Can the park manager force residents to sign a long-term lease, causing them to lose rent control protections

If the resident is currently a homeowner residing in the park, then they may reject a long-term lease and opt for a shorter-term lease. In the case of a prospective buyer of a home in the park who is not yet a resident, their right

not to sign such a long lease is less clear. A rental agreement or lease with a term of more than 12 months is exempt from any rent control ordinance. (Civil Code §798.17) The resident may reject a long-term lease after
reviewing it and opt for an annual or month-to-month rental agreement. (Civil Code §798.18) If the resident elects to have a rental agreement for 12 months or less, the rent charges and conditions shall be the same as those
offered in the longer-term lease during the first 12 months (Civil Code §798.18). Not all long-term leases are bad for homeowners, and some may provide rent stability for years that month-to-month or annual tenancy does not, particularly in localities where rent control will probably never be enacted.

Recap:
● Current homeowners residing in the park have the option of signing a short-term lease agreement with charges
and conditions that are the same as in a long-term lease.
● Buyers, or prospective residents, may not have the option to reject a long-term lease.
● Residents have 30 days to review and accept or reject a long-term lease.