Reykjavík to close mobile home community after fire service warnings

Reykjavík is closing the mobile home community at Sævarhöfði after the fire service raised serious concerns about the condition of city-owned buildings, city council chairman Einar Þorsteinsson told mbl.is.

Residents were informed that electricity and water would be disconnected on November 1. The buildings where residents can use a dishwasher and dryer will also be closed.

Þorsteinsson said the city had been forced to close several buildings this summer at the fire service’s request. The city then terminated leases with several groups, including those at Sævarhöfði, Gufunes and Skerjafjörður.

He said the properties had been rented to various groups as part of a measure introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the city had not intended to carry out extensive renovations. The fire service had raised so many objections that the arrangements could not continue, and officials had begun threatening daily fines.

Because the lease at Sævarhöfði has been terminated, there will be no further activity there and the area is set for development, Þorsteinsson said. He added that it was therefore reasonable for the residents to leave, as others would.

There are currently 12 mobile homes at Sævarhöfði. Þorsteinsson rejected a resident’s claim that no alternative support had been offered, saying the city’s welfare department had contacted everyone living there and offered advice and support on housing and their next steps.

He said Reykjavík did not intend to establish a dedicated mobile home park, noting that Icelandic law does not permit long-term residence in mobile homes. He added that the city operates the country’s largest social housing system and supports the development of non-profit rental housing for lower-income groups.