The park owner’s responsibilities to their residents are largely covered by the agreement that occupiers sign when they move to the park.
The 2013 Mobile Homes Act legislation sets out a new format for pitch fee reviews and specifies what can be included in that review. Site owners have to use a special form to set out their proposals and to obtain the agreement of residents. Once the fee is agreed, residents must pay a pitch fee to the site owner which is, in effect, rent for the land on which the resident’s home stands. The pitch fee can only be changed once a year. And park owners must give residents 28 days’ notice in writing and use a special form – The Pitch Fee Review Form. If a resident and the park owner cannot agree on a new fee, the site owner can apply to a tribunal.
Beautiful open-plan gardens at Leedons Park, Broadway, Worcestershire
Residents have the right to sell their homes on the open market, or give them to family members. The site owner does not have the right to approve the buyer (or family member) but the incoming resident will have to conform to any site rules (e.g. age – many parks are for retired residents only; or pet owners – some parks ban dogs and/or all pets).
Fortunate residents at Norton Manor Park near Presteigne in Powys enjoy fabulous views across the lake
Under the previous legislation, it was already illegal for park owners to evict residents without a court order, harass them into giving up their homes or prevent them from exercising their rights. Now, though, it is illegal for the park owner to give false or misleading information that would interfere with the sale of a resident’s home or interfere with the sale. No longer does the park owner have the right to insist on approving the buyer or demand contact information about the buyer.
Castleton Park at St Athans in the Vale of Glamorgan is a developing park which already has some beautiful gardens
The park owner is responsible for keeping common areas of the park in good condition and repairing, if necessary, the bases on which residents’ homes are sited. They are also responsible for maintaining the services supplied by the park to individual plots (e.g. sewerage).
This unusual park home is at The Wizard Park, Alderley Edge
If a park owner needs to enter a resident’s home or plot to carry out essential repairs, deliver mail and read gas, electricity and water meters, they can do this without any notice between 9am and 6pm. They may also enter at any other time to carry out emergency or essential works, giving as much notice as possible. For any other reason, the site owner must give 14 days’ written notice.
Should the park owner consider making improvements to the park, he/she must give at least 28 days’ notice in writing to residents, let them know how they can make comments and observations and tell them if the improvements will mean a change to the pitch fee.
This block pavior roadway is at Yew Tree Park, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
The written agreement also covers the rights and obligations that the park home resident enjoys. These include such things as the resident’s right to keep the park home on its plot, the pitch fee, other charges and services, and the park rules.
Residents are obliged to keep their homes in good repair and make sure that they are clean and tidy, including any fences or outbuildings.
If you are buying a park home don’t forget to take out specialist insurance cover to protect your home and belongings. Find out more about this on the Leisuredays park home insurance page.
My static caravan plot has a sewer next to it water is seeping from it and it smells. I have reported this several times and nothing has been done. I am worried that if I report this to the environment services the owners will throw us off
All underground services are the responsibility of your park owner.
When you make your complaint do it in writing and keep a copy for your own personal records.
Your local authority should have issued a Site Licence that gives the owner permission to operate a Mobile Home Park and you are entitled to a copy of this. The licence should also be publicly displayed for all residents to have site of.
Go on line and find information on the Mobile Homes Act.
Is the site owner responsible for the upkeep of the roads including access roads on/to the site ?
All repair and maintenance matters on a park home site should be stated in the written statement or ‘pitch agreement’.
I bought my Residential Park Home in 2020 & the driveway is subsiding is it my responsibility to get this repaired? The Park Owners workforce laid the driveway, is it therefore the responsibility of the Park Owner to rectify?
My car was stolen from outside our mobile home at 9.15pm on the evening of 4th August 2019. I watched them drive off in it and had full description of the culprits.My husband telephoned the police, I telephoned security to tell them not to open the gates but no one answered. I did this 28 times in the next hour still no answer. I went down to the security team who were all chatting outside the amusement arcade and asked to see the CCTV footage. After a while I was told there was none as the cameras had not been working for a very long time. Do I have any recompense with the Park?
Sorry to hear about your stolen car Linda and the stress this must have caused. We suggest you seek legal advice on this matter and write to the park group or owner outlining your concerns and details of the incident.
We were unable to locate you as a Leisuredays’ customer on our system, however, if your static caravan insurance policy came with legal cover, you may be able to call the provider of the legal service for advice on the matter.
Hi, I bought a parkhome back in 2004, the p/Home was 30 years old that year! I did not have it surveyed as I wanted it so much. However, after living there for for a few months I noticed a small crack from one end to the other on the base. A couple of years passed and I had the chassi work done as it was expired! ‘No problem there’ it was then I was informed about the crack underneath (on the ground) he informed me to check it out with the site manager. This I did, but he told me it was unfortunate for me as I bought it the year it should of been viewed !’by him I’m assuming’ within the years we have been here, he has arranged on a few occasions to hoist the unit up as it keep subsiding! I’ve now taken a picture inside now as I’ve just had a new floor put down in the hallway and noticed I have a at least one inch gap between the floors, I know if I report this to my site manager he will probably say (again) don’t worry, ‘it’s not going anywhere’. I don’t know how I stand on this but, it is a bit of a worry. By the way, I have put 30 extra supports underneath as the manager told me (years ago) that the furniture etc is heavy for a parkhome. Looking forward to your reply and advice.
We’d suggest writing to your park owner Suzanne and asking for a structural survey to be carried out and to seek further advice from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. You may also need to inform your insurance company about the extra supports as these could invalidate your policy.
Hi
If you pass away can your children then sell your park home
Regards
Barbara
If you own the home it is an asset so would go through usual probate, which would allow the legal owner to sell the park home, if it has been passed on in a will. You can find more information here: https://www.sellmygroup.co.uk/blog/can-a-park-home-be-passed-on-in-a-will/
Our park home is not on a concrete base, lately with the amount of rain we sometimes get we have noticed that a lot of water is collecting in one corner of our park home making the ground muddy. This is worrying us, we don’t want subsidence. We have spoken to site management and they say they are not willing to do anything about it. Help we need advise
You need to check your park agreement but usually, the park grounds are the site owner’s responsibility. We would suggest taking some advice and writing to your park owner outlining your concerns.
Hi. We (several lodge owners)are having constant problems with the site owner. The latest is the septic tank breaking down, owner has blamed nappies and that we (owners of lodges)are liable to pay towards repairs of the tank. He has also requested to see our insurance to cover repairs. Surely, the site owner is responsible for all ground work? Also, under data protection surely he is not entitled to see our personal details of insurance. He has also threatened us of eviction because of noise, yet, theres been no proof, and his own lodge has had noisy guest. Your help is much appreciated.
It’s difficult to know where responsibility for the repairs lies, You would need to check your park agreement. Park operators often need to check that each owner has public liability cover and adequate insurance for replacement of holiday units. Regarding the noise situation, it’s best to talk this through with your park operator and if a solution cannot be reached then seek help from Citizens Advice. If you have legal expenses policy there may be a legal helpline to assist with your query.
Hi I have a park home , in our garden s a large tree , now with all these storms we are having lately I am nervous about the tree coming down on someone’s home, is it the responsibility of items owner to have the tree cut to a safe height , thanks Lynne.
Hi Lynne, check your site licence to see whose responsibility it is.
Please advise what is meant by ‘the base’ regarding a residential mobile home. Is this just the actual area covered by the home itself or does it cover the whole plot on which the home sits? And for which a fee is paid? And is the residential site owner classed as a landlord to whom we pay plot fees?
Hi Jenny, the base usually refers to the plot on which the home sits. Fees are paid to the site owners. These details will be outlined in your site owner’s terms and conditions.
We own a park home and we are having bad issues with very low or no running water, we have asked the site owner and keeps passing the problem to the water company which say the pressure is fine to where it enters the site ,the owner doesn’t seem to care,your thoughts would be appreciated.
We’d suggest continuing to speak further to the park owner to try to reach a resolution or get independent advice from somewhere like the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
Our Site in Sleaford has been purchased by Grosvenor Park Homes a few months ago and since then there has been no communication to individual homeowners whatsoever from them regarding the change of ownership nor any request for site fees. Has anyone else had this experience & where do we stand? Surely the new site owners have a legal and moral duty to inform us of the change of ownership.
Eric
sue curator we have a grass verge in front of our park home for the last two yrs ihave been threatened with physical violence i refused to cut the grass i proved it was parks responsibility i was told by the park manager that if I didn’t cut they would put dog bins, benches directly in front our home also they could cut a lay by for cars has its common land . sorry I’m writing this her husband ,my wife has dementia which makes no difference , the latest thing to happen our electric went off went walked in asked the main man but I said his surname ,saw him next day I was told if I called him again I will get a letter of him please advise
Sorry to hear about the issues you are having Sue. We’d suggest seeking independent advice from somewhere like the Citizen’s Advice Bureau if you’re unable to reach a resolution.
Hi, we have had a static caravan on a site for the past 11yrs. However this year we received a bill for maintenance carried out on our electric meter/box. We have never had to pay a bill for this previously. I am aware we have to have a safety check every 3yrs. But I would have thought any works or checks to the meter outside our caravan would be down to the site owners. Thanks in advance Bryan
Hi,
We live on a residential site for the over 50’s. There is going to be a new owner. He wants to change our gas tank to LPG bottles, putting the maintenance cost of LPG upon the residence. As he say’s it is cheaper. He wants to live on the site for 7 months of the year with his young family. It is also said he is going to change the license away from residential.
Can he do all this.
Many thanks, look forward to hearing your reply,
Phil
Hi Phil, we’re not specialists in the finer details of a park owner’s contractual arrangements. It might be worth seeking advice from the National Caravan Council: https://www.thencc.org.uk/Con_Advice/con_advice.aspx
I have a holiday lodge on a holiday park and have a tree growing over the top of the building The tree is dropping debris over my property. Have I any legal right to get the park owner to cut the tree back as the fall of debris, twigs, branches, etc is causing problems.
Hi David, first step would be to speak to your park owner. Sure they would understand the issue and the risk of branches causing damage to your holiday lodge.
Our Park Home site has a pond which requires electricity to power the pump, filters etc. Due to a dispute over the electricity supply this is no longer happening. Are the Park Home site owners obliged to maintain the running of the pond in all aspects?
You would probably need to check your site agreement Martin, or speak to the park operator.
We have a static home with Park Dean and were given written permission after applying for a pitch improvement. We have done quite a lot of work including installing patio and a feature decorative boat.
We have now been told 6 years later that the then GM had now right to give us permission and we have been told to remove everything. Where do we stand?
Hi Sarah, I’m afraid it’s not something we are able to advise on. It would be worth contacting the National Caravan Council, one of the industry’s main trade bodies to see if they can answer your question or point you in the right direction to obtain professional advice. Call 01252 318251 or email [email protected]
Sarah, we have exactly the same letter from park dean. We specifically wanted the pitch we were on because of the fences which secure our pitch and keep our grand kids in. Now they are looking to take all the fences away. The previous Site manager agreed verbally to lots of work and also handed out workmen cards for decking etc so he would get commission. Now he has left the post, the park are denying any of the verbal agreements are legal and as there is nothing on paper, no one one the park is covered.
Hi can my park owner have a condition survey done on my home inside and out
Hi Ronnie, it might be worth contacting the National Caravan Council, one of the industry’s main trade bodies to see if they can answer your question or point you in the right direction to obtain professional advice: email [email protected]
My electricity meter stopped working and needed to be replaced. I was charged (a lot) for this work. Several people have now told me that the park owner should bear this cost. What is the legal position on this?
Please can you tell me if a person buys a mobile home and finds it is not on a concrete base and uneven ground ( dirt and shingles ) is the owner / manager responsible for the base / pitch if unevenly or unsuitably placed and has caused problems due to the base not level or solid structure?
We would suggest checking your site agreement and if any further issues you could try contacting the National Caravan Council April: https://www.thencc.org.uk/Con_Advice/con_advice.aspx
Can you tell me if you buy into a mobile home ie: thinking you are buying into a quiet over 55s site only to find the manager / owner is buying up old park homes and renting to any age 20 year old etc! And says over 55s if you buy but says if you rent it doesnt apply !! Any age therefore not as you thought over 55s to buy any age to rent !! Is this legal ?and are you entitled to compensation? if you were asked your age etc and only to find a lot of youngsters on site !
Sorry to hear of the issues you’ve been having April. The National Caravan Council have a consumer advice section on their website: https://www.thencc.org.uk/Con_Advice/Cons_HH_FAQs.aspx
We have just purchased a static caravan. The pitch is at a different level from the pitch next to us . There is a drop making it unsafe for me – I am partially disabled. The rest of the pitches on the large site are level with each other. We rent the pitch from the holiday park owners. My husband’s asked the owners to remedy the problem, pointing out that the owners could be liable if I have a fall. Response is that, having reported the problem, we are aware of it, so we are aware of the problem and they are not responsible. This seems very odd to me. Comments, please.
m
Hi, can you clad your park home with a composite cladding? i am further than 20ft between each neighbour, and on our licensing rules it states you can paint or wrap your mobile home, but plse keep within the site colours, HELP
You would need to speak with your park owner for clarification on the site rules.
I live on a park home site and the park owner has piled up a very large pile of dirt just inside the entrance which is now covered in weeds .After speaking to him about removing it his answer is .I’m keeping it as it might come in handy ,it’s very unsightly and not a good impression. There is also a pile of rubbish in the visitors carpark and lots of weeds along the kerb edge around the site ,,his answer to this is that’s our responsibility to keep these clean .The only thing he does for the ground rent is to cut a patch of grass twice a month and this grass patch has a pile of old pallets on it which he just mows around them .
Is there anything we can do to get these things resolved ?
Hi Steve, sorry to hear about the issues you are having. The gov.uk website has lots of information for park home residents in England on their rights and obligations under the Mobile Homes Act 1983: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/park-homes#making-site-rules
The National Caravan Council might also be able to help: https://www.thencc.org.uk/Con_Advice/con_advice.aspx
Hope you manage to get the issues resolved
Liz
Hi I’m hearing the park owner is not allowed to ‘vet’ new owners but how do you actually enforce that?
Our land owner is an awful, terrible human. He is known for it. He wants first refusal on van sale which is fair enough but he offers peanuts and when others have refused and gone to sell privately he sabotages the sale.
He regularly says get your van off site if people disagree with him.
We are desperate to sell but terrified of losing everything.
What can I do?
A new owner may need to sign a new agreement with the park so they are bound by the parks terms and conditions.
If you feel you are being treated unfairly you could always contact Citizens Advice.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/
If you are a Leisuredays customer and have taken our legal expenses option, that cover provides support for consumer disputes. So you could call the customer helpline for that – see our customer helplines here https://www.leisuredays.co.uk/static-caravan-insurance/customer-zone.php
Our site is informing residents that their caravan is too old and have to buy a newer version or leave but then reselling their old caravan to a new resident then giving them 8 years lease. All this is not in the current contract in any shape or form and any one wanting to sell or part exchange are offered about twenty percent ( if that) of the price they will resell said old caravans. The site as old caravans for sale for between 14 and 19k and when asking how much mine is worth I’m told it’s worth nothing. This is unfair, unreasonable and unjust.
Hi Andrew, if you are a Leisuredays customer and have taken our legal expenses option, that cover provides support for consumer disputes. So you could call the customer helpline for that – see our customer helplines here https://www.leisuredays.co.uk/static-caravan-insurance/customer-zone.php
There is also some information on this website that you might find helpful: https://parkhomes.lease-advice.org/article/buying-and-selling-a-park-home-a-brief-guide/
Our site has been left with no gas causing no heating or hot water again this happened last year as well the gas has not been reordered no one will say who’s to blame for the oversight!! Leaving us yet again freezing The gas ran out last week so we have already been without heating for several days
we have been told it will be another week before it is delivered do we have any rights of compensation
This happened last year as well
Simple question. Is the park owner responsible for the plumbing (the outside stopcock) before it reaches the inside of the static caravan? Last time we were there, over a month ago, when I turned off the water supply at the outside stopcock, beneath our static caravan, I noticed a final aerosol spray of water leaking from the joint where the tap meets the pipe that leads up into the unit. I have reported this to the site owner on a number of occasions but they seem to be avoiding the issue, to the extent that I do not even receive a reply to emails – we have yet to return to the site since I first reported the problem. I can call a plumber to do the job but that person will surely have to liaise with the site owner. Advice, please.
Hi Richard
Usually the base is the responsibility of the park but it depends on the agreement with the park. This should specify where their responsibility starts and where yours does.
If you are using a plumber then this would need agreeing with the park as its their land and they should be asking for proof of insurance from the plumber. Many parks have an approved list of tradespeople they call upon.
Hope this helps?
Liz
Interesting points on here, I have lived on my park for many years with good and bad relationships with the owners. The problem now is a boundary fence/hedge. Our side has a fence whilst land/field owned by the site owner has an overgrown hedge, thorns and completely out of control conditions. There are around 20 homes backing onto this field and we are now the only ones with this problem ( has cut back, removed all the other hedges when selling the homes over the past 6/7 years. They seem to maintain it is for wildlife but has I am now having problems trying to cut it back is there a legal position where they must cut it back as they have done along the rest of the field?