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Proposed changes aim to bolster housing security
The B.C. Government this morning announced it intends to increase security for owners of manufactured homes by increasing the compensation they will receive if they are forced to move because of redevelopment.
“People deserve to feel safe and secure in their housing. For too long, manufactured home owners have faced uncertainty due to rising land values and redevelopment, and they have not had adequate protections when evicted. No one should have to face financial ruin or potential homelessness when facing eviction from a manufactured home park,” Premier John Horgan said in an April 3 press release “We are taking action to give people increased peace of mind by strengthening protections for owners of manufactured homes.”
The government is proposing changes to the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act that will create fairness for tenants when landlords choose to close or convert a park.
The proposed changes will provide stronger protections for people affected by manufactured home park closures by ensuring the effective date of a 12-month notice to end tenancy is the same for all tenancy agreements under the act and increasing the amount of compensation landlords pay tenants who have been given a notice to end tenancy, in order to convert a park, the government press release outlined.
The changes would also increase the amount of compensation a landlord owes a former tenant if the landlord gave notice, but did not do the conversion and provide additional compensation if a manufactured home cannot be relocated.
Additionally, the proposed new legislation will clarify that a tenant who is unable to relocate their manufactured home is not responsible for disposal costs of the home, stated the government, adding the legislation will be introduced to enact the changes later this month.
“Manufactured homes are an important source of affordable housing often used by vulnerable groups, including seniors, people with disabilities and those on fixed income. The current laws are not strong enough to protect these people, and we are taking action to give tenants the security of knowing they will be fairly compensated if they have to find new homes,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The current Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act
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