In summary, we discussed Submetering the entire time. I have learned recently that there is at least one moorage on the Columbia which is considering switching to submeters for water. But, even so, the issues around submetering for floating homes just don’t seem to be as big of a deal as they are in manufactured communities because there is no need excavate lawns and roadways to install new and expensive land-based systems whose costs are then passed through and billed back to tenants, and it wouldn’t make sense to install the submeters under our homes which is a real concern for manufactured home owners on land and their sense of monthly meter-reading invasion of privacy.
We did confirm that submetering laws (ORS 90.531 to 541) do apply to floating home marinas, even though much of the current language uses terms such as “space” which sound more park-specific in nature.
Currently, marinas on wells are not allowed to bill for water pro-rata or to submeter – they must include it in the rent. But, that may change during this legislative session. Many of the marinas on the Multnomah Channel, for example, are on wells so currently 90.531 to 541 do not apply to them. But, if the law changes to allow marinas on wells to bill pro-rata or to submeter, then all of 90.531 to 541 would apply to them.
The next MH Coalition meeting is in Salem again on August 14th. The group really intends to discuss Dispute Resolution at that August meeting. THAT IS A VERY important issue for Floating Home Owner Tenants. See you there.