Buying a used modular home in Manitoba may soon be more affordable thanks to the Province's red-tape reduction measures.

After 40 years, Manitoba announced it will modernize manufacturing regulations for both RVs and modular homes.

The news was welcomed by Winkler-based Grandeur Homes.

"We see this as real progress towards parity in relation to factory construction and traditional site construction," Grandeur General Manager Derek Hiebert says.

In the past, unnecessary inspections and requirements on homes built in a factory made it more expensive for used modular homes to be repurchased.

"A lot of the costs were just passed along to consumers," Hiebert says.

In the past, modular homes were categorized similarly to RVs

"We heard this loud and clear in our public consultations," Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen says, adding by updating outdated permit and inspection requirements they will reduce the administrative burden on businesses.

In the past, modular homes were categorized similarly to RVs.

"They're very different products, with very different construction techniques used on both, and for years have been linked very closely together," Hiebert explains.

Manufactured homes and RVs are both currently regulated under the Buildings and Mobile Homes Act. Changes include updating the act's definitions, as well as removing the permit and inspection requirements for the sale of used mobile homes.  

"...to recognize that manufactured homes should be treated no differently than site-constructed homes and other factory-constructed homes," says Adaire Chown, special advisor, codes, and standards, Canadian Home Builders Association. "We look forward to seeing the changes and advising our members."

"These reforms will create a level playing field between mobile home owners and other homeowners who do not require provincial inspections prior to the sale of their home," said Pedersen.

Recreational vehicles will be administered under a new separate regulation within the proposed technical safety act. Changes will include recognizing modern definitions and standards for RVs as well as removing the requirement for a dealer to get a permit and have a used RV inspected by a provincial regulator before it can be sold. RVs include camping trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, motor homes, slide-in campers, travel trailers and park model homes.

Pederson notes these changes are part of an ongoing initiative to reduce red tape across government and will take effect in the spring of 2018.