revenue and some nonrecurring expenses, such as advertising, Baldwin said.