New protections for park homes proposed

Friday, 30 July 2004 12:00 AM

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has today outlined new proposals to protect static caravan dwellers from exploitation by caravan site owners.

There are around 93,000 "park home" residents in the UK, living in mobile homes or static housing units on sites for which they pay rent.

Although the value of park homes varies widely, from £13,000 to £200,000, owners have no rights of ownership in relation to the land their homes stand on.

"Park Home Statutory Instruments -England and Wales. A Consultation
Paper on Implied Terms and Written Statement" outlines 22 amendments to the rules governing implied contractual terms. These have not been changed since 1983.

The Government hopes to address the problem of unscrupulous site owners making it difficult for park home owners to sell their properties, which many park home owners and their supporters have complained of for some time.

Clause 185 of the Housing Bill, currently before the House of Lords, would give the Government the power to make Orders changing the implied terms.

The Government is also proposing measures to tighten up the licensing of park owners, and to give local authorities greater powers in relation to them.

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