Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP, and leading Park Homes campaigner, Steve Brine has welcomed new rights for park home residents which have formally come into force.
The Mobile Homes Act 2013, which was successfully steered through Parliament by Peter Aldous MP and Lord Richard Best supported by the All-Party Homes Group of which Mr Brine is Vice Chairman, will ensure that the rights of park home residents are respected and their homes are safe from exploitation by unscrupulous site owners. It focuses on four key areas:
1) introducing new statutory rules for the sale of park homes, including preventing site owners from blocking residents' sales in the open market;
2) preventing owners from imposing unreasonable site rules for their own benefit;
3) making reviews of pitch fees more transparent and linked to site conditions;
4) strengthening councils' role in licensing and enforcement of park homes sites.
To mark the Act becoming law, the Government has launched a new national helpline, operated by the Leasehold Advisory Service, for residents to get advice on their rights when selling or gifting their home and a special leaflet giving full details. Both can be accessed via Steve's dedicated web-page at www.stevebrine.com/parkhomes.
Following a long-running campaign, Steve Brine said: "I'm delighted that the Government is safeguarding park home residents across Winchester & Chandler's Ford, and so proud that I was able to play part in bringing this legislation forward. For too long, some but not all, unscrupulous operators have made residents' lives a misery, intimidating people and manipulating the rules to turn a quick profit.
"These new protections will close the loopholes to root out the rogue operators and ensure those who run an honest business will continue to flourish. Winchester City Council will also now have the powers to protect the vulnerable, so park home residents will be able to enjoy their rural retreats in peace."
Steve Brine has numerous park home sites in his constituency; including in Colden Common, Sutton Scotney, Littleton, Morn Hill, Alresford and Oliver's Battery.
Pictured; Steve Brine speaking in Parliament in the Mobile Homes debate as captured by BBC TV , and discussing the Bill in Westminster with colleagues Robert Buckland and Peter Aldous MP, who brought the Bill to the House