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Park Homes: New Role for RPTS

02/06/2009

The Government has published its follow-up response to its consultation paper A new approach for resolving disputes and to proceedings relating to park homes under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (as amended). The response, published on 12 May, proposes that a number of jurisdictions transfer from the courts to RPTS.

There was strong support for the transfer in the public consultation. The cases that it is proposed to transfer to RPTS comprise those that concern

• residents' right to have a written statement;
• refusals to approve the sale of a home;
• the gift of a home;
• the re-siting of park homes;
• pitch fee reviews;
• the recognition of residents' associations;
• matters that may be implied into an agreement under Part II of schedule 1 to the Act;
• the varying or deletion of an express term.

Proposals for RPTS to deal with disputes arising over the termination of an agreement to occupy a pitch will be subject to a further short consultation.

Commenting on the Government proposals, Siobhan McGrath, Senior President of RPTS, said

"We are delighted with the Government's plans. These jurisdictions will fit well into our role as an expert housing tribunal service. We look forward to assisting park home residents and site owners in resolving their disputes."

The transfer will be subject to Parliamentary approval through secondary legislation. No decision has yet been made about the timing.

The Government also launched a consultation exercise on 12 May about possible reforms to the park homes site licensing regime. RPTS will be responding to this in the next two months.