The Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013 came into force on 1 October 2014. Park owners of Welsh residential parks will need to ensure they are familiar with the provisions of the Act to ensure they remain compliant.
The main features of the new laws are:-
1. Site owners will be required to apply for a licence from their local authority to operate a site. The licence to last for up to 5 years.
2. Site managers will need to be a “fit and proper person” before given a licence.
3. There is a procedure for residents to sell and gift their homes.
4. Local authorities will be able to inspect sites and issue a fixed penalty notice if appropriate when conditions of the site licence are not being met.
5. Local authorities will be able to issue compliance notices in more serious circumstances if conditions are not being upheld.
6. The pitch fee may only be increased in line with the Consumer Prices Index.
7. The Residential Property Tribunal has jurisdiction to deal with most disputes arising under the Act.
8. Local authorities will have 6 months from 1 October 2014 to re-licence all sites and park owners will have 12 months in which to undertake a consultation process with their residents on new site rules.
Mobile homes – Know Your Rights
The Welsh government has issued a publication aimed at homeowners entitled “Mobile Homes – Know Your Rights”
The publication briefly sets out the changes brought about by the new Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013 and says that further information sheets will be available from 1 October 2014 although currently none have been published.
Park owners who own parks in England and Wales will need to ensure that they are fully aware of the differences in the laws applying to parks in England and Wales and will need to ensure that the appropriate paperwork is being used.
We have specialists in the park home sector that can be contacted on 01392 210700, email parks@stephens-scown.co.uk
For further information on holiday and park home industry issues for park operators, please contact 01392 210700 or email parks@stephens-scown.co.uk.