Static Caravan Rules & Regulations

[Anne_5065462]

Members of my family own static caravans on a site Worcestershire. Due to the site having new owners, they are now facing problems that they have never faced over the many years they have been there. They were always treated well by previous owners and don't know what their rights are.

The site is open from March to October and my family spend most weekends and an increasing number of weeks during summer, now that they are retired.

Are there any State Rules & Regulations that they can see regarding their tenancy and their 'voice' on any issues. They cannot approach their landlords and they are not alone; many of the other static caravan owners are unhappy.

I am enquiring on their behalf as they do not have the internet, nor a computer for that matter and any information you can offer me, I will pass on to them.

Kind Regards

Anne

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Anne.

I am sorry to read of your folks problems with thier sites new owner. There are some laws concerning tennancy agreements, but they are very much watered down where the period of occupancy is restricted such as on a seasonal caravan site.

The terms of the tennancy will be laid out in the contract your relatives have. It will be necessary to read the small print, which may have provisions for the sale of the site to new owners. but in general seasonal caravan site owners have virtually free reign to set the terms and conditions of any letting they agree. There may be a dispute process laid out in the contract.

I do wonder if the new owners have the intention to seek change of use, such as seeking planning permision for new buildings, and they are hopping to clear the site of caravans by making it unpalitable?

If you are not clear what your rights are, you will almost certainly need to consult a soliciter or perhaps the CAB may be able to offer advice.

 

[woodbush]

try the national caravan council "code of practice for selling and siting holiday caravans" its on the internet at www.nationalcaravan.co.uk. its a voluntary code but many parks have now adopted it. the telephone number for advise is 01252 318251.

i live for 10.5 months a year on the site and they have issued a license agreement and i have no problems.

 

[Damian]

This problem rears its head at very frequent intervals.

The main criteria to establish what is protected and what is not, is , firstly, is the place where the static van sited a "Licenced Residential Home Park"?, or is it a static holiday home sited on a Holiday Park?

The Mobile Homes Act of 1983 protects owners of Residential Park homes, but does NOT apply to Caravan Holiday Homes on Holiday parks.

If the owners of the Static van are on a Holiday Park, then the Park Owners can, and do , change the rules to suit themselves, including , in some instances, who can and cannot purchase the van, at resale time, age of vans allowed on site, stipulations about changing vans etc etc etc., in fact just about every aspect.

Residential Home owners on Licenced Residential Home Parks have a degree of protection against this kind of operation.