If you’ve ever looked at listings for Malibu’s legendary mobile home parks — like Paradise Cove or Point Dume Club — you’ve probably seen something called “space rent.” It’s one of the most common points of confusion for buyers. What exactly is it? Why does it vary so much? And is it worth it?
Mobile Homes Malibu is the #1 Realtor for Paradise Cove and Point Dume Club — Malibu’s most exclusive and desirable mobile home communities. Here’s the full breakdown on space rent, straight from Mobile Homes Malibu, so you can understand exactly what you’re paying for — and why space rent isn’t a drawback, but one of the smartest parts of owning in Malibu.
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🏡 What Is Space Rent?
When you buy a home in most of Malibu’s mobile home parks, you’re purchasing the home itself, but not the land beneath it. The land is leased from the park owner, and that monthly payment is called space rent.
Your space rent covers:
• The land your home sits on
• 24/7 gated security
• Road maintenance and landscaping
• Clubhouse, pool, and community amenities
• Direct beach access (in parks like Paradise Cove and Point Dume Club)
In other words, space rent is your “Malibu property tax replacement.” You get the lifestyle, community, and security of multi-million-dollar Malibu real estate — without paying Malibu’s multi-million-dollar land prices.
💡 Tip: Space rent can change with each sale — but parks like Paradise Cove and Point Dume Club are rent-controlled, which means you’ll never face unpredictable spikes once you own.
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💬 Why Space Rent Isn’t a “Red Flag”
Many buyers initially think paying space rent means they don’t own anything. In Malibu, the opposite is true — space rent is what makes these homes possible.
Here’s why:
1️⃣ Lower Upfront Costs – You’re not buying land, so your purchase price is dramatically lower than a Malibu estate.
2️⃣ Locked-In Location – You’re still living in one of the most valuable ZIP codes in the world.
3️⃣ Rent Control Protection – Malibu’s mobile home parks are among the most tenant-protected in California.
4️⃣ Low Property Taxes – You pay taxes on the home’s value, not the land.
The result? You live in Malibu — with ocean views, private beach access, and resort amenities — for a fraction of the typical cost of entry.
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💼 What Affects Space Rent
Every park calculates space rent slightly differently, but these are the main factors:
• Lot Location: Beachfront or ocean-view homes command the highest rents.
• Transaction History: Rent typically resets to market rate when a home changes hands.
• Length of Tenure: Long-time residents often have lower rent under legacy agreements.
• Amenities: Parks with pools, tennis courts, and private beach gates (like Point Dume Club (https://mobilehomesmalibu.com/pointdume/)) naturally have higher base rent.
If you’re buying with Mobile Homes Malibu, our team will show you each property’s current rent, rent-control protections, and escalation caps before you make an offer — so there are no surprises later.
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🧾 FAQs About Malibu Space Rent
Q: Is space rent negotiable?
A: Rarely. Rent is set by the park, though it’s regulated under Malibu’s rent-control ordinance.
Q: Does space rent ever go up?
A: Yes, but increases are capped annually by law and tied to the CPI (Consumer Price Index).
Q: Can I buy the land later?
A: No. In parks like Paradise Cove and Point Dume Club, the land will always be leased. But in Seminole Springs (https://mobilehomesmalibu.com/seminole-springs/), you do own a share of the land through the co-op.
Q: Do I still pay property taxes?
A: Yes, but they’re based only on the home’s value — not the land — which keeps annual costs very low compared to Malibu estates.
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🌅 Why Work With Mobile Homes Malibu
Mobile Homes Malibu is the #1 Realtor for Paradise Cove (https://mobilehomesmalibu.com/paradise-cove/) and Point Dume Club (https://mobilehomesmalibu.com/pointdume/), with record-breaking sales and exclusive off-market listings across Malibu’s premier mobile home parks.
Led by Ren Smith (DRE #01329241), the team combines unmatched park expertise with deep lender and management relationships to guide buyers through every step of the process — including understanding space rent, financing, and park approvals.
📞 Call or text Ren Smith at (310) 567-5704
🌐 https://mobilehomesmalibu.com
Coldwell Banker is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01866771. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.