Question about CPAP/DME laws

I have a bit of an odd question here. I live on the east coast of Florida and am preparing for the possible impact of Hurricane Matthew. I am a CPAP user and could not sleep without it. I was testing my generator today, which I primarily bought for my CPAP. It's a small Harbor Freight 900 watt unit and its pretty quiet. I live in a small mobile home park. When I was testing it the park owner approached me and told me he didn't allow generators at all. My question is would have any legal leg to stand on being the primary use I have for the generator is that I am using it to power a medical device? I know it's a long shot and it may be a bit off topic but I appreciate any guidance anyone can provide. If it matters, I did check with my closest neighbors and they cant even hear it when it was running.

Thanks again!

Did you explain your reasons for it? I live in a manufactured home community and I know others have them. If you explain it is for a medical device that keeps you from stopping breathing when you sleep, they may make an exception. If not, I'll be interested to find out if you have any legal recourse.

Get your doctor to write a letter of medical necessity, and show a copy to your landlord.
Have him and a notary certify that he has received a copy.

I'm not a lawyer, but common sense would be, it's his property, his rules. you would be free to move to a place where you liked the rules. Problem is you live in the U.S.A. where common sense is no longer the rule of law. Make sure the Judge's motor home isn't parked next to yours though..... Jim

Nowdays, no-one's rights are sure things, how sad!

alumascaping wrote:My question is would have any legal leg to stand on being the primary use I have for the generator is that I am using it to power a medical device? I know it's a long shot and it may be a bit off topic but I appreciate any guidance anyone can provide. If it matters, I did check with my closest neighbors and they cant even hear it when it was running.

Going the legal route will cost you more time, trouble, and money than simply buying a battery to power your cpap. Many of us have done just that and there are many posts in this forum if you search for battery, camping, etc.

In fact, I was shopping for a new battery last nite. The hardest part is getting or making a DC power cord to fit you cpap.

My point is the money spent fighting can be spent to buy a real nice battery setup which anyone on cpap should already have.

btw - once the power goes out noise seems to travel farther. So I think its a courtesy to only run any generator during the day, else you will annoy more people than you realize.

Mmm. Interesting. Anything in the lease documents about generators?
I think I would go for a battery to cover short power outages. But if you are hit hard by a hurricane (as many of us in Florida have been) and you are without power for several days, I doubt anyone will care much about a 900 watt generator. Run it during the day to recharge your battery and you'd be set.

I'm somewhat familiar with the ridiculous rules in HOA communities. It's a tough thing to deal with. His recourse would be to take you to court you or evict you. He just can't come and take-steal- your generator. Is he willing to pay a lawyer for that? You are not breaking a law that the police would shut it down.
On the other hand, the rules of the trailer court are there protect you and make it a nice place to live, so you want to get along, within reason.
I'd send the guy a letter, proving your medical necessity, and that you WILL use it only for the cpap IF the time comes. I'd also talk to the neighbors and explain the situation to them and ask if they have any problems with it.

Hope the hurricane does not impact you.