mobile home park
📖 What is mobile home park? Meaning and definition
A mobile home park is a site specifically developed for static mobile homes, where residents occupy pitches under a written statement. These parks can vary significantly in size, with some housing hundreds of mobile homes and accommodating many residents. The park owner or operator is responsible for the overall management and maintenance of the site.
Residents of mobile home parks typically pay a 'pitch fee' to the park owner. This fee is subject to review, and disputes over proposed increases are often brought before a First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). The Tribunal assesses the reasonableness of such increases, taking into account factors like the maintenance of communal areas and any additional fees, such as those for council licences.
The Mobile Homes Act 1983 (as amended) provides the legal framework for reviewing pitch fees and other aspects of mobile home park tenancy. This ensures that residents have a mechanism to challenge proposed changes and that decisions are made fairly, considering both the park owner's costs and the residents' concerns about site conditions and services.
Maintenance of the park's communal areas, such as grassed areas, shrubs, and trees, is an important consideration during pitch fee reviews. The Tribunal may inspect the site to assess the standard of maintenance, and evidence of recent works or ongoing issues can influence their decision on the reasonableness of a pitch fee increase.
📋 Requirements
- The site must be a designated area for static mobile homes.
- There is a park owner or operator responsible for the site.
- Occupiers hold a written statement for their pitch.
- Pitch fees are payable by the occupiers to the park owner.
- The Mobile Homes Act 1983 (as amended) applies to pitch fee reviews.
📝 Procedure
- The park owner proposes a pitch fee increase to the occupiers.
- Occupiers may disagree with the proposed increase.
- An application is made to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for a review of the pitch fee.
- The Tribunal conducts a hearing and may inspect the site.
- The Tribunal determines whether the proposed increase is reasonable and sets the new pitch fee.
💡 Examples
- A park owner applied to the Tribunal because some occupiers disagreed with their proposed pitch fee increase for a mobile home park on Canvey Island, which housed 320 mobile homes.
- The Tribunal determined that a proposed pitch fee increase was reasonable, along with a small monthly fee payable by the resident towards the local council licence fee.
- A Tribunal reduced a proposed pitch fee increase after inspecting the site and noting that while some works had been carried out, photographs showed green areas had previously been less well maintained.
- Seven pitch fee reviews were conducted for a mobile home park, with the Tribunal considering submissions from both the park owner and the owners of individual pitches.
📚 Legal basis
- Mobile Homes Act 1983 (as amended)
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is a pitch fee in a mobile home park?
A pitch fee is the regular payment made by a mobile home owner to the park owner for the right to keep their mobile home on a specific plot of land within the park.
Can a mobile home park owner increase the pitch fee at any time?
Pitch fee increases are subject to review, and if occupiers disagree with a proposed increase, they can challenge it through the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) under the Mobile Homes Act 1983.
What factors does the Tribunal consider when reviewing a pitch fee increase?
The Tribunal considers the reasonableness of the proposed increase, taking into account factors such as the maintenance of communal areas, any additional fees like council licence fees, and the overall condition of the park.
What happens if I disagree with a pitch fee increase?
If you disagree with a proposed pitch fee increase, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for a review, as seen in several cases where occupiers challenged increases.
Are there specific laws governing mobile home parks in the UK?
Yes, the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (as amended) is specifically mentioned as the legal basis for reviewing pitch fees and other aspects related to mobile home park tenancies.
Does the condition of the park affect pitch fees?
Yes, the Tribunal often inspects the site and considers the standard of maintenance of communal areas, such as green spaces, shrubs, and trees, when determining the reasonableness of a pitch fee.