Park home contracts

I hope some one can point me in the right direction regarding contracts for park homes and the legislation pertaining to the landlords responsibilities in issuing contracts for residents, and a legal status regarding a large water bill.

1) Do they have to issue one by law?
2) How can you go about getting one if the landlord pont blank refuses to issue it?
3) Any legal ramifications if you do not have one?
4) Who actually enforces the law, the state or the individuals concerned?
5) The landlord requires that the residents pay a VERY LARGE water bill he has just recieved.

There is a genuine reason for the questions, our landlord has never issued, and apparently "never will issue a contract with terms and conditions as the Law does not apply to him"

The residents on site are getting increasingly concerned about this, and other problems which are about to appear on the horizon regarding a large water bill which he has not paid, even though he has been collecting sewearge and water rates off us for the last 5 years, when we joined the site 5 years ago we were told the water and sewarge rates were part of the rent as he had a septic tank on site and the money collected was to pay for the emptying and maintenance and electricity to pump waste, it turns out that nearly 10 years ago he did some pipe work and tapped into the water authorities system for the sewerage without telling them or getting their permission,basically he has been pocketing substantial sums of money for all that time, he has now been found out and Anglian Water are trying to collect money from him, they have only charged him for 2 years as that is all they can prove, he is now telling the residents that they will have to pay this bill, as he is not going to be out of pocket.

WHERE DO WE STAND?

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.

Andy

Hello  Andy  sorry  to  hear  of  your  problem, have  you  seen  the  site  owners  licence  which  by  law  must  be  on  show ?  do  you  have  any  kind  of  rent  book  for  your  site  fees ? he  could  be  in  breach  of  the  conditions  of    his  licence, even  without  a  written  agreement  cirtain  Acts  still  apply..I  believe  the  1968  Act  which  as  some  ammendments  to  the  1983  Mobile  Homes  Act.   Andy  have  you  kept  any  of  the  water  bills  that  you  have  paid  or  maybe  have  bank  statements  of  proof  of  payment.  Im  sure  Ed  could  probably  help  more  than  I  can .....but  Im  sure  you  first  need  to  go  and  see  the  environmental   health  officer  at  your  local  council  ( from  which  the  licence's  are  awarded )  have  a  word  with  him  or  her ....tell  them  your  concerns...maybe  two  or  three  residents  go  along  together...under  his  licence   he  is  not  allowed  to  harass  residents.......it  is  his  mistake   or  underhand  doings  that  have  caused  this  problem  and  he  should  put  it  right.....have  you  thought  of  forming  a  residents  commitee,  if  50%  of  you  join  PHRAA  could  be  the  way  to  go, I  feel  a  little  bit  of  legal  advice  wouldnt  go  amiss....but  your  local  council  will  point  you  in  the  right  direction...its  always  a  good  idea  to  list  your  concerns   so  nothing  is  missed,   wish  I  could  be  of  more  help,  I  know  first  hand  about  nasty  site  owners,  good  luck  hope  it  gets  sorted  out  in  the  fairest  way ....evergreen

Hi Evergreen, we do have rent books but they do not show seperate amounts for ground rent and water -sewerage payments as this is included in the ground rent, we do have a residents association which the landlord has acknowledged as a QRA, we have contacted our environmental officer who has been to the site several times and issued compliance notices regarding remedial work to be carried out, but these mostly get ignored and have not yet been enforced, the site licence is not on display, neither are fire certificates, insurance documents, or contact details for the site owner.
We have contacted our local Mp regarding the problems and he was basically not interested, we are rapidly running out of ideas, I thought about the RPT, but what i have read and understand about this service made me think again, it can make a decision, but does not have the teeth and claws needed to enforce it, if it requires enforcing you then have to go down the route of taking the landlord to court which will cost a tidy sum.

Andy

Hello  Andy  I  think  you  need  to  call  the  shots  with  the  council  and  insist  something  is  done...have  you  tried  the  CAB  they  are  very  good, anything  their  not  too  sure  about  they  will  get  back  to  you...I  completly   understand  your  problem................its  okay  having  all  these  laws  and  rules  for  residents  of  parkhomes, but  trying  to  enforce  them  is  a  different  matter.  When  a  situation  like  this  occurs  its  understandable  to  get  bogged  down  with  all  the  issues, then  it  just  feels  hopeless..but  keep  focused..go  and  see  the  council..tell  them  your  concerns..or  invite  the  environmental  officer  to  mediate  with  residents  and  site  owner, dont  come  away  without  answers  to  these  issues..I  think  you  have  to  stand  your  ground......they  will  spot  a pushover  a  mile  away..and  take  advantage....maybe  Ed  will  be  in  soon , Im  sure  she  will  also  have  some  ideas........sorry  I  cant  be  of  more  help..it  is  frustrating  when those  in  authority  dont   listen , but  keep  at  this  and  Im  sure  it  will  come  right,  if  I  come  up  with  anything  Ile  let  you  know.....good  luck  evergreen

Hi Andy, awful for you all having these worries.  I would get your QRA to formally write to the leader of your local Council and copy the letter to the head of Environmental Services and your local District Councillor and MP again, expressing your concerns about the lack of site licences conditions being adhered to and enforcement notices being ignored and how you are being harrassed by the site owner for charges you are not obliged to pay.  You really need to kick up an almighty fuss and be determined to be heard.

If your water charges are factored into your Pitch Fee, contact Ofwat and explain the situation, they are responsible for protecting consumers who are re-sold water, also contact the water supplier, Anglia and ask them to help you also. I would also contact your local Trading Standards office as we are now classed as consumers and often they can help a great deal.

I wish you success, let us know how it goes.

HI everyone

Sorry for the delay in relying, but I have had to give prioity to personal business. I'm now back and raring to go!

However, well done Labradorfan, your answer was well put. Andy has many problems on his park, which must be stopped NOW!

I just have a couple of additions. Andy, are you the Chairman of your QRA? If not, what is he/she doing about it. If the answer is nothing perhaps someone else should take the job on. The second is, don't forget the Residential Property Tribunal Service, but I fear, with issues as many as these, it would be advisable to contact a solicitor who has the expertise in Park Home Law.

Have a look at the RPT Guide on our website and perhaps contact John CLement of Turbervilles for advice. You can click through to the Turberville website from that page. The Tribunal has already sat on a few issues and we may well start including some of the results on our blog.

Good luck and keep in touch.

Ed.