Many people in Mission have unauthorzied accomodations in their homes.  Here is some good information to keep in mind if the city is not aware of your suite.

City eyes suite deals

 by Carol Aunhttp://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/missioncityrecord/news/90249092.html

Mission Record

Mission council is taking a closer look at secondary suites, and at owners who are avoiding paying the municipal taxes on them.

The topic is expected to draw a lot of interest from the public after the idea was brought forward during public budget consultation meetings earlier this year. Residents asked the district to investigate where secondary suites exist, and make sure those property owners are paying their fair share of taxes and utilities.

The present council has always supported secondary suites, because it is a form of affordable housing, Mayor James Atebe told The Record this week.

It helps those who can’t afford to buy a house, or rent a full one, and it helps make owning a house for affordable, he added.

“It’s a mortgage helper.”

Mission’s Official Community Plan includes a policy supporting suites and requires a subdivision with them to lay out where they are, so the area can be built accordingly to address neighbourhood issues, such as parking.

Registering a secondary suite also helps the BC Assessment Authority more accurately determine the value of your home, as a house with a suite usually has a higher value. On a local level, those with a suite are also required to pay double for garbage collection, and water and sewer services.

Registering is voluntary and Atebe realizes this is a problem.

There isn’t a penalty right now (for unregistered suites), but it’s a common issue in B.C. and even across the country, said the mayor, adding that’s something district staff can investigate.

“We need to find a way... for everyone to fairly contribute to services and amenities, such as playing fields and parks.”

An information report to council Monday night outlined the process used to identify secondary suites, such as looking through advertisements on the internet and in newspapers, and following up on reports to the district, or complaints from neighbours.

According to bylaw enforcement officer Chris Race, 1,529 suspected suites have been identified since 1992. Of those, 859 have been double billed for utilities, 447 were removed or unfounded, 167 exempted and 56 are still in the process.

To date this year, there are also 78 suspected suites, 54 are being double-billed, and there are 119 exemptions.

A house is considered to have a secondary suite usually when there is a separate kitchen downstairs and there is a locked door between the upper and lower floors.

There are, however, some exemptions, such as when the lower floor is clearly used for storage and the homeowner simply wants to keep the suite intact for resale value or future use.

Another issue council needs to discuss is whether or not someone with elderly parents living downstairs, or a nanny, is still considered as having a secondary suite.

“We need to research and define secondary suites,” said Atebe.

District staff will also bring back to council a cost-benefit analysis to determine how worthwhile it is to spend resources tracking down these suites, and whether or not these costs can be recovered.