Residential Park Homes

Traditionally called static caravans or mobile homes, park homes vary in size and condition greatly, some resemble bungalows; others are closer in appearance to traditional caravans. Most residents own their park homes. Typically residents enter into an agreement to keep their home on the park and pay the owner of the site a pitch fee.

The rights and responsibilities of park home owners are governed by the 1983 Mobile Homes Act. The Act sets out the right of park home owners to have an agreement with the site owner allowing them to occupy their home on the site as their main residence. The Act covers other issues including security of tenure, the sale of mobile homes and other details of agreements between site owners and residents. The Act applies to privately owned licensed sites and sites in local authority ownership. The Caravan Sites Act 1968 gives park home owners protection from harassment and protection from eviction. It stipulates that a site owner needs to go to court to evict a park home owner on a protected site.

Improved rights for park home residents in Wales

Greater protection for residents of park homes came into force in Wales on 30 November 2007, including a right for qualifying residents' associations to be consulted by the site owner about the operation and management of their park. The changes will automatically apply to all existing agreements and to new agreements. Other key measures include:

  • A right to the quiet enjoyment of the park home together with the pitch and restrictions as to when a site owner may enter the pitch;
  • A pitch fee review mechanism;
  • Removal of the five year rule used in determining whether a home is detrimental to the park. Now only the current condition of the home will be taken into account when the court considers a case; and
  • A requirement that, except in emergencies, a park home may only be moved with the express agreement of the court.

How are sites licensed?

The development of park home sites and their physical standards are controlled through planning permission granted for use of land as a 'caravan site', and the site licensing system under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 (CSCDA). Under the CSCDA all park home sites (excluding those run by local authorities), must have a site license, issued by the local authority, on a park with relevant planning permission. There is no duty on authorities to inspect and monitor parks. Authorities have the powers to prosecute any failure to comply with license conditions and can carry out works in default, but have no duty to do so.

Further information

For more information on Park Homes or Mobile Homes, please visit the Department for Communities and Local Government website (external link) or contact the Private Sector Unit at the Welsh Assembly Government (external link).

A booklet entitled 'Mobile Homes - A guide for residents and site owners' (external link) explains your rights under the Act and provides other useful information.

back to the top