Park Home Residents News

 The World of Park and Leisure Home Show , 12th June to 14th June 2026 ,  Stoneleigh Park,     Warwichshire.        Free to enter, Free Parking and Dogs welcome,                                                                                                               Why not pop along and say  Hello to Beryl and Barry Haywood, our  membership     and NAPHR Committee Members who will be there to welcome you and offer the opportunity to become a  member of NAPHR and tell you about the service that NAPHR provides for its members. 

 RPI Rate to CPI Rate in Scotland  – The legal basis for annual pitch fee increases on Residential Park Homes officially transitioned from the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to the lower Consumer Price Index (CPI).

This change ensures that the ground rent increases are in line with standard inflation rates. The implementation date for this change took place on April 1st 2026. The CPI rate applies to any pitch fee review notices issued on or after April 1st .

 Government Call for evidence  – NAPHR would like to notify its members of the recent movement made by the Government in addressing the 10% Commission payable to Park Owners on the sale price of their home. Over the years, this issue has generated considerable debate amongst residents and park owners. There has been limited evidence and clarity available relating to how the commission rate is determined and how it is calculated and the rational for the payment.                                                                                                                  This latest ‘Call for Evidence’ from the Government is a follow up from the Housing Minister’s announcement last year to provide clarity on the purpose of the charge.                                                                  It is a survey to collate feedback and for Park Owners to prove the purpose of this payable commission charge.                                                                                                                                                                                  Should you wish to take part in this ‘call for evidence’ , which is completely voluntary, you can use the link below and complete the government survey. It is , however, aimed towards Park Owners. The window for completing will be 29th May 2026.                                                                                                                                    

CPI Rate – It has been bought to my attention that there was an error made on the CPI rate published for Jan 2026, the correct rate was 3%. I apologise  for any inconvenience this may have caused.

February 2026- Ground Rent Cap

On the 27th January 2026 the Government issued a Leasehold reform Bill and implemented a cap on ground rents at £250 per year. This reform primarily affects residential leases of a dwelling and unfortunately exempts Mobile Homes. 

According to the Mobile Home Act 2013 park homes are generally considered neither freehold nor leasehold because residents buy the structure but not the land it sits on. The land remains the property of the park owner , and residents pay a ‘pitch fee’ rather than ground rent.

August 2025 – Warm Homes Grants

If you live in a residential park home and pay for your electricity through the site owner, you may be eligible for a one-off £150 payment to help with your energy costs.

The Park Homes Warm Home Discount Scheme 2025/26 opens for applications on 27 August 2025. Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply here: charisgrants.com/partners/park-homes

What is the Park Homes Warm Home Discount?

Many park homeowners don’t have a direct account with a UK energy supplier, which means they can miss out on mainstream discounts. This scheme, introduced by Charis in partnership with Ofgem, helps ensure park residents are not left behind.

Who is eligible?

• You may qualify if:
• You live permanently in a park home in England, Wales or Scotland
• You pay the park site owner for your electricity
• You pay council tax (or receive a council tax bill)
• You receive means-tested benefits or have a household income below £20,328
• Qualifying benefits include:
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit (with monthly earnings under £1,694)
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit (income under £20,328)

Alternatively, if your total household income is under £20,328 before tax, you may also be eligible.

Full eligibility criteria available at:

charisgrants.com/partners/park-homes

How to apply

Visit the official Charis website and complete the new, simplified online form:

charisgrants.com/partners/park-homes

You’ll need:

• An email address (to receive confirmation and updates)
• Your bank details (for payment, if successful)
• Supporting documents (if requested) such as proof of benefits or income
• If you need help applying, Charis offers phone support Monday to Friday, 9 am–5 pm, on 01733 797543.

What happens after you apply?

You’ll receive an email confirming your application. Some applicants may be asked to provide supporting documents. Be sure to check your inbox (and junk folder) and respond if requested, as failure to do so may result in missing out on the payment.

When will the payment be made?

If successful, you’ll receive a £150 payment directly into your bank account by 31 March 2026.

This scheme can make a real difference to residents over winter. Please share this with neighbours or family members who may be eligible.

April 2025

Grants of up to £30,000 are on offer from local authorities to make your home warmer and more energy efficient. The grant can be used to help pay for upgrades including insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/warm-homes-local-grant/

January 2025

We have been informed that there is still money available in the The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme 2024/2025.  For full details please see the information under the heading October 2024 below.

October 2024

The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme 2024/2025

The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme 2024/25 is opening on Wednesday 2 October! If you’re a permanent resident living in a park home in England, Wales or Scotland and you pay the park site owner for your electricity usage, you can apply for a £150 payment to help towards the cost of your energy bills. Funding is limited, and applications will be considered on a first come first served basis.

What is the Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme?

This scheme helps park home residents who are struggling with their energy bills and don’t have an electricity account with a UK energy company. Charis introduced the Park Homes Warm Home Discount in 2016 in partnership with Ofgem to allow Energy Companies help fuel-poor Park Homes residents in England, Wales and Scotland.

Who can apply?

You can apply if you are permanently living in a park home, pay council tax, and either receive means tested government benefits or tax credits, or have a household income of less than £19,978.

Who qualifies?

You may qualify for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount if you (or a household member) receive one of the following:

• Pension Credit
• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Support
• Universal Credit showing an earned income between £0 and £1,665 a month
• Child Tax Credit by virtue of an award based on an annual income not exceeding £19,978
• Working Tax Credit by virtue of an award based on an annual income not exceeding £19,978
• Housing Benefit (or Housing element if receiving Universal Credit)

Or:

The Total Gross annual household income across everyone living in your household is below £19,978 (before tax and deductions)

How can I apply?

You can apply online at www.lightningreach.org/charis. It’s important that you have a valid email address so you can receive the decision outcome and any requests for information to support your application. To make an award directly to your bank we will also need your bank account details, as shown on either your bank card, bank passbook or account statement.

Application form

Our application form is hosted by our partner Lightning Reach. Lightning Reach specialises in helping people facing financial hardship to access support from energy providers, local authorities, housing associations and other organisations.

It is simple to set up an account.

Once you have your account set up you will then be able to fill out the Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme application form to apply for your £150 payment.

Need help?

The easiest way to apply for a Warm Home Discount payment is online but if this is difficult, you need help completing the application form or if you have any questions about the scheme, our support team is available Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00 on 01733 797543.

What happens next?

We’ll send you an email acknowledging your application and we will double-check that you meet the eligibility criteria.

You may be asked to send evidence

Charis will contact some customers to provide evidence of their benefits and income to support their application. Don’t worry if that includes you.

We’ll contact you by email to explain what’s needed and how to provide it. Just be sure to keep an eye on your inbox and junk folder. It’s important that you reply, or we won’t be able to award your application.

When will I get the £150 payment?

Funding is limited and applications will be considered on a first come first served basis. If successful a payment of £150 will be made directly into your bank/building society account by 31st March 2025. We can only make payments into a UK bank/building society account.

August 2024

Winter Fuel Payments – https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/

March 2024 – APPG Draft Minutes

https://www.parkhome.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DRAFT-Minutes-APPG-290124-FINAL.pdf

March 2024 – BBC Panorama

Monday 11th March at 20:00hrs – BBC 1 – Panorama – The Mobile Home Swindle

Hundreds of thousands of people own mobile homes and caravans in the UK, but some discover they don’t have the right to call them home. Reporter Rory Carson meets the caravan park residents who say they have been mis-sold their properties and falsely promised they could stay in them for the rest of their lives.  He also investigates the site owners who have been accused of cheating people out of their life savings

February 2024 – Royale Life Parks

• In May 2023, administrators were appointed for 29 companies in the RoyaleLife Group. Each of the companies owns and operates one or more caravan sites, 13 of which are residential sites.
• Residents living on RoyaleLife parks were concerned about the future of the sites and whether they would have their agreements terminated. Those developments also had implications for local authorities in relation to their site licencing and fit and proper person test functions.
• In November, we sent local authorities and residents a factsheet which aimed to address residents’ concerns and the implications for local authorities’ site licensing duties.
• This additional factsheet provides further advice following a Press Release on 22 January from the administrators James Cowper Kreston, that all the sites have now been sold to Ambassador Regency Group.

• Following the sale of the parks, the administrators role will come to an end. The Administrators will be expected to transfer the site licence to the new owner to enable them to start managing the site. The new owner must also apply to the local authority for themselves or the person appointed to manage the site, to be assessed as fit and proper. The site owner also has an obligation to notify residents and any Qualifying Residents’ Association of their address in England at which residents can serve a notice on the site owner.
• Residents will not require a new written agreement from the site owner and their rights and obligations will remain unchanged. If residents need any advice about their rights and obligations they should contact the LEASE, the free independent advisory service on telephone 020 7832 2525 or online at Home – Park Homes (lease-advice.org).

• When the administrators took over the site, the site licences for all the residential should have been transferred to them and they should have been assessed as fit and proper and placed on the register. It will be the new site owner’s responsibility to ensure that the site licences are transferred to them and that they have applied to the local authority for them or a person appointed to manage a site, to be assessed as fit and proper to manage the sites.
• If local authorities have not yet been contacted by the new site owner, we would encourage them to contact the Administrator and remind them of the new site owner’s obligations and that the new site owner will be committing an offence if they operate the sites without a site licence and without having been assessed by the local authority as fit and proper to manage the sites.

• Will residents have to be given new or amended agreements by the new site owner?
• No. Residents will not have to be given new or amended agreements by the new site owner. The new site owner will take over the previous site owner’s obligations which are set out in a resident’s existing written agreement.

1. Can the new site owner terminate a resident’s agreement?

• The new site owner can only terminate an agreement on three specific grounds which are set out in a resident’s written agreement. In all circumstances, the site owner will require an order from the court.

2. Will residents’ rights and obligations change?

• No. Residents’ rights and obligations will remain unchanged. If a resident requires advice about their rights, they should contact the free independent advisory service, LEASE, online at Home – Park Homes (lease-advice.org) or by telephone on 020 7832 2525.

3. What should residents do if they have concerns about the safety of the site?

• Residents should initially contact the site owner with concerns about conditions on the site. If these are not addressed or the conditions pose an immediate danger to residents, they should contact the local authority immediately.
• What are the Administrators responsibilities now that the sites have been sold?
• The Administrators responsibilities for managing the sites will end following the sale. They will however remain responsible for any breaches of a site’s licence conditions until the licence has been transferred to the new owner.
• What will the new site owner be required to do before they can manage a site?
• It is the new site owner’s responsibility to ensure the site licence is transferred to them and that they understand their obligations. The new site owner or the person they appoint to manage the site, will also be required to undergo a fit and proper person assessment. If they fail to do any of these, the site owner will be committing an offence.
• What must a local authority consider when considering the site licence transfer application and the fit and proper person application?
• There are a range of factors a local authority must take into account when considering the two applications. They include whether the site licence holder has a sufficient interest or estate in the site, the funding and management structures arrangements in place for managing the site, their competence to manage the site and whether they have certain criminal convictions.
• Guidance is available for local authorities on assessing both types of applications.

January 2024 – RoyaleLife Sites Acquired By Ambassador Group Founder

Click here for further information

January 2024 – Check to see if you can get £150 energy bill discount

People on low incomes urged to check if they can get £150 energy bill discount – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This funding is closed as of 29th February 2024

December 2023 – Tingdene Homes Liquidation

Tingdene Homes, a well-known name in the mobile home manufacturing sector, has faced challenging times.  As of 20th December 2023, the company has ceased trading and entered liquidation.

Here are the details:

• Liquidation: This process involves shutting down a business so that it stops operating and sells its assets to pay any debts.  In the case of Tingdene Homes, the formal appointment of the liquidator occurred on 21st December.
• Specialist business advisory firm Frp Advisory Trading Limited, 4 Beaconsfield Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3RD has been asked by Tingdene Homes’ directors ‘to support the entry of the company into liquidation’.

Tingdene Homes was founded in 1969 and had been a significant player in the park home and lodge manufacturing industry. However, these recent developments have led to its closure.

The Park Home & Holiday Caravan Magazine website and their social media channels are a good source of up to date information about Tingdene.

Tingdene have in the past been associated with many other company names. This statement is in respect of TINGDENE HOMES LIMITED only.

The liquidation is the manufacturing arm of Tingdene and is not connected to Tingdene Parks Ltd which is still operating.

November 2023

Government Factsheet for Royale Life Park Home Owners – click RoyaleLife Factsheet

November 2023

For the draft minutes of the latest meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group – Park Homes please follow this link

DRAFT-Minutes-APPG-Park-Homes-11-September-2023.pdf (parkhome.org.uk)

October 2023 – The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme 2023/2024

The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme 2023/2024

The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme 2023/2024 is open from Monday 16^th October! If you’re a permanent resident living in a park home in England, Wales or Scotland and you pay the park site owner for your electricity usage, you can apply for a £150 payment to help towards the cost of your energy bills. Funding is limited and applications will be considered on a first come first served basis.

Introducing Lightning Reach – Charis’s partner for The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme

This year our online application form is being hosted by Charis’s partner Lightning Reach.  Lightning Reach helps people to find and apply for a range of financial support in one place, quickly and safely.

What is the Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme?

Charis introduced the Park Homes Warm Home Discount in 2015 in partnership with Ofgem, to allow energy companies to help fuel-poor park homes residents in England, Wales and Scotland who pay for their electricity via their park site owner.

Who can apply?

You can only apply if you are permanently living in a park home.  We may ask you to evidence that you (or a household member) pay Council Tax or receive Council Tax support, a discount, or a reduction.

You must pay for your electricity via your Park Site owner. You cannot apply if you pay your electricity bills directly to a UK energy company.

Who qualifies?

You may qualify for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount if you (or a household member) receive one of the following:

How can I apply?

You can apply here. It’s important that you have a valid email address so you can receive the decision outcome and any requests for information. To make an award directly to your bank we will also need your bank account details, as shown on either your bank card, bank passbook or account statement.

Here’s how it works:

1. First, sign-up and complete your profile by answering a series of simple questions. This usually takes 10-15 minutes.   When asked about housing status, please make sure to choose the option “Park home / static caravan / mobile home”.
2. Once you’ve completed your profile, you should see a support match to the Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme. Click ‘Continue’ to fill in some additional questions and submit your application.

In addition to the Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme, you may also get matched to a range of support suited to your profile and circumstances.  This could include grants from charities, funding from your local council and help with your bills.

You can return to your Lightning Reach dashboard to find out more and apply for additional support.

Need help?

The easiest way to apply for a Warm Home Discount payment is online but if this is difficult, you need help completing the application form or you have any questions about the scheme, our support team is available Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00 on 01733 797543.

What happens next?

We’ll send you an email acknowledging your application and then double-check that you meet the eligibility criteria and that only one application has been made per your household.

You may be asked to send evidence

Charis will contact some customers to provide evidence of their benefits and income. Don’t worry if that includes you.

We’ll contact you by email to explain what’s needed and how to provide it so please check your inbox and junk folder. It’s important that you reply, or we won’t be able to consider your application.

When will I get the £150 payment?

If your application is successful, a payment of £150 will be made directly into your bank or building society account by 31^st March 2024. We can only make payments into a UK bank/building society account.

August 2023 – Royale Life Update

Royale Life Group

Paul Davies, Sandra Mundy and Tom Russell of James Cowper Kreston were appointed administrators of the following companies listed below in the Royale Life Group (the Companies) on 15 August 2023 and are managing the businesses, affairs and property of the Companies and its agents without personal liability.  All the administrators are licensed to act as insolvency practitioners in the UK by the ICAEW and are bound by the Insolvency Code of Ethics.

Royal Park Home Estates Limited, Royale Parks (Cheshire), Oakham Grange Limited, Sherwood Court (Newark) Limited, Royale Park Estates Limited, Redhill Residential Park Limited, Dunton Park Caravan Sites Limited, Plum Tree Country Park Limited, Royal Parks (Reculver) Limited, Royale Parks (Christchurch), Bordon Park Limited, Milford on Sea Park Limited, Deers Leap Limited, Dorset Caravan Park 3 Limited, Beacon Hill Caravan Park Limited, Dorset Heights Caravan Park Limited, Time GB (North Lodge) Limited, Royale Parks (Dorset) Limited, Fort Caravan Park Limited, Dorset Caravan Park 5 Limited, Christchurch Marina Park Limited, Frensham Country Park Limited, IOW View Caravan Park Limited, Budemeadows Country Park Limited, Lifestyles Sites Limited, Royale Park Homes Limited, Royale Parks (Devon) Limited, Royale Parks (Dolton) Limited, Stroud Heights Caravan Park Limited, Waterside Country Park Limited and North Boarhunt 1 Limited

Where these companies operate park homes or holiday homes it is envisaged that they will continue to operate as previously. If you have any queries please contact us using the link below to enable us to direct your query as effectively as possible:

Contact Us https://www.jamescowperkreston.co.uk/royalelife/?fbclid=IwAR07GuuZWHWgQ_t0YdI5CEvUuK8mObDmEt2g7UuF4vA11uoEMvlQlqfs1po

Call for input on the Non-Domestic gas and electricity market | Ofgem

July 2023 – Domestic Consumers with Non-Domestic Contracts – Call for Evidence by Dept for Energy, Security & Net Zero

Domestic Consumers with Non-Domestic Energy Contracts

July 2023 – Royale Parks Ltd – Adminstrator’s Proposal

Royal Parks Ltd – Administrator’s Proposal

July 2023 – Call for Parliament to Reopen Energy Support Scheme

BBC Radio 4 – Money Box, Call to Reopen Energy Support Scheme

July 2023 – All Party Parliamentary Group – Park Homes

Draft Minutes for meeting held in April 2023  APPG-minutes-17-April-2023.pdf (parkhome.org.uk)

June 2023 – RPI/CPI Scotland

June 2023 – Minutes of April Meeting of the APPG Park Homes

APPG-minutes-17-April-2023.pdf (parkhome.org.uk)

June 2023 – Cold Callers

May 2023 – £200 and £400

May 2023 – Bulletin from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Bulletin from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero – May 2023

May 2023 – Royale Life Update

May 2023 – RPI to CPI Letter from DLUHC

Dear park home resident,

The Government committed to introduce legislation to change the inflationary index used in pitch fee reviews from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the lower Consumer Price Index (CPI).

I am writing to inform you that the change will be introduced by the Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act 2023, when it comes into force on 2 July 2023.

 What this means for you as a park home resident is that on and from 2 July 2023;

• the inflationary index to be used by site owners in all pitch fee reviews will be the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• residents should check the pitch fee review form to ensure that CPI has been used in the calculation of the proposed pitch fee.
• If a site owner uses RPI in the calculation of the pitch fee from that day, the pitch fee review will be invalid and the resident does not have to pay the proposed increase. They must however continue to pay the old fee until the First Tier Tribunal makes a determination.
• A site owner cannot also pass on to residents through the pitch fee, any amount to compensate them for any financial loss arising from the change.

 What happens next

• Pitch fee reviews will continue as normal. This means that in any review which is started between now and 2 July 2023, the site owner can use RPI in the calculation of the proposed pitch fee.
• Regulations will shortly be made to change all references in the current pitch fee review form, from RPI to CPI. The consolidated implied terms will also be updated to reflect those changes. The revised pitch fee review form and the consolidated implied terms will be published on GOV.UK website on 2 July 2023.

Attached to this letter are questions and answers regarding the changes which I hope you will find helpful. If you require further advice on the proposed changes or your rights, you can contact LEASE, the free independent service on telephone 020 7832 2525 or through their website at https://parkhomes.lease-advice.org/.

Yours sincerely

William Tandoh

Park Homes Policy Team

 Q & As – Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act 2013

Q: What changes will the Act introduce?

• The Act will:
• change the inflationary index used in pitch fee reviews from the RPI to CPI;
• prevent the difference between RPI and CPI from being passed on to residents

Q: When will the changes come into effect?

• The Act will come into force on 2 July 2023. On or after that date, CPI must be used in all pitch fee reviews.

 Q: Will site owners be permitted to pass on any loss of income as a result of the changes, to residents through the pitch fee?

• Site owners cannot pass on any loss of income as a result of the changes, to residents.

Q: How can residents be sure the site owner has not passed on any lost income through the pitch fee?

• To conduct a pitch fee review, a site owner is required to use a pitch fee review form which must show how the pitch fee has been calculated.
• Before agreeing to the proposed pitch fee, residents should check the form carefully and read the notes attached to the form, to ensure that only matters that can be taken into account in a pitch fee review have been used in the calculation.

Q: What should I do if such an amount has been included in the calculation of the pitch fee?

• If an amount representing a loss of income to the site owner as a result of the changes is included in the calculation, the resident does not have to pay it. The resident must however continue to pay the old pitch fee.
• The site owner can then apply to the First Tier Tribunal to seek its determination of the pitch fee.
• If the First-tier Tribunal determines that a site owner has included an amount in the pitch fee to compensate them for the financial loss arising from the RPI/CPI change, it will deem the amount to be unreasonable and remove the relevant amount from the pitch fee.

Q: If a pitch fee review notice is issued before the Act comes into force, will the site owner have to issue another notice to take account of the change?

• No, the site owner will not have to issue another pitch fee review notice if they issue one before the Act comes into force.
• Pitch fee reviews which started before 2 July, will use RPI in the calculation of the proposed pitch fee. At the next pitch fee review, the site owner will have to use CPI.

 Q: When must a site owner start using CPI in a pitch fee review?

• If a pitch fee review notice is issued before 2 July, the site owner will calculate the proposed pitch fee using RPI.
• If the pitch fee review notice is issued on or after 2 July 2023, the site owner must use CPI to calculate the proposed pitch fee.
• They must also use the updated pitch fee review form which refers to CPI instead of RPI. The form will be published on GOV.UK on 2 July 2023.
• If a site owner uses the old form, the pitch fee review will be invalid and the resident does not have to pay the proposed pitch fee.

Q: What changes will be made to the pitch fee review form?

• First, all references to RPI in the form will change to CPI.
• Second, the form will be 6 pages instead of the previous 8 pages.
• Third, in the notes on page 5 under the section titled ‘Matters that cannot be included in a pitch fee review’, there will be an additional bullet point which makes clear that any costs relating to any financial loss arising from the change from RPI to CPI, cannot be included in a pitch fee review.

 Q: Does my site owner have to give me a copy of the updated consolidated implied terms?

• No, your site owner does not have to give you a copy of the updated implied terms.

 The implied terms will be published on 2 July 2023 on GOV.UK and will automatically apply to all written agreements.

 Should my site owner give me a new written agreement as a result of the changes from RPI to CPI?

• No, your site owner does not have to give you a new agreement.
• If your site owner gives or offers you a new written agreement, do not sign or accept it.
• If you need any advice about your rights you can contact LEASE on telephone 020 7832 2525 or through their website at https://parkhomes.lease-advice.org/.

May 2023 – Royale Life

Administrators have been appointed to Royale Life (the people who advertise their park homes as bungalows).  Royale Life failed to sell or refinance their 3 billion portfolio.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities are aware of the position.  The sites will continue to be managed until another arrangement is found.

We have been advised that going into administration means that residents agreements do not come to an end.  The administrator appointed to manage the company will take over the agreements residents had with their site owners.  Do not do anything that would result in breaking the terms of your Written Statement.

If you own a home on a Royale Life site then you should not be alarmed.  If you are in the process of buying or selling a home on one of their sites then you’re advised to immediately seek legal advice.

May 2023 RPI to CPI

April 2023 – Energy Support Scheme

If you are entitled to support from the Energy Support Scheme and have not already applied for either the £400 and/or the £200 Alternative Fuel Support please be aware that the closing date for applications for both grants is 31st May 2023.

March 2023 – RPI to CPI Update (24th March)

THE MOBILE HOMES PITCH FEE BILL has just passed through Parliament.  Now, only the KING has to sign it and it will become law 2 months after his signature.

Our thanks go to Lord Udny-Lister who steered it through the House of Lords and Sir Christopher Chope MP who steered it through the Commons.

March 2023 – Alternative Fuel Payment

You can now apply following this link:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-alternative-fuel-bill-support-if-not-automatic

You will need copies of your alternative fuel payment receipts totalling £200 or more since September 2022 to submit online.  The Help line is 0808 175 3943.

February 2023 Minutes of All-Party Parliamentary Group on Park Homes October Meeting

These minutes have just been made available. https://www.parkhome.org.uk/appg/

February 2023 – Energy Bill Support – The application process is now OPEN

Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

February 2023 – Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Bill – Updated

The Mobile Homes Pitch Fees Bill passed through Committee Stage in the House of Lords this afternoon (22nd February) and will now go for its third reading on 24th March.

(Changing the inflationary index for pitch fees from RPI to CPI)

The Bill has been brought forward and will now reach COMMITTEE stage in the House of Lords , on Wednesday 22nd February.

The meeting starts at 3pm and will be screened on Parliament Live TV ( What’s on – UK Parliament )

February 2023 – Guidance on Application Form for £400 from 27th February

Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

February 2023 – RPI to CPI Update

January 2023

The Right Honourable Graham Stuart MP (Beverley and Holderness Conservative) announced today in the House of Parliament that the application process for the £400 will now not be available until 27th February.  Several MPs expressed great concern.

To listen to the session please follow this link and start watching at 13:20:45   https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/9b8ec96e-08bc-48a8-b970-a7c8130d8afa  

January 2023 – SCOTLAND RPI/CPI/CPIH Consultation

For full information please see the link.  The consultation closes 7th April 2023

https://www.gov.scot/publications/mobile-homes-pitch-fees-consultation-index-annual-uprating/

January 2023 – RPI/CPI

The House of Lords will be discussing this on 3rd February – Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Bill – second reading – Lord Udny-Lister. Legislation; 10:00 am.  It should be possible to watch this on the Parliamentary TV Channel

January 2023 – new Energy Bills Discount Scheme – announced 09/01/2023

• “There are some domestic customers who receive energy bill support via the EBRS, including those in park homes and heat networks. The government is developing options to ensure domestic consumers on a non-domestic meter continue to benefit from support in line with other domestic users after April.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-unveils-new-energy-bills-discount-scheme-for-businesses?fbclid=IwAR0UJ7EohNJDB3YZLbmVBAyKX6QaiH-T5cXjFZhfDiHeFp_PLwihy7-lydE

December 2022 – Warm Homes Discount Scheme – Extended to 30th March 2023

I am pleased to announce that Charis will be offering the Park Homes Warm Home Discount 2022/23 rebate to a limited number of park home residents in England, Wales and Scotland. They have received enough funding to provide an estimate of 3000 awards.

They aim to open the scheme on the 19^th December and close around the 30^th December  The Charis website (charisgrants.com) will be updated to provide access to the online form in due course.  Please see  ( https://www.naphr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-Information.pdf) for information about the scheme and how to apply.  Please note that Charis will not be providing Telephone sign-up this year so you may need support in making an application.

Web charisgrants.com

Charis Grants Ltd, Trinity Court, Trinity Street, Peterborough PE1 1DA

December 20th – Utility Grant + Benefit Update

Energy Support – Park homes GUIDANCE

 Update – December 2022

The government has already announced that it will provide a £400 discount to park home residents to help with their energy bills.

Details of the discount and other ways in which park home residents will be supported were made available in the November guidance.

This document provides a brief update on the delivery of the payment.

————————————————————————————————————–

How will the payment be delivered?

• The government has worked through a number of alternative delivery options and has concluded that the best way to deliver the scheme is through Local Authorities, who are best placed to process applications and carry out verification checks.

What is the process for claiming the money?

• All eligible households will be required to apply for the payment. They will be able to fill out a short form on GOV.UK with a few simple details, including their name and address. Much of this data will be verified up-front to reduce burdens on Local Authorities, who will then verify the address and administer the payment.

When can households apply ?

• The government is currently finishing and testing the application model, including verification and anti-fraud measures, to ensure that it functions as intended before it can go live.
• The scheme will open for applications in January 2023, and the government is committed to delivering the payment to households this winter.
• The government will be publishing further detail about eligibility shortly.

Why is this taking so long?

• This is a critical and complex task.
• Whilst the government understands that speed is of the essence, it must do all it can to prevent errors that could result either in households not receiving the support they need, or in a loss of public money.

When will households get the money?

• The Alternative Fuel Payment of £200 and the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative funding of £400 will be delivered as soon as possible in the new year.
• The exact date that an eligible household will receive support will depend on when the application is made and when the payment can be processed by the relevant Local Authority.

NON-ENERGY SCHEMES:

 £650 Cost of Living payment for those on benefits

• More than 8 million households on means tested benefits will receive a payment of £650. This includes all households who receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit.
• The Department of Work and Pensions will make the payment in two lump sums – the first from July, the second in the autumn. Payments from HMRC for those on Tax Credits only will follow shortly after each to ensure there are no duplicate payments. The government will make these payments directly to households across the UK.

£300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

• All pensioner households will receive an extra £300 to help them cover the rising cost of energy this winter. Pensioners are disproportionately impacted by higher energy costs, and many low-income pensioner households do not claim the means tested benefits they are entitled to.
• This payment will go to the over 8 million pensioner households who receive the Winter Fuel Payment. The Pensioner Cost of Living Payment will come as a top-up to annual Winter Fuel Payments in November/December. For most pensioner households, this will be paid by direct debit, is not taxable and does not affect eligibility for other benefits. The government will make these payments directly to households across the UK.

£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment

• People with disabilities will receive an extra £150 to help with the particular extra costs they face. Six million people who receive Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Scottish Disability Benefits, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Constant Attendance Allowance and War Pension Mobility Supplement will receive the support as a one off payment in September.
•  These payments will be exempt from tax, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards. The government will make these payments directly to households across the UK.

December 2022 – Guidance on the pass-through requirements for energy price support provided to intermediaries

Guidance on the pass-through requirements for energy price support provided to intermediaries – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

December 19th 2022 Press Announcement re: Utilities

Vital help with energy bills on the way for millions more homes across Great Britain and Northern Ireland

• UK Government confirms all households in Northern Ireland will receive a single payment totalling £600 to help with their energy bills, with payments starting in January
• Households across Great Britain that use alternative fuels like heating oil will receive a £200 payment this winter
• 900,000 households in England, Scotland and Wales without a direct relationship to an energy supplier – such as care home or park home residents – will be able to apply online for £400 of non-repayable help with their fuel bills

Support with winter energy bills is on the way for millions more households across the United Kingdom, as the Government today confirms details of a single £600 payment to help households in Northern Ireland with their heating and electricity bills, as well as details of how those using alternative fuels and households without a direct relationship to an energy supplier will receive help with their energy costs.

These schemes augment the cost-of-living package of assistance the government has in place to help reduce energy bills for households across the United Kingdom. This includes the Energy Price Guarantee which saves a typical household in Great Britain around £900 this winter and an equivalent level of support in Northern Ireland.

Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said:

“Putin’s illegal war has caused global energy prices to soar, but we are continuing to work hard and urgently to get help to households across the UK, and this update provides people with more certainty on when and how we will deliver help with fuel bills.

“We’re already limiting the amount suppliers can charge consumers for their energy through the Energy Price Guarantee, which will continue to help consumers through to March 2024. We’ve all seen and felt the temperature dropping recently, so today’s updates will help millions worry less about their energy and heating bills this winter.”

Energy bills support for households in Northern Ireland

All households in Northern Ireland will receive a single, one-off £600 payment to help with their bills. Payments will start in January 2023. This will be made up of £400 of support under the Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme Northern Ireland (EBSS NI), and £200 of support under the Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) scheme, which will go to all households in Northern Ireland irrespective of how they heat their home.

The UK Government has confirmed today it will fund electricity companies for this payment to ensure they’re administered quickly, and that suppliers should start to make payments to customers in January. This means most NI consumers will receive the full amount of energy bills support before households in Great Britain, whilst still receiving the same level of support this winter.

All households in Northern Ireland will receive the support in a single payment to ensure the full benefit of the scheme is felt as soon as possible. The Northern Ireland scheme differs in this respect from EBSS in Great Britain to account for the particular nature of the NI energy market.

Administered by energy suppliers, customers who pay by Direct Debit will receive the £600 into their bank account directly. Other customers will be sent a voucher to redeem for the £600 payment, with further details of how they will work and what ID will be required to be set out shortly.

Today’s announcement comes as the Minister for Energy and Climate writes to Northern Ireland energy suppliers setting out his expectations, which includes urging them to suspend all debt recovery and enforcement activity until the end of January, as well as provide payment holidays until the end of January where customers are struggling to pay their bills.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said:

“I am acutely aware of the uncertainty and frustration that people across Northern Ireland have felt about their energy bill support. Families can start the new year knowing that they will receive the full support from January.

“I am grateful that officials and Ministers and energy suppliers have found a solution, especially given the complexity of NI’s energy market, although I would have liked to have seen Northern Ireland political parties deliver this, as part of a restored Executive.”

Energy bills support in England, Scotland and Wales via EBSS Alternative Funding and Alternative Fuel Payments

As well as this support for homes across Northern Ireland, the Government has also announced details today for how people in England, Scotland and Wales without a direct relationship to a domestic energy supplier, including many care home residents and those living in park homes, will receive a £400 discount on their fuel bills through the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS Alternative Funding).

The Government is also providing a further £200 Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) to help those households in Great Britain who use alternative fuels such as biomass or heating oil to meet energy costs this winter. Most households eligible for the AFP support in Great Britain, will receive payment automatically via their electricity supplier in February, with no need to take any action. Those households who will need to apply for the AFP, for example because they do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier, will be able to do so in February, through the same GOV.UK portal as the one that will be used to apply for support under the EBSS Alternative Funding scheme.

Minister for Energy and Climate, Graham Stuart, said:

“Getting this support for households’ bills out across the country will save hundreds of pounds for millions of people during the coldest months of the year. This has been a top priority and joint effort, with close work between officials and electricity suppliers in Northern Ireland, as well as with Local Authorities in Great Britain who will help get support to over 900,000 households who don’t have the direct relationship with energy suppliers that the vast majority of households do.”

Online applications will open in January for households in England, Scotland and Wales who are eligible for the £400 EBSS Alternative Funding to submit their details, alongside a helpline for those without online access. Payments to households that meet the eligibility criteria – including people who get their energy through a commercial contract or who are off-grid – will be made by Local Authorities in Great Britain. This is likely to include:

• Care home residents;
• Residents of park homes;
• Tenants in certain private and social rented homes;
• Homes supplied via private wires;
• Residents of caravans and houseboats on registered sites;
• Farmers living in domestic farmhouses; and
• Off-grid households.

Most households who don’t have a direct relationship with a domestic energy supplier have already been benefitting from subsidised energy bills through the Government’s business support scheme, with the Energy Prices Act legislation passed earlier in the year to ensure those benefits are passed on to consumers who do not pay their energy bills directly.

To make the process as simple as possible for consumers, those who are eligible for the EBSS Alternative Funding will need to submit a short online form via the Government’s GOV.UK pages, with the application portal due to open in January. A dedicated customer helpline will be available to assist customers who do not have online access, with further details to be released next month. Customers who are eligible for support under the main Energy Bills Support Scheme are not eligible for EBSS Alternative Funding.

Once customers have applied to receive support and their applications have been processed and verified, eligible customers’ details will be shared with Local Authorities across England, Scotland and Wales, who will deliver the one-off, non-repayable support this winter. Applicants will only be able to submit information through GOV.UK from January and should not contact their Local Authority in the meantime. The exact date that an eligible household will receive support will depend on when the application is made and when the payment can be processed by the relevant Local Authority.

Existing support for energy bills this winter

As well as discounts provided through the EBSS and Alternative Fuel Payments, the government’s Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) will save a typical household in Great Britain around £900 this winter, based on what energy prices would have been under the current price cap – reducing bills by roughly a third. For households in Northern Ireland, the Energy Price Guarantee is already providing equivalent support to the rest of Great Britain – helping those using gas and electricity save around £550 this winter. Further support in direct payments is also being provided to vulnerable households this year, including cost of living payments for pensioners, people receiving disability-related allowances and those on means-tested benefits. The Household Support Fund provides additional assistance for those most in need and £26 billion worth of targeted support will help protect the most vulnerable in the next financial year.

Rory Ngah (he/him)
Senior External Affairs Officer
M: 07843828578
E: rory.ngah@beis.gov.uk
1 Victoria Street, SW1H 0ET
www.gov.uk/beis |twitter.com/beisgovuk

December 2022 – Warm Homes Discount Scheme

I am pleased to announce that Charis will be offering the Park Homes Warm Home Discount 2022/23 rebate to a limited number of park home residents in England, Wales and Scotland. They have received enough funding to provide an estimate of 3000 awards.

They aim to open the scheme on the 19^th December and close around the 30^th December  The Charis website (charisgrants.com) will be updated to provide access to the online form in due course.  Please see  ( https://www.naphr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-Information.pdf) for information about the scheme and how to apply.  Please note that Charis will not be providing Telephone sign-up this year so you may need support in making an application.

Web charisgrants.com

Charis Grants Ltd, Trinity Court, Trinity Street, Peterborough PE1 1DA

December 2022 – Government Update

Energy Support – Park homes GUIDANCE

Update – December 2022

The government has already announced that it will provide a £400 discount to park home residents to help with their energy bills.  Details of the discount and other ways in which park home residents will be supported were made available in the November guidance.  This document provides a brief update on the delivery of the payment.

How will the payment be delivered?

• The government has worked through a number of alternative delivery options and has concluded that the best way to deliver the scheme is through Local Authorities, who are best placed to process applications and carry out verification checks.

What is the process for claiming the money?

• All eligible households will be required to apply for the payment. They will be able to fill out a short form on GOV.UK with a few simple details, including their name and address. Much of this data will be verified up-front to reduce burdens on Local Authorities, who will then verify the address and administer the payment.

When can households apply ?

• The government is currently finishing and testing the application model, including verification and anti-fraud measures, to ensure that it functions as intended before it can go live.
• The scheme will open for applications in January 2023, and the government is committed to delivering the payment to households this winter.
• The government will be publishing further detail about eligibility shortly.

Why is this taking so long?

• This is a critical and complex task.
• Whilst the government understands that speed is of the essence, it must do all it can to prevent errors that could result either in households not receiving the support they need, or in a loss of public money.

When will households get the money?

• The Alternative Fuel Payment of £200 and the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative funding of £400 will be delivered as soon as possible in the new year.
• The exact date that an eligible household will receive support will depend on when the application is made and when the payment can be processed by the relevant Local Authority.

December 2022 – Non-Energy Support

NON-ENERGY SCHEMES:

 £650 Cost of Living payment for those on benefits

• More than 8 million households on means tested benefits will receive a payment of £650. This includes all households who receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit.
• The Department of Work and Pensions will make the payment in two lump sums – the first from July, the second in the autumn. Payments from HMRC for those on Tax Credits only will follow shortly after each to ensure there are no duplicate payments. The government will make these payments directly to households across the UK.

£300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

• All pensioner households will receive an extra £300 to help them cover the rising cost of energy this winter. Pensioners are disproportionately impacted by higher energy costs, and many low-income pensioner households do not claim the means tested benefits they are entitled to.
• This payment will go to the over 8 million pensioner households who receive the Winter Fuel Payment. The Pensioner Cost of Living Payment will come as a top-up to annual Winter Fuel Payments in November/December. For most pensioner households, this will be paid by direct debit, is not taxable and does not affect eligibility for other benefits. The government will make these payments directly to households across the UK.

£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment

 People with disabilities will receive an extra £150 to help with the particular extra costs they face. Six million people who receive Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Scottish Disability Benefits, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Constant Attendance Allowance and War Pension Mobility Supplement will receive the support as a one off payment in September.

 These payments will be exempt from tax, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards. The government will make these payments directly to households across the UK.

November 2022 – Energy Clarification

November 2022 – Energy Grants Updates

November 2022 – Report on the Impact of a change to the 10%

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobile-homes-the-impact-of-a-change-in-the-maximum-park-home-sale-commission/the-impact-of-a-change-in-the-maximum-park-home-sale-commission-executive-summary

November 2022 – CPI/RPI

The Private Members Bill to change the Mobile Homes Act so that the maximum pitch fee increase is based on CPI not the current RPI was accepted today and passed without debate by the House. This means it has now reached the Committee stage who will amend the law. This is the first bill to pass through the house in this way since 1998. Well done Sir Christopher.

November 2022 – Energy Grants Updated Info from the Department for Levelling Up Housing & Communities

Energy Support – Park homes DRAFT GUIDANCE

Background

In response to the unprecedented rise in energy prices, the government has introduced energy price support to shield households and businesses from spiralling prices.

This document is a simple guide and summary of how the support will apply to the park homes sector only.

———————————————————————————————————————–

1. What support will apply to the park homes sector?

• The three types of support that will apply to the sector are the;

➢ Energy Bills Support Scheme-Alternative Fund (EBSS-AF);

➢ Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP): and

➢ Energy Bills Relief Scheme (EBRS)

1. What about the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS)?

• The EBSS only applies to those households with direct domestic electricity contracts with energy suppliers. Those households will automatically receive the £400 discount in six instalments between October 2022 and March 2023 to help households through winter.
• Households without a direct domestic contract will receive equivalent support through the EBSS Alternative Fund.
• Energy Bills Support Scheme – Alternative Fund
• What is the Energy Bills Support Scheme-Alternative Fund (EBSS-AF)?
• This scheme is intended to provide the £400 of support for households who do not have a domestic electricity contract such as park home residents.

1. How will park home residents receive this support?

• The £400 support will not be delivered to park home residents through site owners.
• It will be delivered by a designated body. An announcement on this will be made in due course.

1. When will residents receive the support?

• The full support will be provided this winter. An announcement will be made in due course.

2. Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) – What is the Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP)?

• The Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) will provide a one-off payment of £100 to UK households who are not on the mains gas grid and therefore use alternative fuels, such as heating oil, LPG, coal, and biomass to heat their homes.
• This £100 payment will ensure that all households who do not benefit through the Energy Price Guarantee to heat their homes, receive support for the cost of the fuel they do use.

The £100 payment has been calculated to ensure that a typical customer using heating oil will be offered support broadly in line with that offered by the Energy Price Guarantee for               those using mains gas to heat their homes.

• The government will continue to monitor the prices of alternative fuels, such as heating oil, and will consider further intervention if required to protect UK households from extraordinary fuel prices.

1. How will park home residents receive this support?

• Households including park home residents, eligible for these payments will receive £100 as a credit on their electricity bill this winter.
• Households who are eligible for but who do not receive the Alternative Fund Payment because they do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier, will receive the £100 through an Alternative Fund which will be provided by a designated body. Details of the AFP Alternative Fund will be confirmed shortly.

1. When will residents receive the support?

• Park home residents who are eligible will receive the payment this winter. More detail will be set out shortly.

3. Energy Bills Relief Scheme – What is the Energy Bills Relief Scheme?

• This scheme will provide a discount on energy bills for eligible non-domestic customers such as businesses, schools and charities. Where those businesses and organisations act as intermediaries and purchase electricity or gas on behalf of an end user, they will be required to pass on the discount to the end user.
• Park home site owners act as intermediaries and will be required to pass on any discounts received to their park home residents (end users).
• Discounts will be applied to energy usage initially between 1 October 2022 and 31March 2023.

1. How will park home residents receive this support?

• Energy suppliers will apply reductions to an eligible site owner’s bills between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023.
• The site owner will be required to pass on either all or some of any discount that they receive to their residents in a reasonable and proportionate way.

1. How will you ensure the reductions are passed on to park home residents?

• The legislation requires site owners to pass on any benefit to park home residents where they act as intermediaries and procure energy on their behalf.
• If site owners do not act in accordance with the legislation, residents may be able to recover this discount through the civil courts.

1. Are there any exemptions for park home operators from the requirement to pass on any discount?

• There are no exemptions, and as an intermediary, a park operator will be required to pass on any discount in line with the regulations and guidance published on gov.uk.

There may be situations where the park home operator is already shielding the end user from the cost of energy [see below] or not actually receiving a discount themselves, such as if         they are on an energy contract agreed before 1 December 2021 or have a low cost contract, in which case they have nothing to pass on.

1. How long will the scheme last for?

• The scheme will last until the 31 March 2023. The Government will publish a review into the operation of the scheme in 3 months’ time, to inform decisions on future support after March 2023.

1. What are the Pass-through Requirements on site owners?

• Site owners who are intermediaries must pass on a just and reasonable proportion of the discount to residents. They can adjust the amount they pass on based on their charges to residents and must demonstrate to residents that this amount is just and reasonable.
• Site owners must pass on the discount irrespective of how the resident pays for their energy use. This includes if the site owner charges an “all inclusive” pitch fee.
• Site owners can take into account the extent to which they have increased their charges to end users as a result of the energy crisis. For example, if the site owner has shielded residents from the impact of increased energy prices it may be just and reasonable for the site owner to retain some or all of the scheme benefit.

1. Where site owners use electricity themselves to keep lights on, maintenance of the commons areas etc, will they benefit from any discount even though they hold a non-domestic account and are an intermediary?

• Yes, site owners will benefit from a reduction in the cost of energy through the Energy Bills Relief Scheme. If the cost of this electricity is not passed on to the end user, and it is deemed just and reasonable, the site owner can retain this discount for themselves.

1. Will Ofgem’s maximum resale Price still apply?

• Yes. Site owners must also comply with the maximum resale price (MRP) set by Ofgem.

The MRP is the most anyone can charge for reselling gas or electricity which has already been bought from an authorised supplier.

• The current maximum resale price is set at the same price as paid by the person reselling (site owner), including any discounts such as the EBRS.

1. How is the pass-through requirement calculated?

• An illustrative example of how the pass-through requirements apply in hypothetical scenarios in relation to park home sites is below. Each individual case should be considered in line with the Pass-through Regulations. The figures provided below for the discount the site owner receives are provided as an example. The discount the site owner receives in real life will depend on the site owner’s contract.

Illustrative application of ‘just and reasonable’ test

Example 1

Scenario

A park home resident buys their electricity from a site owner, who has a commercial electricity supply contract. The site owner has five residents on their site who all pay equal costs for the same amount of energy.

The site owner passes 100% of the full amount of its energy cost onto its park home residents.

The site owner receives a £100 discount in November for its electricity bill from the electricity supplier.

Result

It is just and reasonable for 100% of the benefit that has been provided to the site owner to be passed on to the residents who will each receive a portion of the benefit.

Each resident will receive a £20 discount (£100 divided between five residents) as soon as is reasonably practicable and in respect of their November electricity bill.

Example 2

Scenario

A park home resident buys their electricity from a site owner, who has a commercial electricity supply contract. The site owner has five residents on their site who all pay equal costs for the same amount of energy.

The site owner passes 50% of the full amount of its energy cost onto its park home residents.

The site owner receives a £100 discount in November for its electricity bill from the electricity supplier.

Result

It is just and reasonable for 50% of the benefit that has been provided to the site owner to be passed on to residents who will each receive a portion of the benefit.

Each resident will receive a £10 discount (50% of £100 divided between five residents) as soon as is reasonably practicable and in respect of their November electricity bill.

1. When must the benefit be passed through to residents?

• The benefit must be passed on by the site owner as soon as reasonably practicable. If the benefits have not been passed on when the scheme ends, the expectation is that they will still be passed on in accordance with the pass-through requirements.

1. How will the benefit be provided to residents?

• The pass-through benefit must be provided to residents through the following methods:

➢ application of a credit in the next invoice, statement of account or similar document provided by the relevant intermediary to the end user

➢ a payment in cash or by any other means, including a bank transfer

➢ tariff adjustment on tariff equipment

➢ adjusting the amount of money taken from a direct debit or a standing order

➢ set off against an amount or part of an amount which was owed by the resident to the site owner at the time at which the scheme benefit was provided to the site owner

➢ or a combination of the methods set out above

1. What information must the site owner share with residents regarding the benefit?

• It is the responsibility of the site owner to take reasonable steps to notify residents in writing that they have been provided support and how much they are intending to pass on. If the site owner will not be passing any benefit they have received to residents, they must still notify the residents.

1. What do you mean by reasonable steps?

• These reasonable steps could include a letter, email, by text or instant message, in a newsletter or other type of message sent directly to the resident. This must be done using existing methods of communication with end users and in so far as possible, via the method of communication used customarily with end users.
• A general notice on a website would not normally be sufficient unless that is the primary method that the site owner and residents communicate.

1. When must the information be shared?

• This information must be shared within 30 days of the site owner receiving the benefit or within 30 days of the regulations coming into force for the scheme benefits provided to relevant intermediaries before the Pass-through Regulations came into force.

1. What must the information set out?

• The information must set out:

➢ how much benefit has been provided to the site owner

➢ how much will be passed through to the resident

➢ if applicable, when and how this will be passed on

➢ if applicable, any steps the site owner is taking to correct an error in previously passed-through scheme benefit

➢ how residents can appeal to the site owner

➢ that if residents do not receive the scheme benefit they are entitled to recover it as a civil debt

1. What can residents do if the pass-through requirements are not met?

• Residents should not need to take action to receive this benefit as the obligation is on the site owner to pass through the benefit and provide the information necessary to do so.
• If a resident believes that they should have been provided a benefit, did not receive enough benefit, or reasonable steps weren’t taken to inform them of their eligibility to benefit, the resident would be advised to raise this with the site owner in the first instance.

1. How should a resident contact the site owner?

• A template letter has been provided to assist residents in their communications with site owners. The template letter is only illustrative, and site owners should refer to their obligations as set out in the Regulations.
• The site owner is under an obligation to demonstrate that the pass-though is just and reasonable and therefore must provide justification for their calculation of the amount passed on.

1. What can a resident do if a site owner fails to meet any of their obligations?

• If a site owner fails to appropriately pass on the payment or fails to provide necessary information to the resident, the resident may bring civil proceedings and may seek to recover sums due as a civil debt. There are no fines for site owners in such cases.
• Should a court rule in the resident’s favour, they will be entitled to the payment, plus interest which is set at 2 per cent above the Bank of England’s base rate and will begin to accrue from 60 days after the intermediary first receives the relevant scheme benefit.

To find support on civil debt proceedings or further guidance visit: Make a court claim for money.

Useful links

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pass-through-requirements-for-energy-price-support-provided-to-intermediaries/guidance-on-the-pass-through-requirements-for-energy-price-support-in-great-britain-provided-to-intermediaries

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-prices-bill-how-households-and-businesses-will-be-supported/how-households-and-businesses-will-be-supported-by-the-energy-prices-bill

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3341/publications.

November 2022 – £400 Clarification

November 2022 – Update on Energy Price Support

Guidance on the pass-through requirements for energy price support in Great Britain provided to intermediaries – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

October 2022 – CPI/RPI

Sir Peter Bottomley asked the following question of The Leader of the House “I ask the Leader of the House whether we may have the Government’s statement, as soon as possible, on changing the fees for park home residents from using the retail price index to using the consumer prices index, which is long overdue.  We need to deal with the issue of the 10% commission whenever anyone changes their home.”

Sir Peter Bottomley has also asked the Secretary of State for Levelling UP and Housing Communities if he will make an estimate of the total commissions received each year by site owners from home sales by park home residents since 2010, and will he make a statement.

October 2022 – 2nd Reading of CPI/RPI Bill

October 2022 – Energy Bills

“If you’re not connected to the grid

Those households not on standard gas or electricity contracts, such as those living in park homes or on heat networks – and so outside the scheme – will receive support equivalent to both the Energy Price Guarantee and the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The business which has the direct commercial relationship with the energy supplier (for example the park owner) will receive support via the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and we will act now to introduce legislation so that they have to pass the benefit directly on to residents. Customers do not need to take any action in order to receive this support, which they will receive by the end of the year.

All domestic households will also receive the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme. We are working through exactly how different groups of consumers will receive this, using the most practical and tested routes available.”

The above is quoted from Energy bills support factsheet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

October 2022 – £400 Update

October 2022 – Warm Homes Discount Scheme

Scroll down the link to register for 2022

Park Homes Park Homes Warm Home Discount (parkhomeswhd.com)

Click on the link below

Energy price cap explained | Ofgem

September 2022

Getting the Energy Bills Support Scheme discount – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

September 2022

Draft minutes from the latest APPG meeting

APPG-AGM-16-May-2022-DRAFT.pdf (parkhome.org.uk)

September 2022

September 2022

 

September 2022

Quoted from the the Prime Minister’s speech on the 8th September about energy costs

“..This Guarantee – which includes a temporary suspension of green levies – means that from 1st October a typical household will pay no more than £2,500 per year for each of the next two years, while we get the energy market back on track. This will save a typical household £1,000 a year. It comes in addition to the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme. ………….. For those using heating oil, living in park homes or those on heat networks, we will set up a fund so that all UK consumers can benefit from equivalent support. We will also support all businesses, charities and public sector organisations with their energy costs this winter – offering an equivalent guarantee for 6 months.”

September 2022

Uncertainty remains over some people’s energy rebates

By Kevin Peachey
Personal finance correspondent, BBC News

This is part of a package of government support to help people with the rising cost of living.

But millions of people are still facing uncertainty over exactly how they will get the promised rebate.

Mobile home residents

Mobile homes can vary in size and structure, and often it is pensioners and semi-retired people who own them, paying a fee to the park owner for their pitch.

Many park home residents have been afraid they would not receive the promised £400 energy rebate. Their concern prompted a petition, signed by more than 11,000 people, calling for confirmation that they will not miss out on the payment, which has been promised to every household.

While the government has stressed that they will receive the money, the mechanics of how their bill will be discounted remain unclear.

Residents do not have a direct relationship with their energy supplier, so cannot be given a straightforward rebate like everyone else. The park owner is billed by the energy firm, then the owner charges the residents for the power they use.

“A lot of people believed they would not get [the money]. However, there is no doubt, and I have been assured by government officials, that this money will be paid,” says Brian Doick, who lives in a mobile home in Sussex and is president of the National Association of Park Home Residents.

“This will not be a cash payment but will come in a way that covers [some of] the cost of your utility bill. It could be vouchers or something else, but I am assured you will be paid from October. We will be paid exactly the same as everyone else.”

For most regular billpayers, the rebate will arrive in six instalments, with a discount of £66 applied to energy bills in October and November, and £67 a month from December to March 2023.

A government spokesman said officials and ministers were “urgently working” to ensure everyone, including park home residents, received the support.

Mr Doick, an 81-year-old retired firefighter, says support is crucial, because mobile home residents are facing inflation-linked increases to their pitch fees.

Every year, the park owner can put up the fee in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation, which currently stands at 12.3%.

Many residents also have access to gas from cylinders, or tanks, outside their home, but that has also been going up in price.

July 2022

29/07/2022 £400 Energy grant update quoted from Energy Bills Support Scheme explainer – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

“Will I get the discount if I live in a park home, houseboat or am an energy consumer living off the grid?

• Approximately one per cent of UK households are currently ineligible to receive Energy Bills discount as they do not have a domestic electricity meter and a direct relationship with an electricity supplier
• the government has confirmed that further funding will be available to provide equivalent support of £400 for energy bills for the 1% of households who will not be reached through the Energy Bills discount
• an announcement with details on how and when these households across Great Britain can access this support will be made this Autumn”

July 2022

As I’m sure many of you know, the black labrador (Millie) on our Compliments Slips belongs to our Membership Secretary.  It is with great sorrow I have to inform you that Millie is no longer with us and as a result our Membership Secretary is having a few days off NAPHR duty.  Please be patient.  All should be back to normal by 25th July

July 2022

PETITON UPDATE

Your petition asking for government to facilitate the installationof water meters for each and all residential Park Homes was formally presented to the House of Commons last evening.

Below is the Hansard record >

8.37pm

Mrs Sheryll Murray

(South East Cornwall) (Con)

“My South East Cornwall constituents and more than 570 others online have raised the issue that many thousands of residential park home residents do not have their own water meters and end up paying significantly more than they should. Where each home is metered, negligent park owners are more likely to undertake repairs to leakages more quickly and avoid wastage, while residents will properly pay only for what they use.

The petition states:

The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,

Declares that park home owners pay the same tariffs as households in any other housing sector, however, as many sites are metered rather than individual park homes, they are frequently overcharged by park owners; further that park home owners are frequently paying for water wasted from delayed repairs to leakages in the site infrastructure and for water used by the park owners for their own purposes; further that residential park home owners are usually on fixed incomes and should not be paying for water they do not consume; further that they should enjoy the same benefits that individual water meters bring to mainstream housing and further that the collateral benefit will be that leakages are repaired more quickly by park owners and wastages of the resource minimised.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to require all water companies to provide each residential mobile home on a protected site with water meters and ensure that they fit meters for free on request (excepting Scotland).

And the petitioners remain,” etc.

July 2022

TODAY ( 12TH JULY) IN PARLIAMENT

No debate or decision (Standing Order No. 153)

Water meters for park homes: Mrs Sheryll Murray. MP

Later today, the petition asking the government to facilitate the installation of water meters for each residential Park Home will be presented to the House of Commons. This is the first stage in the process that will hopefully see all residents paying only for the water that each home uses.

Whilst many homes already have individual meters, more do not and are being charged extortionate rates. If you already have your own meter, please help others who are less fortunate.

July 2022

One of our advisors recently attended their local MP Surgery – this is the result as published in the local paper –  “I have raised with Ministers the case of residents of park homes who are not currently eligible for the Energy Bill Rebate Scheme.  I am pleased to say that the Government are reviewing the outcomes of the consultation on the scheme and will look to deliver an equivalent support mechanism in the autumn.”

June 2022

20th June  – A little bit of progress – thank you to Sir Christopher Chope – 2nd Reading on Friday 18th November 2022

Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Bill – Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Sir Christopher Chope presented a Bill to amend the provisions about pitch fees in the Mobile Homes Act 1983; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 18 November, and to be printed (Bill 90).

June 2022

Last year the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities commissioned the University of Liverpool to carry out research to gather data to enable an assessment to be made of impacts on the sector of a change to the maximum 10% commission paid on the sale of a mobile home.  The final report has now been published “The impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission”.  The Government will now consider the report and recommendations in more detail and set out the next steps in due course.

A copy of the report is available here

June 2022

ENERGY BILL REBATES:

THE QUESTION

Andrew Bridgen: Conservative, North West Leicestershire:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to help ensure that people who live on mobile home sites receive energy grants rather than the site owner.

THE ANSWER:

Hansard source

(Citation: HC Deb, 9 June 2022, cW)

Greg Hands The Minister of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

The Government is aware that not all households have electricity provided through a domestic electricity supply contract, such as mobile home residents. The Government raised this in its technical consultation on the Energy Bills Support Scheme. Households without a domestic electricity supply contract are not eligible for the scheme and the Government is exploring options for other ways in which they might receive similar support. The responses to this consultation are being analysed and a response will be published later in the summer.

( Copied from the Park Home Policy Forum) – website: https://www.parkhomespolicyforum.co.uk/

 

 

June 2022

Copied from an email sent from William Tandoh of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to BJ Doick, President of NAPHR who requested it be published for our members.

Department for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities

From: William Tandoh
Sent: 01 June 2022 09:19
To: bjdoick <bjdoick@btinternet.com>
Subject:  Park homes – £400 grant

Good morning Brian,

We spoke yesterday about the £400 grant announced by the Chancellor last week.  There are a number of questions most residents will probably be asking and I’ve tried to answer them below as simply as possible.

Please have a look and let me know what you think or if there are other questions I have missed.  I’ve also attached links to further information about the wider scheme

Q.  Does the £400 grant apply to park home residents?

• The £400 grant does not apply to park home residents but the Government is exploring options for applying this support to park home residents.

Q.  Why does it not apply to park home residents?

• The scheme which was initially announced in April, only applied to domestic electricity customers. These are people or households who have a direct relationship with a licensed electricity supplier.
• Park home residents generally do not have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier as they normally buy their electricity from the site owner who has a commercial electricity supply contract.

Q.  What is the Government doing to ensure park home residents receive this help?

• The Government recognises that households without a domestic supply contract, including park home residents, do not benefit from the £400 grant and is exploring options for other ways in which those households might receive similar support

Q.  The Government has already consulted on this. When will there be further clarity on the design and delivery of the scheme?

• The consultation on the scheme concluded on 23 May and the responses are being analysed. The government response will be published later this summer.
• The Government is also working with energy suppliers, consumer groups and Ofgem to ensure that delivering this grant is as simple and effective as possible

Q.  When is the grant expected to be paid to domestic electricity customers?

• Energy suppliers will deliver this support to households with a domestic electricity meter over six months from October.

Q.  What other help is available to park home residents, many of whom are on fixed incomes?

• The measures announced by the Chancellor will be targeted particularly on those with the greatest need.
• This includes a payment of £650 this year to more than 8 million households on means tested benefits and a one-off pensioner cost of living payment of £300 to pensioner households across the UK who receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

Q.  Where can I find more information about the measures announced by the Chancellor?

• • Further information is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-living-support/cost-of-living-support-factsheet-26-may-2022
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-bills-support-scheme-explainer#:~:text=8.%20If%20I,of%20our%20consultation

William Tandoh
Park Homes and Non Traditional Tenures
Private Rented Sector Division
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
3^rd Floor, Fry Building, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF
E: William.tandoh@communities.gov.uk  T: 0303 444 3699
Department for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities

 

June 2022

Text copied from the Government Energy Support Scheme Explainer paragraph 8 (Energy Bills Support Scheme explainer – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) giving some hope!

“8. If I live in a park home, will I get the £400? Or if I pay for energy in my rent, how do I make sure my landlord passes on the reduction?

We recognise that there are certain situations where a third party will be responsible for the bill (and be named on it). In these situations, any charges should then be passed onto the end user, typically through all-inclusive rent (landlord or tenant) or ‘pitch’ charges (for example park homes).

We are exploring this issue as we continue to develop the policy and we have gathered more evidence through the consultation.”

June 2022

Fit and Proper Person

Appeal against a Notice of Final Refusal Decision under The Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020

“52. The Tribunal concludes as follows:

1. The Applicants have failed to discharge the evidential burden to demonstrate that the decisions taken by the Council to refuse their applications for inclusion in the Register of Fit and Proper Persons were wrong.
2. There was significant non-compliance with the requirements of the 2020 Regulations on the parts of the Applicants.
3. The Applicants’ explanations for their non-compliance with the 2020 Regulations were argumentative and without merit.
4. Miss Giddings had acted in accordance with the Council’s Determination Policy and with the requirements of the 2020 Regulations in arriving at her decision to refuse the Applicants’ applications to be included in the Register of Fit and Proper persons.
5. The Applicants were incapable of meeting the rigorous requirements of the 2020 Regulations to be included in the Register of Fit and Proper Persons to manage their respective sites.

53. The Hope and Glory decisions established the legal principle that a Tribunal should only interfere with the decision of a regulatory body which Parliament had entrusted to make such decisions if it is satisfied that the decision is wrong. In these Appeals, the Tribunal is satisfied on its findings that the decisions of the Council to refuse the Applicants’ applications to be included in the Register of Fit and Proper Persons were not wrong, and in fact they were right.

54. The Tribunal, therefore, dismisses the Appeals of The Willows General Management Limited, The Marigolds Management Limited, Aldingbourne Park Management Limited, Rustington Management Limited and The Beaches Management Limited and confirms the decisions of Arun District Council dated 1 November 2021 rejecting their applications to be included in the Register of Fit and Proper Persons to manage the specified relevant protected site in accordance with paragraph 9 of schedule 4 of The Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020.”

ALFIE BEST & DAVID SUNDERLAND LOSE FIT & PROPER PERSONS APPEAL

Philip Kolvin QC of 11 KBW acted for Arun District Council in the appeals

 

In 2020 Parliament provided for a register of fit and proper persons to manage residential caravan sites. In the first case to come before the First Tier Tribunal under the legislation, the Tribunal has upheld the refusal by Arun District Council to register five companies as fit and proper persons, writes Philip Kolvin QC.

 

In The Willows General Management Limited, The Marigolds Management Limited, Aldingbourne Park Management Limited, Rustington Management Limited, The Beaches Management Limited v Arun District Council (CHI/45UC/PHR/2021/02-06) the five sites involved were each licensed to a separate company under the provisions of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960. Each company shared the same two directors. None of the companies had significant capital or income. Management of each of the sites was carried out through a large caravan site property group called the Wyldecrest Group, yet none of the companies were legally connected to the Group. There was no evidence that the companies themselves or their directors were actually involved in the management of the sites.

 

The companies argued that the sites had been properly run over many years and that the site licence fees alone were enough to pay for the proper management of the sites. Nevertheless, the Council refused to register the companies as fit and proper under The Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020, including because none of the companies had appointed a named site manager, evidence of the actual legal estate or equitable interest had not been provided, and nor had sufficient detail been provided of the ability to secure the proper management of the site, the manager’s competence to manage the site or the management structure and funding arrangements.

 

On appeal, the applicant companies criticised the Council for an overly technical approach, given that the sites had been properly run by and through a well-resourced corporate group. The Council relied on the well-known test for fitness and propriety in R v Warrington Crown Court ex parte Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary [2002] 1 WLR 1954, namely that the test concerns whether the applicant has the personal qualities and professional qualifications to do what they seek permission to do.

 

The Tribunal held that the question was whether the five companies were fit and proper, not whether the Wyldecrest Group was, or whether the sites had been properly run in the past. It rejected as irrelevant an argument that many other local authorities had approved other companies within the Wyldecrest Group as fit and proper.  Applying the test in Hope and Glory, it held that the Companies had failed to discharge the evidential burden upon them to demonstrate that the refusal to register them was wrong, and that they had also failed to comply with the information requirements upon them under the Regulations.

 

The strong, and clearly correct, message for practitioners is that it is wholly insufficient under this regime to assert the quality of management of the site, or even the competence of a wider corporate structure to manage the site. The Council is concerned with whether the applicant for registration is fit and proper. In this case, the information provided by the Applicant Companies was lacking, and so the Council was not just not wrong but, in the words of the Tribunal, right to reject the applications.

( Philip Kolvin QC of 11 KBW acted for Arun District Council in the appeals)

May 2022

Age UK’s response to the Government consultation on Government proposal for a £400 grant towards energy costs

see link consultation-response—technical-proposals-for-the-energy-bills-support-scheme-department-for-business-energy–industrial-strategy.pdf (ageuk.org.uk)

May 2022

Cost of Living Support Factsheet:  26 May 2022

Cost of living support factsheet: 26 May 2022 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We know that the position is not clear for those of you who pay your Site Owner for your electricity and will update this page as soon as we have clarification.

May 2022

The APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group), whose stated purpose is to “bring together parliamentarians, park homeowners and industry representatives to discuss issues of common interest including legislation and its enforcement to eliminate abuse and disadvantage “ is meeting on Monday 16th May.  This is an informal cross-party group that has no official status within Parliament.  It is run by and for Members of the Commons and Lords and also members from relevant outside organistaions.  Membership details and minutes of their meetings can be found on the following link.  https://www.parkhome.org.uk/appg/

May 2022

Sir Peter Bottomley spoke in Parliament following the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday afternoon raising the issue of RPI/CPI and the 10% commission on selling your park home.

 

Quote:

“Two small changes for owners of park homes would make a great deal of difference. In 2010, the then Housing Minister said that there would be park home reform; we have not had it. We should ensure that pitch fee increases are in line with the consumer prices index, rather than the retail prices index. That change could be incorporated in the next Finance Bill, and I hope that will happen.

The second change is on the question of commissions. Why should park home residents have to lose a significant part of their home’s value when they sell it? Those two things can be changed quite simply, the second probably through a handout Bill. There are plenty of MPs who could take that forward if their number came up in the ballot— my number has not come up in the ballot in 46 years —but the Government can make the RPI/CPI change quite easily.”

May 2022

Conwy caravan park loses appeal over planning permission for mobile homes.  For more information click on the link below.

Bryn Gynog Park, Conwy

March 2022

The RPI to CPI  2nd reading in the House of Commons has now been postponed until 6th May 2022.

February 2022

RPI TO CPI UPDATE.
MP Sir Christopher Chope will be attempting to present the bill to change the RPI, that is used in England for the Pitch Fee Review, to CPI in Parliament for its second reading on 25th February.
The debate should be available to watch live on the Parliament channel between 9.30am and 3.30pm. You can see the daily timetable listing at 9.30 am. UPDATE – unfortunately there was insufficient Parliamentary time for this 2nd reading.  It has now been postponed until Friday 18th March.

February 2022

Owner of Denmead Caravan Park prosecuted and fined thousands of pounds for ‘long-standing harassment’ against resident
By Freddie Webb

Wednesday, 26th January 2022, 1:47 pm

The owner of a mobile home park has been fined thousands of pounds for ‘longstanding harassment’ against a resident.

Winchester City Council prosecuted Joseph Stanley following reports of harassment and failure keep the land in a suitable condition. Mr Stanley, owner of Denmead Caravan Park, was fined £8,000, with the victim of the harassment awarded £2,500 in compensation. Further fines of £4,000 were also handed out to the defendant’s company, JS Property Maintenance Contractors Ltd.

The residents of the mobile home park, on Dando Road, Denmead, will receive a total of £7,000 in compensation. This was for failing to respond to the terms of a compliance notice regarding site conditions, on Dando Road, Denmead.

Mr Stanley pleaded guilty in September 2021 before a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Councillor Neil Cutler, deputy leader of Winchester City Council, said: ‘It is unacceptable that these Winchester City Council residents have been victims of long-standing harassment from the defendant.

‘The council will do everything in its power to ensure that those who intimidate and create fear for people in the district are prosecuted. ‘We hope this sends out a clear message. ‘We will always look to take action on behalf of those treated in manner.’

Residents of the mobile home park will be compensated with £4,500 for the poor site conditions. Costs totalling £14,000 were awarded to Winchester City Council following the prosecution.

Mr Stanley was fined and prosecuted under the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

People experiencing similar problems are advised to contact the city council’s customer support phone line on 01962 840 222.
Further information can be found on Winchester City Council’s website here.
https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/owner-of-denmead-caravan-park-prosecuted-andfined-thousands-of-pounds-for-long-standing-harassment-against-resident-3542702

February 2022

Energy Bills Rebate – Factsheet

What has the government announced?

• The government has announced a package of support to help households with rising energy bills, worth £9.1 billion in 2022-23.

• This includes:

• A £200 discount on their energy bill this Autumn for domestic electricity customers in Great Britain. This will be paid back automatically over the next 5 years.
• A £150 non-repayable rebate in Council Tax bills for all households that are liable for council tax in Bands A-D in England.
• £144 million of discretionary funding for Local Authorities to support households who need support but are not eligible for the Council Tax rebate.
• The devolved administrations are receiving around £715 million funding through the Barnett formula as usual where UK Government support doesn’t cover Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Why is the government providing support?

• The government recognises many households will need support to deal with rising energy costs, which are being affected by global factors.
• From 1 April, the energy price cap will rise from £1,277 to £1,971 – an almost £700 increase in energy bills for the average household.
• Wholesale gas prices have quadrupled in the last year. Because gas is used for electricity generation this pushes up retail electricity bills as well as retail gas bills.

How will the Energy Bill Discount Scheme work?

• Domestic energy customers in Great Britain will receive a £200 cash discount on their bills this Autumn. The government will provide funding to all suppliers for them to pass on to their domestic energy customers from October.
• Customers will pay back the discount automatically in equal instalments over five years, starting from financial year 2023-24, when wholesale gas prices are expected to come down. This is expected to be reflected as an increase to standing charges on bills.
• This approach will help to spread the increased costs of global prices over time in a way that is more manageable for households.
• The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will set out more detail on this policy in a consultation in the spring.

How will the Council Tax rebate work?

• Households in England in Council Tax Bands A-D will be eligible for a £150 rebate in their council tax bill in April this year.
• The rebate to bills will be made by local authorities as a payment to households. This won’t have to be repaid.
• 80% of households in England are in Council Tax Bands A-D, so will benefit from this rebate. The rebate will not be paid for second homes or empty properties.
• We expect the vast majority of people who pay by Direct Debit to receive this money in April. For households in Bands A-D who do not pay by Direct Debit, their councils will be ready to process their claims in April.
• The government is providing new funding to local authorities for these rebates, as well as extra funding to help with increased administrative costs.
• For those who need help with their energy bills but are not eligible – such as households on income support in higher bands (E-H) or with properties in bands A-D that are exempt from council tax – local authorities will receive £144 million of discretionary funding to help.
• Further details will be set out by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and local authorities.

Will people across the whole UK benefit?

• The £200 energy bills discount applies across England, Wales and Scotland. The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for energy policy in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Executive will be funded to provide comparable support with around £150 million through the Barnett formula next year. The Barnett formula will also be applied when UK Government spending is recovered in future years, which will result in lower funding for the Executive in those years.
• The £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate applies in England only, as Council Tax policy is devolved in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. As a result, the devolved administrations will receive around £565 million extra funding through the Barnett formula, which will enable them to provide similar support. They will be able to choose whether to spend this funding this year or next year.
• This comprises around £290million for the Scottish Government, £175million for the Welsh Government and £100million for the Northern Ireland Executive.

What other help is available for people struggling with the cost of living?

• These new measures are on top of the existing £12 billion support the government is providing for the cost of living this financial year and next. This includes reducing the Universal Credit taper rate, raising the National Living Wage, freezing alcohol and fuel duties and providing targeted help with energy bills.
• The table below shows the total available funding per household to support with energy bills, depending on eligibility.
• The government is continuing with plans to expand eligibility for the Warm Home Discount by almost a third and increase the rebate value to £150 each year (from £140). 3 million vulnerable households will now benefit from the £150 supplier rebate. More detail will be published shortly in the government response to the consultation on this.
• A fuller explanation of how the government is helping with the cost of living is available in a separate factsheet  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-support-for-energy-bills-and-the-cost-of-living-factsheets

Measure	Eligibility and Beneficiaries	Value
Universal Rebate	All GB Households	£200
Council Tax Rebate	Households in England in Council Tax bands A – D	£150
Warm Home Discount (WHD) (as per current consultation)	Households in receipt of Pension Credit, Guarantee Credit, and some working age benefits 3 million households	£150
Winter Fuel Payment	All households with at least one member above state pension age.  £200 per household to those under 80, £300 to those over 80. 11.2 million households.	£200 – £300
Total available funding (depending on eligibility)		Up to £800

 

February 2022

Millions to receive £350 boost to help with rising energy costs

Millions of households will receive £350 of government support to help protect them from rising energy costs, the Chancellor announced today.

From:

HM Treasury

Published

3 February 2022

• Millions of households will receive up to £350 to help with the cost of living following a rise in the energy price cap.
• All domestic electricity customers will get £200 off their energy bills from October, with 80% of households receiving a £150 Council Tax rebate from April.
• Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces £9.1 billion Energy Bills Rebate to support families with rising global energy prices.

Recognising that growing cost of living pressures was the “number one issue on people’s minds”, Rishi Sunak said this package would support hard working families.

The Energy Bills Rebate will provide around 28 million households with an upfront discount on their bills worth £200. Energy suppliers will apply the discount to domestic electricity customers from October, with the Government meeting the costs. The discount will then be automatically recovered from people’s bills in equal £40 instalments over the next five years. This will begin from 2023, when global wholesale gas prices are expected to come down.

Households in England, which are in council tax bands A-D, will also receive a £150 rebate. The rebate to bills will be made directly by local authorities from April. This will not need to be repaid. This one-off payment will benefit around 80 per cent of all homes in England and is £1 billion more generous and more targeted towards lower-income families than a VAT cut on energy bills.

On top of this discount, discretionary funding of £144 million will also be provided to support vulnerable people and individuals on low incomes that do not pay Council Tax, or that pay Council Tax for properties in Bands E-H.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:

Right now, I know the number one issue on people’s minds is the rising cost of living.

That’s why the Government is stepping in with direct support that will help around 28 million households with their rising energy costs over the next year.

We stood behind British people and businesses throughout the pandemic and it’s right we continue to do that as our economy recovers in the months ahead.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

During the pandemic this Government has acted decisively to protect jobs and livelihoods, particularly for those on the lowest incomes.

But today we recognise the real and growing concerns people have about the cost of living – and once again we are taking action.

We are delivering a new package of targeted support to help with the financial pressures felt by families right across the country, with additional help for those most in need.

This builds on the changes we’ve made to Universal Credit to put £1,000 more per year into the pockets of hardworking people and the increase to the National Living Wage to advance our vision for a high-wage and financially secure Britain.

The support package comes after energy regulator Ofgem today announced an increase to the energy price cap as a result of the soaring global wholesale price of gas, which has quadrupled in the past year.

This will see almost a £700 increase in energy bills for the average household from April 1 – but, as a result of the targeted Energy Bills Rebate, the vast majority of households will receive £350 to reduce this cost.

The Chancellor also today confirmed plans to go ahead with existing proposals to expand eligibility for the Warm Home Discount by almost a third so that three million vulnerable households will now benefit, as well as the planned £10 uplift to £150 from October. This follows a consultation by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to reform the policy so that more people will benefit.

Devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to receive around £565 million of Barnett funding as a result of the Council Tax Energy Rebate in England. While for energy bills, Northern Ireland will be funded to provide comparable support with around £150 million through the Barnett formula next year.

The Government has delivered a record 500 per cent increase in the amount of renewable energy capacity connected to the grid since 2010. It will provide up to £1.7 billion of direct government funding to enable at least one large scale nuclear project by the end of this parliament. The oil and gas industry continues to play an important role in society as we transition to net zero. However, the present global situation underlines the need to go further to ensure the UK’s clean energy independence, and to protect consumers into the future.

The Government is therefore doubling its efforts to generate more clean, affordable power in this country to meet the target of decarbonising Britain’s electricity system by 2035. So far through the Contracts for Difference (CfDs) scheme, it has successfully awarded contracts totalling almost 16GW of new renewable electricity capacity across multiple technologies, helping to decrease costs of renewable generation significantly.

Today’s energy intervention comes on top of the £12 billion support package the Government is already providing to ease growing cost of living pressures. This includes Cold Weather and Winter Fuel Payments, increasing the National Living Wage to £9.50 in April and providing an effective tax cut for those on Universal Credit – allowing 1.9 million households to keep an average of £1,000 per year.

Further information:

• Factsheets explaining the Energy Bills Rebate and how the government is helping with the cost of living are available online.
• We expect the vast majority of people who pay by Direct Debit to receive this money in April, with Local Authorities using bank account details to credit their account with a one-off payment of £150.
• For households in Bands A-D who do not pay by Direct Debit, their councils will be ready to process their claims in April.
• The payment through energy bills will apply across England, Scotland and Wales. As energy policy is devolved in Northern Ireland, the government does not have powers to intervene. The Northern Ireland Executive will be funded to provide comparable support with around £150million through the Barnett formula next year.
• As the Council Tax system is devolved, the devolved governments will receive total Barnett consequentials of around £565million. This comprises around £290million for the Scottish Government, £175million for the Welsh Government and £100 million for the Northern Ireland Executive. The devolved administrations will be able to choose whether to spend this funding this year or next year.
• A payment of £150 to households in (English) Council Tax Bands A-D, plus a rebate to households of £200, will be worth the equivalent of more than 2.5% of net income in 2022-23 to the poorest tenth of households, compared with less than 0.5% to the richest tenth.
• The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will consult on how best to deliver the energy rebate, for example how to ensure that domestic customers on different payment methods and supplier contracts benefit.

June 2021

SALES COMMISSION REVIEW – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

 

 

As most will already know, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have commissioned the University of Liverpool and Sheffield Hallam University to provide essential research on the residential park homes sector to inform their review of the maximum 10 per cent commission paid on the sale of park homes.

 

 

Information about your experience is vital to the study.  PLEASE COMPLETE THEIR SHORT SURVEY to share key information about your park, park home and the impact the commission paid on the sale of a park home sale has on YOU.  The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

 

 

The study includes detailed mapping of the park home sector as well as consultations with various stakeholders, including park owners and residents.  The deadline for responses is 28th JUNE 2021 and you can access the survey via the link at the foot of this post.

 

YOUR participation in the survey is essential to ensure the study gathers robust data to evaluate the impact of any change.

 

 

If you know that any of your neighbours have not received a copy of this survey please either email it to them or print out the questionnaire and circulate it to them.  As a thank you to all participants for completing the survey, they will be entered into a prize a draw to win one of two £100 high street vouchers.

 

 

NOTES: The information you provide will be used by Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Liverpool in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, GDPR and other applicable legislation.  We repeat: Your information will NOT be shared with any other party, without your permission, and there will be anonymity in any reporting.  For more information please see privacy policy: bit.ly/SHUPrivacyNotice

 

 

If you have any questions or issues when completing the survey please contact David Leather via email (d.leather@shu.ac.uk).

 

 

The link to the survey can be found here> http://bit.ly/ParkHomeResidentsOpen

 

Sarah Ward / Melissa McGregor

CRESR

Sheffield Hallam University

Pond Street

Sheffield

S1 1AY

 

June 2021

Press release

New measures to better protect mobile home residents

Mobile home residents will be better protected with stricter rules to clamp down on the small minority of rogue site owners and managers.

From:

Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and Eddie Hughes MP

Published

4 June 2021

Last updated

4 June 2021 — See all updates

 

• Councils given greater powers to tackle bad practice and exploitation on mobile home sites
• Strong enforcement powers against those who don’t comply with the new rules
• Fit and proper person test introduced to ensure site managers are suitable

Mobile home residents will be better protected with stricter rules to clamp down on the small minority of rogue site owners and managers, Housing Minister Eddie Hughes announced today (4 June 2021).

Under the new measures, councils will be given greater powers to tackle bad practice and exploitation of residents, such as failure to address residents’ complaints or anti-social behaviour by site owners – with strong enforcement against those who don’t comply.

Managers or owners of mobile home sites will have to pass a new ‘fit and proper person’ test to prove they are suitable for the job.

Councils will judge the applicant based on their past behaviour and that of their associates and decide if they can be placed on a fit and proper person register. If they fail, councils will have the authority to choose who replaces them.

It will be an offence to operate a site without having a fit and proper manager in place, or to provide false information in an application. Anyone found breaching these rules will be taken to court and could face an unlimited fine.

Eddie Hughes MP, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing said:

Every park home resident deserves a safe, secure and affordable place to live. That is why we have taken this important step to drive up standards across the country.

By introducing a fit and proper person test for site operators, we are strengthening councils’ powers to tackle bad practice and to ensure that residents are protected from exploitation by a minority of rogue site owners.

Councils have until 1 July to prepare to receive applications from site owners. Site owners can start submitting their applications from 1 July 2021 and have until 1 October 2021 to do so.

Approximately 85,000 people in England live in owner occupied mobile homes across 2,000 sites.

Mobile homes fit and proper person test: guidance for local authorities – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

January 2021

Scottish Licensing Consultation

There is a consultation by the Scottish Government into the new (2019) Mobile Home park residents licencing regime.  The consultation is designed to look at the workings of this new scheme.

Jim Haluch, the chair of the Sottish Confederation of Park Home Residents Associations (SCOPHRA) has raised several concerns with the Scottish Parliament about the inconsistencies in the licence conditions imposed by Scottish Councils.

• Some councils enshrine the rights of residents and residents’ associations, most do not.
• There is the anomaly of councils having to grant licences to known rogue owners just to be able to take enforcement action rather than just refuse a licence. Refusal causes the council too much hassle.
• Some councils undertook little or no due diligence before issuing licences,
• Some sites have been allowed to go unlicensed even two years after the deadline, just because owners did not apply, with no action taken against them.

It is the volume of replies that will decide whether the Local Government and Communities Committee will open an enquiry.  PLEASE PARTICIPATE!  Below is the link for this.  Anyone with a view can fill the form and submit it for inclusion.  It is suggested that everyone with a Park Home should contribute, even those south of the border.  The call for views closes on 17 February 2021.

https://yourviews.parliament.scot/lgc/287b444c/

 

November 2020

Wales

Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

First published:

18 November 2020

Last updated:

18 November 2020

Over the past 18 months, we have seen significant changes to our day-to-day lives which could not have been anticipated. This has included dealing with the pandemic, as well as critical issues such as the severe and widespread flooding incidents and preparing for EU exit.  The pandemic has impacted on all of us and it is clear as we enter the winter months that it will continue to have a profound impact on every aspect of our lives.

In March 2019, I decided not to implement the decision to change the commission rate from the sale of a residential park home, but to reconsider the matter afresh.  I wanted to engage with the sector and was minded to undertake further research to ensure I had the strongest possible evidence on which to base a future decision.

To support this, officials developed a draft survey for site owners alongside a draft public consultation document to be used to obtain further evidence on the matter. Options for securing specialist financial expertise to consider the evidence submitted were also explored.

However, since the outbreak of Covid-19, resources have had to be redeployed and housing officials have been working to support people facing an immediate housing crisis to remain in safe and secure accommodation.

Whilst I recognise the importance of the commission rate and the impact this has had on owners of park homes, I have asked officials to temporarily postpone further evidence gathering on this matter, enabling them to continue to focus on the immediate challenges faced as a consequence of Covid-19. This decision will be reviewed following the Senedd elections.

In the meantime, if park home owners have any individual concerns they can contact their local authority. Contact details can be found by entering a postcode here.  They can also obtain free independent legal advice from the Leasehold Advisory Service, more information can be found here.

I would like to extend my thanks to those residing in residential park homes, site owners and managers and those representing the sector for their continued engagement and commitment on this issue.

 

November 2020

The English Government has published the new Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020.

The regulations will be brought into force in two stages:

• Stage one will give local authorities in England until 1st July 2021 to prepare to receive applications from site owners (or “occupiers”), establish their processes for making and issuing decisions, and establish a fit and proper person register for their local area.
• Stage two will provide 3 months from the end of Stage 1 for site owners/licence holders to submit completed applications to local authorities. The deadline for applications is 1st October 2021.

The Government will also publish non-statutory guidance for both local authorities and site owners.

What does this mean for homeowners?

From 1st October 2021 the site owner must be a fit and proper person to lawfully operate a park home site or have a fit and proper site manager in place, unless the site is exempt.

What must a site owner do?

Site owners operating a relevant protected site (if not exempt) must apply to their local authority for the relevant person (themselves or their appointed manager) to be included in the local register of fit and proper persons to manage a site. A site owner may only apply if they hold or have applied for a site licence for the site.

Applications can be made from 1st July 2021

What makes a site exempt?

A site is exempt if it is “a non-commercial family occupied site” . That is one only occupied by members of the same family and that is not being run on a commercial basis.

What will the local authority consider?

To satisfy itself that the relevant person is a fit and proper person to manage the site, and, if so, add the person to the register the local authority must consider:

• The competence of the relevant person to secure the proper management of the site
• Management and financial arrangements of the site
• Prior conduct of the relevant person (E.g. criminal convictions, breaches of Equality Act 2010)

They may also consider

• Conduct of persons associated with the relevant person (through work, socially or otherwise)
• Any other relevant matters

What happens where the site owner has been unable to appoint a fit and proper site manager?

The local authority and site owner may agree that the local authority appoint a person who meets the fit and proper person test to manage the site on behalf of the site owner.

What information is included on the register?

The fit and proper person’s name and business contact details, as well as the name and address of the site, and whether a condition has been attached, will all be included on the register.

How long can someone be included on the register?

A person can be on the register for up to 5 years.

What happens to the register if an application is rejected?

Where an application is rejected, the name and address of the site will be included on the register but not the person’s name or business contact details. Like other registers, local authorities will be required to make the register available to the public and online.

What can a site owner/operator do if he is unhappy with the decision?

A site owner  can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) against a decision to:

• to include the relevant person on the register for a period less than 5 years
• any condition attached to inclusion on the register
• any rejection of an application for inclusion on the register

What happens if the site continues to operate without satisfying the fit and proper person test?

Operating a site in contravention of these regulations is a criminal offence, for which a person would be liable on summary conviction to an unlimited fine.

It is also an offence for an occupier to withhold information from or include false or misleading information in a registration application.

A Local Authority can apply to the FTT for a site licence to be revoked where there has been a contravention of the regulations by the licence holder.

A court that has convicted a relevant person of an offence under these regulations can also revoke a site licence where the person has been convicted of two or more previous breaches for the same site.

Please note the comments NAPHR and others have made regarding the charging for this test:

RESIDENTS TO PAY FOR PROCESSING LOCAL AUTHORITY ` FIT & PROPER` APPLICATIONS –

 

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION AGAINST THIS – SEE BELOW:

The government has said that each local authority will have the freedom to set their own annual fees and that the primary legislation giving the Government power to introduce a fit and proper person test does NOT include a power to prevent site owners from passing on annual or application fees to residents via the pitch fee.

We do NOT agree that the costs incurred by Local Authorities should be passed on to the occupying residents.  If these charges are added to the pitch fee by the Park Owner, they will then become subject to the future compounding of the inflationary index and increase the costs of park home living.

 

A petition has been raised to government seeking to prevent the passing on of such costs and we need your maximum support in signing this petition.

 

The Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government will now consider our objections as part of its commitment to introduce primary legislation to amend and clarify the definition of a pitch fee and prevent the use of variable service charges in written agreements.

 

All signatures to the petition will add to that given commitment.

 

This petition is open to anyone and everyone. Park Home owners, their friends and families and others. PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE as widely as you possibly can.

 

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/331180

October 2020

THE GREEN HOMES GRANT UPDATE

The Independent Park Home Advisory Service (IPHAS), and the National Association of Park Home Residents (NAPHR), have received many enquiries from residents around the Country about the Green Homes Grant. This scheme opened at the end of September and is due to close on 31st March 2021. Since their initial announcement, the Government have confirmed that park homes insulation is covered under this scheme and Park Homes Owners are invited to apply to have work carried out via the government voucher scheme. However, an integral part of the application process is that the Park Homes Owners must obtain an estimate from a Trustmark, or Government approved installer and the work must be carried out by a Trustmark installer.

However, IPHAS and NAPHR have now been informed by the owner of a Company currently engaged in the accreditation process, that certification will take up to 6 to 8 weeks. We are further advised that few if any, installers have the necessary certification as the accreditation bodies were unaware of the scheme until it was announced.

IPHAS and NAPHR consider there is a significant risk that the Government budget for the scheme may be exhausted before many Park Homes Owners are able to take advantage of the scheme.

In order to ensure that Park Homes Owners are given a fair and reasonable opportunity to access this scheme before it closes, IPHAS and NAPHR have now alerted the Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, for the Welfare of Park Home Residents, Sir Christopher Chope OBE, to these issues with a request that urgent attention be given to the accreditation process, and a list of certified installers is provided on the appropriate UK.GOV Website and most importantly, that consideration be given to ringfencing an adequate proportion of the Green Homes Grant Budget to ensure that Park Homes Owners are afforded a fair opportunity to access this vital opportunity.

Should Park Homes Owners wish to lobby Sir Christopher on this matter, his contact details are as follows:

Sir Christopher Chope OBE MP.
Constituency office, 37 Bargates, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1QD.
Tel: 01425 541087.
Westminster Office at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA,
Tel 07747 111 477
Email to: chopec@parliament.uk.

You can also lobby Mr Luke Hall MP, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing
Constituency Office, 26 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AH
Email to: luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk

September 2020

RESIDENTS TO PAY FOR PROCESSING LOCAL AUTHORITY ` FIT & PROPER` APPLICATIONS –

 

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION AGAINST THIS – SEE BELOW:

The government has said that each local authority will have the freedom to set their own annual fees and that the primary legislation giving the Government power to introduce a fit and proper person test does NOT include a power to prevent site owners from passing on annual or application fees to residents via the pitch fee.

We do NOT agree that the costs incurred by Local Authorities should be passed on to the occupying residents.  If these charges are added to the pitch fee by the Park Owner, they will then become subject to the future compounding of the inflationary index and increase the costs of park home living.

 

A petition has been raised to government seeking to prevent the passing on of such costs and we need your maximum support in signing this petition.

 

The Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government will now consider our objections as part of its commitment to introduce primary legislation to amend and clarify the definition of a pitch fee and prevent the use of variable service charges in written agreements.

 

All signatures to the petition will add to that given commitment.

 

This petition is open to anyone and everyone. Park Home owners, their friends and families and others. PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE as widely as you possibly can.

 

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/331180

 

WARM HOME DISCOUNT SCHEME

Park Home residents across Great Britain could be eligible to receive a £140 contribution towards their winter energy costs through the Govemment’s Warm Home Discount Scheme.  Park Home residents can appIy for the scheme from the 7th September by visiting http://www.Parkhomeswhd.com

GREEN HOMES VOUCHER SCHEME

On 4^th August, the Government announced further details about the Green Homes Grant Scheme.

Under the scheme, the Government will provide a voucher towards the cost of installing energy efficient and low-carbon heating improvements to homes in England. The voucher will cover up to two-thirds of the cost for homeowners and landlords and up to 100% of the cost for low in-come households.

THE SCHEME WILL APPLY TO PARK HOME RESIDENTS.

Details of the available measures can be found here:

https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/pages/green-homes-grant or by calling the FREEPHONE HELPLINE on telephone 0800444202

July 2020

Fit and Proper Person

The Government has published the result of its consultation on the subject of the Fit and Proper Person Test for site owners/managers.  When the Regulation is published, it will be available on the House of Commons website at https://statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/. The Regulations are affirmative and will have to be debated by both Houses before they come into force next year.

To read the results of the consultation and the Government response please click: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/898302/200702_Park_homes_Government_response.pdf

March 2020

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT BRIAN DOICK.

I have just received the sad news that Lord Graham of Edmonton passed away on Saturday 21st March 2020 at the age of 94 years.

I was introduced to Lord Graham at a Meeting in the Houses of Parliament in 1996 when we at NAPHR and IPHAS were working to obtain better Rights for Mobile Home Residents.

Lord Ted (as he asked to be called) then set up various meetings and formed the All Party Group as a recognised body to involve all MPs and Lords.  He obtained for us our very first meeting with a Housing Minister and from that meeting in 1998 the Mobile Home Working Group was established to review the Mobile Home Legislation.  He gave us all the guidance and help that he could.

Lord Ted was a Gentleman with a very kind heart and a very fair mind.  He believed that there are two sides to a coin which created Justice when applied correctly.

His Parliamentary experience and the number of speeches that he made in the House of Lords on Mobile Home matters gave a lot of weight to the strengthening of our Legislation.

I feel that the passing of our Great Friend is a very big loss to all Mobile Home Residents.  Each and every-one of us are now receiving the benefits of this very Great Man.

May he Rest in Peace

November 2019

Unfortunately, due to increasing costs we have found it necessary to increase the annual membership fee from £5 to £6 and the bulk membership fee (for entitlement see the Membership page) from £3 to £4 as from 1st January 2020.

NAPHR 2019 Newsletter

2019 September Newsletter

April 2019

New guidance has been published for those that want to use the Tribunal Service in the Southern Region.  Further details can be found here Southern Tribunal Changes

March 2019

Written Statement: Update on Implementing Changes to the Park Homes Commission Rate – Wales

Julie James AM, Minister for Housing & Local Government

First published: 27 March 2019

Last updated: 27 March 2019

As you will know from my statement of 4 March, the decision to reduce the maximum rate of commission payable on the sale of a mobile home by one percentage point each year from 10% to 5% has been the subject of judicial review proceedings.  As part of that process, I gave a commitment to the Court not to introduce any changes until the Judicial Review was complete.

Having given careful consideration to information which has come to light since proceedings began, I have decided not to implement the decision, but to reconsider the matter afresh.

As members, park home owners and site owners would expect, I want to ensure that all relevant information is fully considered before any change to the maximum rate of commission is implemented.

Therefore, and in order to ensure any change properly achieves the objectives it was intended to achieve, I will be re-taking the decision on whether to change the maximum rate of commission, and if so by how much and over what period, entirely afresh.

As part of my reconsideration I will be engaging with the sector and am minded to commission further research to ensure I have the strongest possible evidence base on which to base my decision.

I realise that some people, park home residents in particular, may be disappointed to hear this. However, it is important to ensure all information available is carefully considered.  Ministers’ concerns throughout this matter have been to balance the interests of all parties.

I believe that reconsideration of the decision will contribute further to that aim, and is the best way forward for all parties. I will keep members informed on this matter.

 

 

December 2018

See our Newsletter sent to all members of NAPHR.  The content shows just how hard our President works with the Government to highlight the problems Mobile Home residents have and to ensure that these problems are taken into consideration when discussing amendments to legislation.

December 2018 Newsletter

November 2018

10% Commission – a Briefing Paper has been published in the House of Commons Library.  The Government is to commission research to gather relevant data to enable a detailed assessment of the likely impacts of a change to the 10% commission charge in England on residents and site owners. A timetable for the research will be announced in due course.

The full Briefing can be read here: http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN07003/SN07003.pdf

November 2018

The Welsh Assembly has announced that it intends to reduce the commission payable on sale of the home by one per cent each year over 5 years.  The Assembly has now issued a consultation document asking for your views on how this could be implemented.  The document can be downloaded from https://beta.gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2018-09/implementing-changes-to-the-park-home-commission-rate.pdf.  Your response must be in by 14th December 2018.

October 2018 – Update on the Government Review

On Monday 22nd October 2018 the Official Report to the call for evidence and review of the 2013 Mobile Homes Act was published.  The Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP confirmed that Government will bring forward Legislation in due course when Parliamentary time allows.

1/   To amend and clarify the definition of Pitch Fee and prevent the use of variable charges in Written Agreements.

2/   To simplify the complex and opaque company structures used by some rogue Site Owners to limit Residents’ Security of Tenure and  avoid liability for any enforcement action.  (The Government Response clearly states that these practices are unjustifiable and  unacceptable).  Action is clearly needed to protect Residents from such abuses.

3/   To introduce a Fit and Proper Person Test  for Site Owners.

4/   To change the Pitch Fee Review Inflationary Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  NAPHR will inform  residents when this comes into force.

5/   The Government will commission research to gather relevant data to enable a detailed assessment of the likely impact of a change to the 10% Commission on both the Sales of Homes and Site Owners.

6/   To support good Site Owners by engaging with trade bodies to set up a primary authority to work with the Industry and provide expert advice to other Local Authorities on Licensing issues.

7/   To engage with Local Authorities through the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the Site Licensing Officers’ Forum to support them in raising awareness among Local Authorities about their existing powers and sharing and developing Best Practice on Enforcement for dealing with Harassment Cases.

8/   The Government will also set up a Working Group of Representatives from across the Sector to support the implementation of the Government Response to the review of Mobile Homes Legislation and to raise awareness about Residents’ Rights and Obligations. It will look at streamlining and improving the processes for Selling Mobile Homes, making Site Rules, carrying out Pitch Fee Reviews and improving  the standards of Rented Homes. It will also consider any typical issues that may arise in the Mobile Homes Sector.

9/   The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government called a meeting on the 25th October 2018 to confirm that the Members that attended from the following Organisations would form the above Working Group. Representatives from:

Private Rented Sector MHCLG (4); Leasehold Advisory Service; Age UK; National Association of Park Home Residents; Independent Park Homes Advisory Service; British Holiday and Home Park Association; The National Caravan Council; Local Authority Reps:Licensing Officers (4)

The Meetings are to take place six weekly and will be Chaired by Emma Garrett Head of the Enforcement Team  MHCLG

Further to the above, the Government Response states they are committed to bringing forward Legislation that will prevent Rogue Site Owners from extracting evermore monies from Residents that are already on low Incomes, to prevent the Rogue Owners from restricting Security of Tenure and giving more strength to Local Authorities to Enforce Conditions on Parks.

We at NAPHR see this response by the Government to the evidence before them as being very positive and when the Legislation is enacted it will be a big step forward and will enable Residents to have a better and more secure Tenure of their park living.

I will continue to work for you all for further improvement through the Working Group.

Kind Regards

B J Doick

Brian Doick MBE, President of the National Association of Park Homes Residents.

T: 01903 816247           E: bjdoick@btinternet.com

25 Mount Park, Bostal Road, Steyning, West Sussex. BN44 3PD

The Government Press Release can be found at the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-plans-to-stamp-out-rogue-mobile-home-site-owners

The full Government Response can be found at the link below:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/749771/Park_homes_Review_Government_response.pdf

 

DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY POLICIES

We as an Association are duty bound to inform you that the personal information that you give to NAPHR either directly or via your local Coordinator is covered by the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations). This means that we will store your information securely and will not use it for any purpose other than to communicate with you. Should any of your contact details change please remember to let our Membership Secretary know so that she can ensure that our records are kept up-to-date and accurate.  Should we need to use your information for any other purpose we will ask you for your written authority.

All the above are legal requirements which also apply to Park Residents’ Associations or any organisations as keepers of other people’s personal information. So, make sure that you do not fall in breach of the law by misusing information that is entrusted to you.

If you wish to have a copy of our Data Protection and/or Privacy Policy, please contact Keith Hayward (keith.hayward.naphr@gmail.com)