Surrey trailer park without power for 3 weeks

A trailer park in Surrey has been without electricity for 23 days, after a demolition crew accidentally knocked out the power while tearing down old cabins on the property.

The cabins at the rundown Beledean Trailer Park off King George Boulevard and 82nd Avenue had allegedly become dens of drug-dealing and prostitution.

The property owners, brothers Roshan and Suvash Chandar, declined an on-camera interview, but say they've provided a generator to help keep the lights on and are delivering gas for it several times a week.

Resident Stephen Chalmers says it's been dark and cold inside his trailer since the electricity was cut - and tenants are sick of the noise the generator makes all day and night.

"If I want to cook, I have to go outside," Chalmers said. "I can't live like this, they haven't done enough."

Chalmers said he feels that the rights of everyone on the property have been violated.

Living in the dark

Lillian Bailey, 88, has lived at the trailer park for 21 years and has resorted to flashlights to light her home.

"I have never, ever, ever lived like this before in my life... you're living in dark all the time," she said.

Lillian says she's lucky to have a propane cooking stove, but some people in the trailer park haven't had a hot meal in weeks.

"Please, please, please, get the electrical back on again and get a manager on site who we can pay the rent to each month."

The Chandars say they are selling the trailer park. One of them even says he doesn't feel safe going to it, claiming tenants became aggressive with tree trimmers and electricians.

Some tenants have taken their case to the Residential Tenancy Branch and have a hearing on Wednesday.

The City of Surrey says it won't comment on the specifics of this bylaw situation, but insists it's working with the owners of the property right now to resolve this problem as quickly as possible.

Peter Subotic, who has lived at the park for 23 years, says it's been hell since the brothers took over and he can't take it anymore. 

"They don't repair anything. If we don't fix it ourselves, it doesn't get done," he said. "Offer me some money - I'll be happy to leave."

Stephen Chalmers will also be glad to be gone from this trailer park one day.

"Just because I have a low income, it doesn't make me less of a human.

"It's like they don't care. Everyone needs respect."