Greater protection for at least 200,000 residents of park homes comes into force in England on Sunday 1 October, including a right for qualifying residents’ associations to be consulted by the site owner about the operation and management of their park.

Park Homes, which are by definition caravans used for residential purposes, are found on approxiamtely 2000 sites throughout England.

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, including a presumption that the pitch fee will only be increased or decreased in accordance with the Retail Price Index (RPI).
- 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.
- a requirement that, except in emergencies, a park home may only be moved with the express agreement of the court.

Housing Minister Baroness Andrews said the new measures would significantly improve residents? rights on park home sites. “The changes will make a positive contribution to the development of a growing industry by increasing transparency and introducing significant improvements to the rights of park home owners.”

Changes are also being made to the information that must be included in the written statements setting out residents’ rights and obligations that site owners have to issue to anyone considering buying a park home. This includes information upfront about such matters as the pitch fee and any additional sums that may be payable. The statements will also contain the new implied terms.