President’s Report – 2025 Annual General Meeting

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Annual General Meeting. Your continued support is greatly appreciated and benefits all members of the Lower Mainland Manufactured Home Owners Association.

Acknowledgment 

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Board of Directors and Park Representatives for meeting regularly on your behalf. They have worked hard to represent your interests and address important issues throughout the year.

Housing and Park Security

Although the Province of British Columbia and the federal government have mandated cities to increase residential housing, demand for new units appears to have slowed, resulting in fewer development starts. This may reduce the immediate threat of park sales, but we must remain vigilant and continue working toward proper security measures for the eventuality of a sale.

Member Rights and RTB Challenges

Unfortunately, some parks continue to violate members’ rights to quiet enjoyment of their homes, often due to a lack of knowledge or, in some cases, disregard by certain owners and managers. Homeowners have taken these issues to the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB). While arbitration is not a perfect process, with preparation, homeowners have presented their cases as clearly as possible in hopes of a positive outcome.

Re-occurring Issues

Rent increases: how to calculate them and provide proper notice can be problematic for the property managers. You are able to dispute issues at any time, but must pay your full pad fee or you could be in an eviction situation. If you have questions reach out to either the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) or the LMMHOA.

RTB-10 Assignment of Lease to a new purchaser, where some owners or managers believe they can frustrate a sale by refusing to sign. This is not the case; when served properly, if it is not signed it is deemed as being accepted. Another challenge is, realtors are either not familiar with the form or not using it.

Another issue that is developing is the Form 1097 Landlord Consent Assignment, used by banks for mortgage renewals. The BC Realtors Association has also distributed a similar form to park owners, causing inconsistencies and confusion. The BCMHO is aware of this and is working on a strategy to address the discrepancies , hopefully before it impacts out members.

Advocacy and Partnerships

LMMHOA continues to strengthen its relationship with the BC Manufactured Home Owners (BCMHO), highlighting common issues affecting many parks. The BCMHO meets regularly with the province, the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB), and an association of park owners. The LMMHOA represents the homeowners in the parks, assisting with local issues, advocating with governments at the local levels, and offering assistance when dealing with the RTB. We also bring common issues up to the BCMHO to deal with at their level. Homeowners should consider joining both organizations, as this boosts numbers and gives more weight to each when bringing issues forward. Choosing one over the other actually weakens the bargaining positions of both. Recently, we participated in an Arbitration Training session organized by the BCMHO, and we look forward to continuing these efforts to secure better protections for homeowners.

Research and Community Engagement

We are pleased that students from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University are studying the social and economic impacts of manufactured home parks. These studies could provide valuable insights for future advocacy efforts. We hope to receive copies of the results, which will be helpful when engaging with various levels of government.

Government and Elections

Last year’s provincial election brought changes in MLAs and government priorities, particularly regarding housing. There have also been municipal elections, with another scheduled for Surrey in 2026. These shifts must be monitored closely, as changing priorities can significantly impact park development. One project we plan to initiate is creating a list of local political representatives along with their contact information.

Call to Action

At the end of this AGM, we held elections for a new Board of Directors. I strongly encouraged anyone interested to step forward and help. We need a strong network to understand what is happening and how to respond effectively. If you prefer not to serve as a Director or Park Representative, we welcome volunteers for activities such as producing the newsletter or assisting with RTB matters. Thank you again for your commitment to our community. Together, we can continue to protect and strengthen the rights of manufactured home owners across the Lower Mainland.

Every contribution makes a difference.

Ken Bradshaw

President, LMMHOA