28 May 2013
Waveney MP Peter Aldous welcomes the Mobile Homes Act, which came in to force last week.

Aldous secured the Private Members’ Bill in a ballot in May 2012 concerned about the plight of often vulnerable and elderly residents living in mobile homes in his Waveney constituency and across the country.

Park homes, which are often home to the older generation, offer many people an affordable opportunity to escape to the country. However, some dishonest park home operators abuse their position, bullying and intimidating their residents and manipulating the law to make a profit at their expense. In some cases site owners have abused their role to take advantage of sales of mobile homes at the expense of residents.

The Mobile Homes Act outlines the following provisions:

  • Remove site owners from the park home buying and selling process, meaning that residents cannot be forced to, or prevented from, selling their park homes to fill the landlord’s pocket;

  • It will also be harder to impose unexpected charges or changes of rules; and

  • Local authorities will have more power to enforce breaches, making it easier to prosecute a site owner who harasses residents.


Commenting on the Mobile Homes Act, Mr Aldous said:
“I am very pleased that the Bill has passed its final step of its legislative journey. I was delighted to have had the opportunity to bring forward reforms to the park home sector and to help protect an often vulnerable and elderly group of residents.

“It is high time that the legislation is reformed to tackle the unscrupulous practices of site owners that have for too long plagued the mobile homes industry.

“The Act will make a real difference to the lives of park home owners across the country and I encourage park home residents in the Waveney area to consult the new national helpline to get advice on their rights when selling or gifting their home.”

The new park homes advice line, run by the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), will be available on 0207 383 9800 from Tuesday 28 May.