Scottish Government announces more rights for Mobile Home Owners
Written by Kevin Rennie on September 4, 2013
Residents of mobile home parks are to have improved rights, announced Housing Minister Margaret Burgess today.
Changes include allowing owners of mobile homes to sell their properties through estate agents and solicitors, as well as making it compulsory for park owners to show residents any shared bills on request.
The Housing Minister highlighted the legislation coming into force today, which updates the Mobile Homes Act, during a visit to Willow Wood in West Lothian.
Legislation on when a park owner can enter a resident’s property has also been tightened.
In Scotland 3,500 households live permanently in mobile or ‘park’ homes across the country.
Speaking ahead of her visit to Willow Wood, Mrs Burgess said:
“The Scottish Government recognises the important role that residential mobile home living plays in the housing sector in Scotland.
“Through public consultations it became apparent that there was increasing evidence that the legislation needed to be strengthened in order to protect the welfare of residents.
“While the majority of park owners provide an ethical and fair service, previous legislation allowed unscrupulous owners to take advantage of residents, many of which are elderly.
“Previous laws meant that owners could only sell their property if the park owner approved the prospective purchaser. There was also no legislation in place when it came to seeing bills shared with other residents.
“The changes we are bringing in today (September 1) will give residents improved rights.”
