‘A real strain’: Southridge residents voice frustration over ‘costly’ rules from new owner

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Residents of Southridge Mobile Home Park are raising concerns over new rules requiring “costly” renovations introduced by the park’s new owner.

Compass Communities took over ownership of the Southridge property from Canadian Apartment Properties Reit (CapReit) on January 1st, 2025, and, according to resident Jay Ford, began distributing updated regulations this spring. 

He believes the new rules could require costly renovations or upgrades to many of the park’s roughly 170 homes.

“Even $300 or $400 in expenses can be the difference between paying for utilities, groceries or rent,” Ford told Energeticcity.ca. “We have a mix of income levels and demographics, but we also have a lot of seniors and low-income families here. These changes could be a real strain.”

Ford, who has lived in Southridge since 2022, believes the first notices were issued in early May, with handwritten violation letters sent to residents for items such as RVs parked in driveways.

“Depending on when you moved to Southridge, there are three or four different sets of rules that residents are abiding by,” Ford said. 

“When I asked Compass when these rules changed, I was sent a document that referenced Alberta legislation, not B.C., and it didn’t even apply to our park.”

Compass has since issued updated rules and regulations, which now take effect at the beginning of 2026, with “no expectation to make immediate changes.”

Ford said the regulations require features such as white vinyl skirting, specific outbuilding colour schemes and foundations on steel pilings – a standard he says few homes in the decades-old park could meet.

“Not one unit in this park would be in compliance,” Ford said. “A lot of what Compass is asking to be done would be out of pocket at the tenant’s expense.”

Ford added the handwritten violation notices, which cited the initial rules and regulations, gave residents between two weeks and 30 days to comply. After Ford received a notice with a two-week deadline, he emailed a representative from Compass, who told him they would be willing to work out a more “reasonable timeline.”

Compass then issued the updated set of rules and regulations on September 16th, which will take effect on January 1st, 2026. Ford told Energeticcity.ca the updated rules didn’t differ much from the initial “Alberta-centric” ones.

He said some residents have since launched a petition calling for amendments to the rules. According to Boston Niemi, another Southridge resident, the petition has 20 signatures as of October 7th.

“There’s a lot of anger and fear,” Ford said. “People are worried about what happens if they can’t afford to comply. 

“Southridge is a pretty close-knit community. We have very little nonsense that goes on in the park, and we want to keep it that way. The new owners are making that very challenging.”

In a statement to Energeticcity.ca, Compass Communities chief operating officer Lachlan MacLean said the intent was not to impose sudden costs or renovations.

“At Compass, our commitment is to maintain a safe, respectful and welcoming environment for all residents,” MacLean said.

“We recently distributed updated rules and regulations and want to clarify that there is no expectation to make immediate changes or take on unexpected expenses. 

“These updates are intended to support our community’s standards, not to require sudden renovations. If any individual situations arise, they will be addressed directly, with a focus on fairness and understanding.”

MacLean added Compass “appreciates everyone’s cooperation in making Southridge Estates a wonderful place to live.”

Ford claimed Compass has said it will take resident feedback on board. 

“Apparently, the rules will be amended based on resident feedback, but I don’t know what that looks like yet,” he said. “Right now, it feels like they’re throwing things at a wall to see what sticks.”

The rules and regulations inspired Ford to create a Facebook group where residents of Southridge can discuss the changes. Currently, the group is private and only open to residents.