Guthrie Mobile Home Park

For many Floridians, the pursuit of accessible and community-oriented housing often leads to exploring options like mobile home parks, also known as manufactured home communities. These residential settings can offer a different pathway to homeownership or stable long-term residency compared to traditional stick-built houses, often at a more appealing entry price. The idea is to provide a home within a managed community, sometimes with amenities, fostering a neighborhood feel. However, the quality of experience within these parks can vary widely, making thorough research and understanding of current resident feedback absolutely critical.

Guthrie Mobile Home Park, situated in Thonotosassa, Florida, is one such community that has generated significant discussion among its residents. Understanding the nuances of a mobile home park is vital. Typically, residents might own their mobile home and lease the land it sits on, or, in some cases, participate in a "rent-to-own" program. While the promise of affordability and a path to homeownership can be attractive, the actual implementation of these programs and the ongoing management of the park profoundly impact daily life.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive and factual overview of Guthrie Mobile Home Park. We will detail its location and accessibility within the Thonotosassa area, outline the general services and features one would typically expect from such a community, and crucially, incorporate direct and detailed insights from current and former residents. It is imperative to present a transparent picture, addressing both the advertised aspects and the lived experiences of tenants, to help you, as a local user in Florida, make a well-informed decision about whether Guthrie Mobile Home Park aligns with your housing needs and expectations. The provided reviews highlight serious concerns that any prospective resident must consider carefully.

Guthrie Mobile Home Park is located at 11930 Hazen Ave, Thonotosassa, FL 33592, USA. Thonotosassa is a community in Hillsborough County, Florida, known for its mix of semi-rural charm and reasonable proximity to the more urbanized areas of Tampa. This location typically offers a quieter residential environment compared to the bustling city centers, appealing to those who prefer a more laid-back pace of life.

The park's address on Hazen Ave places it within a local network of roads that connect to wider regional routes. While Thonotosassa provides some local conveniences like gas stations and smaller shops, major retail centers, comprehensive grocery stores, diverse dining options, and significant employment hubs are primarily found in nearby areas such as Tampa, Brandon, or Plant City. Access to major highways like Interstate 4 (I-4) would typically require a short drive, facilitating commutes and travel to other parts of Central Florida.

For residents, the location offers a balance: a degree of separation from urban noise and traffic, coupled with the ability to reach metropolitan amenities within a reasonable driving time. This characteristic is often appealing to Floridians seeking a more affordable housing option that doesn't completely isolate them from the conveniences of city life. However, reliance on personal transportation for most errands and activities is likely.

Based on the provided customer reviews, the services offered and their execution at Guthrie Mobile Home Park raise significant concerns. While mobile home parks generally provide basic services, the resident feedback indicates severe deficiencies. Typically, one would expect the following from such a park, but the reviews present a contrasting reality:

• Home Provision (Rent-to-Own Model): The park advertises a "rent-to-own" model for its mobile homes. However, residents report that this "means, they are not fixing anything. It's your problem." This contradicts the expectation of ongoing support during a rent-to-own period where the park typically retains some responsibility.

• Maintenance and Repairs: Reviews explicitly state, "they refuse to fix ANYTHING," "I had to fight with the owner to fix a bathroom floor that was falling in, and this took over a week," and "still no attempt of anything from management" regarding termite infestations. This indicates a severe lack of timely and effective maintenance services for issues affecting the habitability of homes.

• Utility Provision & Billing: While utilities are provided, a resident reports the "water bill went from average $25 a month to recently $75 a month" and was told "the owner was now charging MORE for water, and if we don't like it we can pay to have city water hooked up." This suggests arbitrary and significant increases in utility costs with an unhelpful response to inquiries.

• Pest Control: Residents report "rat infestations on several occasions" and "termites invade the houses" during summer, with management reportedly saying it was "normal and everyone had them" and making no attempts at control. This points to a complete absence of pest management services.

• Electrical Maintenance: "Had several electric issues in the house (outlet wires not working, ceiling fans malfunctioning)" with no resolution from management.

• Tree Trimming/Power Reliability: Management reportedly "refuse to cut back any trees so anytime it rains the power goes out." This indicates a lack of proactive infrastructure maintenance affecting utility reliability.

• Rent Payment System & Late Fees: Residents report a "new app to pay rent" that costs "$24 to use" and a strict "$100 late fee if late," with management refusing to work with tenants during "hard times" or even accept payment to avoid eviction.

• Deposit Management: A "deposit is $2,000" and a "$250 pet deposit deducted from deposit AFTER living there for a year with pets," indicating potentially questionable deposit handling practices.

Based on the provided customer reviews, the "features" and "highlights" of Guthrie Mobile Home Park are predominantly negative experiences, rather than positive amenities or well-maintained conditions. These direct accounts from residents paint a critical picture:

• "Remodeled" Homes (Questionable Quality): Homes are advertised as "remodeled," but this reportedly "consists of Peel and stick floor tiles and a coat of paint at best," with significant underlying structural issues like "bathroom floor that was falling in." This suggests superficial rather than substantive renovations.

• Extensive and Arbitrary "Rules": Residents highlight an unusually high number of "rules" that reportedly govern daily life, contributing to "too much drama."

• Unresponsive and Unprofessional Management/Ownership: The most consistent "highlight" is the characterization of the owner as a "crook" and "slumlords," with management being unhelpful, refusing repairs, and engaging in questionable practices regarding evictions and payment acceptance. They are described as "nice when they are convincing you to 'rent to own'" but subsequently refuse all responsibility.

• Chronic Maintenance Neglect: Issues like persistent rat infestations, termite invasions, electrical problems, and untrimmed trees causing power outages are reported as unaddressed and even normalized by management.

• Rapid and Unjustified Rent/Utility Increases: Rent increased "TWICE" in two years, and the water bill tripled, with the owner reportedly "charging MORE for water" without justification. This highlights a severe lack of financial stability for residents.

• Lack of Privacy/Gossip Culture: "Everyone knows your business through gossip," indicating a pervasive lack of personal privacy within the community.

• Inconsistent Pet Policies: Despite a "strict 2 pet limit" and a pet deposit, the park manager reportedly "has 18 dogs," and there are "stray cats EVERYWHERE." This suggests unfair and unenforced rules.

• High Security Deposit: A "deposit is $2,000, more than an above average apartment or home," which is a significant upfront cost for a problematic living situation.

Based on the provided customer reviews, there are no promotions or special offers explicitly mentioned for Guthrie Mobile Home Park. In fact, the reviews highlight a negative financial experience for residents, including:

• A high initial security deposit of $2,000.

• Rent increasing twice within two years.

• A significant increase in water utility charges.

• A $100 late fee for rent payments.

• A $24 fee to use their new app for rent payment.

• A $250 pet deposit deducted from the main deposit after a year of residency.

Given these severe financial and operational concerns, potential residents are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution and conduct extensive due diligence. Rather than seeking any promotions, the focus should be on verifying all stated costs, understanding the full terms of any "rent-to-own" agreement, and assessing the true condition of properties and park management firsthand. It would be prudent to have any proposed contract reviewed by an independent legal professional before making any commitments.

For those who still wish to contact Guthrie Mobile Home Park despite the significant and concerning resident feedback, the contact information is as follows:

• Address: 11930 Hazen Ave, Thonotosassa, FL 33592, USA

• Phone: (813) 731-0423

When contacting, it is crucial to be prepared with specific and detailed questions about all the issues raised in the reviews, including maintenance responsibilities, utility billing, rent increase policies, deposit handling, pest control, and the specifics of the "rent-to-own" program. Given the reported unresponsiveness, it might be challenging to obtain clear answers.

Based on the overwhelmingly negative and detailed feedback from current and former residents, it is evident that Guthrie Mobile Home Park is not suitable for local Floridians seeking a reliable, well-maintained, and respectful living environment. The numerous and severe issues reported by tenants paint a stark picture that warrants a strong cautionary message for any prospective resident.

The fundamental problems begin with the reported condition of the homes themselves, which are described as superficially "remodeled" but suffering from serious structural and utility issues that management allegedly refuses to fix. For any Floridian, a safe and functional home is a basic necessity, and the reports of falling floors, rat infestations, termite invasions, and malfunctioning electrical systems are clear indicators of uninhabitable conditions and neglect. The claim that residents are told to fix these issues themselves under a "rent-to-own" scheme, while paying increasing rents, is a serious concern.

Furthermore, the complaints about management and ownership are particularly alarming. Descriptions of owners as "crooks" and "slumlords" who are "rude" and "refuse to work with you at all" highlight a profound lack of professionalism and care. The allegations of arbitrary rent and utility increases, the high and potentially mishandled deposit, and the refusal to accept rent payments leading to eviction proceedings, all suggest predatory practices that could put any tenant in a precarious financial and living situation. For Floridians looking for stability and fairness in their housing, these practices are entirely unacceptable.

The reported lack of basic maintenance, such as untrimmed trees causing power outages, and the general "filth" of the park, further underscore that the living conditions do not meet reasonable standards. A community rife with gossip, unenforced pet policies (where the manager reportedly has 18 dogs while tenants are restricted), and a high number of arbitrary rules creates a stressful and unpleasant atmosphere.

In conclusion, while the concept of a mobile home park can offer an affordable housing option, the actual experience at Guthrie Mobile Home Park, as detailed by its residents, appears to be fraught with significant problems. For locals in Florida, or anyone looking to establish a home, the reported issues with home condition, management practices, financial instability, and overall living environment make this park highly unsuitable. Prospective residents are strongly advised to avoid this location based on the overwhelming negative feedback.