Surrey RV park owner rescinds eviction notice but not for all residents

Long-term residents atan RV park in Surrey, B.C., are breathing a tentative sigh of relief after the property owner rescinded an order for hundreds of them to leave by May but not all of them have been toldthey can stay, and some are still distrustful.

Earlier this month the Peace Arch RV Park told about 300 residents, some who have lived there for up to 17 years, they had to leave.

The park's administrationsaid the decision was prompted by their discovery ofa bylaw that prohibits guests at recreational sites from staying longer than 182 days.Those who contravene the bylaw face fines of up to $500 per day.

A letter from the Peace Arch RV Park administration dated Monday, Nov.25says staff are "working with the City of Surrey to find a solution to the bylaw issue" and residents no longer have to leave.

But long-time residents Greg and Karona Doubroff, who pay less than $600 a month to rent their RV pad,saythe RV park established years ago that the city wouldn't enforce the bylaw.

In 2011, owners Paul and Anna Yoo issued them a letter that stated "Good news!!!!!! The City of Surrey has informed us that all permanent guests (guests staying more than six months) are permitted to stay as long as desired."

And earlier this month, the city made it clearit's not involved in the dispute between the residents and owners at Peace Arch RV Park and ithas no intentions of enforcing the bylaw.

"We have not approached the property owner or his tenants regarding the use of the RV park, nor have we cited the property owner or his tenants for being in contravention of the bylaw," Rob Costanzo, general manager of corporate services, said in a written statement.

The RV park's former lawyerpreviously told CBC News thatwhether or not the city plans to enforce the bylaw, "the law is the law" and he hadadvised his clients not to contravene it.

'This could all change in a month'

The Doubroffssay it's also not clear why some residents have received the letter and others, like them, haven't. They say the inconsistency has led to further mistrust.

"This could all change in a month," said Karona Doubroff."I don't trust the management and I don't trust the owner even a little bit."

Paul Lagace, a poverty law advocate based in Prince Rupert whohas been working with the Doubroffsand a handful of other residents at the park, said he has heard from others who also say they didn't get a copy of the letter.

"Some of these folks are in a very vulnerable situation," he said. "Ijust think some clarity could ultimately give them some security."

Greg Allen, the new lawyer representing park,said all residents would be receiving the letter by the end of the day on Friday.

Background

The park previously said the eviction notice was the result of a recent decision at B.C.'s Residential Tenancy Branch, which governs tenant-landlord agreements in the province.

SixteenPeace Arch residents filed acomplaint, but the adjudicator ruled they'renot covered by the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act and thus have no rights as tenants.

Lagace says that decision will be going to B.C. Supreme Court for judicial review. The decision only applies to the 16 people who filed the complaint, Lagace says, and he suspects many who live in the park would be considered tenants.

The Housing Ministry confirmed that, as of Friday, the park's owners are still under investigation by the Residential Tenancy Branch's enforcement unit.