After months of warnings, power was disconnected at the Crown Villa mobile home park in Vernon, B.C., on Friday due to severe electrical hazards posed by the park’s outdated system. Technical Safety B.C. issued the shutdown after the property owner failed to address multiple safety concerns, despite five years of notices and a final warning issued in December 2025. The unsafe conditions included indoor electrical equipment improperly installed outdoors, exposing it to the elements and increasing the risk of electrical shock and fire. With the power outage, residents lost access to electricity, Wi-Fi, and running water, as the well pump relies on electricity. Property owner Carol Goldstone, who lives on-site and has been fined for safety violations, is currently seeking an investor to fund necessary upgrades estimated at $200,000, but this process could take weeks.
Why It Matters
This situation highlights ongoing issues with housing safety and tenant rights in B.C. Mobile home parks often face challenges related to aging infrastructure and financial constraints, which can lead to hazardous living conditions. Technical Safety B.C. emphasizes that property owners are responsible for maintaining a safe environment, and failure to do so can result in severe consequences for residents. The Crown Villa case underscores the critical need for regulatory enforcement in maintaining housing safety standards and the impact of financial limitations on property management and tenant well-being.
