Can my site owner deny me the right to TV reception
My site owner provides a normal terrestrial TV aerial for the dozen homes on our park but this is not sufficient for digital reception. The owner recently wrote to home owners saying he would upgrade the aerial for a payment of £65 per home. Only one other resident and I agreed; the others declined arguing that they already had Sky TV and did not need another aerial.
The site owner forbids residents from erecting their own terrestrial aerials so, if I want Sky or Freeserve, I will need to get a dish. The only suitable spot for a dish on my plot that gets good reception is at the front of my home, slightly to one side and this would be visible from the site road. Anywhere else around my home is blocked by trees.
The site owner says that such a dish needs to be concealed by bushes. This would block reception. I would also need to get the green light from other residents for the dish.
Can my site owner deny me the right to TV reception?
Can the site owner change the rules regarding pets?
Q I would be obliged if you could clarify an issue in respect of changes to site rules. When we first took up residence at our park it was made clear to us, and indeed it was one of the reasons we selected the park, that pets were allowed: both cats and dogs. Specifically, we were informed that one small dog per property was perfectly acceptable under the site rules.
Subsequently, the site owner has stated that when dogs die they cannot be replaced and he is no longer allowing new residents on the site to have dogs.
In respect to the Written Statement under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 provided to us it makes reference to ‘site rules’ as annexed to the statement – no such ruled have ever been provided in writing, but it was made clear at the start of our residency that we could keep one small dog (this was understood by all residents at the time to be one of the site rules and the site was advertised as such). At no time has the site owner given us a copy of any new site rules or advised that he intended to change the current rules.
Why, upon selling up, do we have to pay the park owners 15 per cent commission?
Q I bought my holiday caravan in 2005 which was purely a holiday agreement signed by myself and the previous owners. The caravan is currently on the market for sale as it was the worst thing I could have possibly entered into with the current park owners. Why, upon selling up, do we have to pay the park owners 15 per cent commission? This is a lot of money of which I will not see the result if I sell.
It seem seems that the owners have all the rights and we have no say. My issues are:
On one side the caravans are residential. In our field of seven, all are occupied all year bar November when we all have to be out. Why is this?
Why, if we have just a holiday let, can we not sub-let our own static caravans?
The owners said that the 15 per cent commission was for park development. They do hardly anything - it’s a complete rip off.
In the summer campervans and tents also hook up, while there is not enough provision for rubbish and the park is overrun with rabbits.
I have no path to my caravan. Surely this is something the owners pay for?
What are the rules for selling a mobile home?
Q I am the executrix for a mobile home and I have a potential buyer. If they agree to buy, I understand I must inform the park owner in writing of the potential buyer and the park owner must reply within 28 days. Can you let me know the following:
1. What details of the potential buyer must I supply?
2. Is this a face-to-face interview between the park owner and the potential buyer?
3. What if the potential buyer lives too far away to attend an interview?
4. Can we attend this interview as well as the potential buyer, to ensure the park owner makes no inaccurate statements?
5. If not, can we send a representative in our place?
6. Does the park owner have to reply before or after the interview?
We’ve recently set up a residents’ association but I’m troubled by the nature of our constitution. What can we do about this?
Q. At the inaugural meeting of our park’s residents’ association the model constitution as laid down by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) was adopted. It seems wrong that the constitution should be laid down by a body representing site owners and not by an organisation for residents’ interests. On the back of this lingering concern, I have some questions for your attention:
1. To whom do we refer for guidance?
2. Are we entitled to have displayed both the site licence and site insurance certificates on site?
3. Likewise, are we entitled to a copy of utility bills including LPG?
4. Meter readings, gas, water/sewerage and electricity are taken on an irregular basis. Is there any recourse to this?
A cowboy builder ruined our path, what can we do?
Q We recently had some building work carried out by a cowboy firm who severely bodged the job of concreting our path from the rear door to the gateway. The path is breaking up continually and the price charged was exorbitant. We gave the builders 14 days’ notice to make good the work and warned them that if they did not do so we would have the path re-done and make a claim against them at the Small Claims Court, also notifying Trading Standards. Can we do anything more?
How do we bequeath our home?
Q My wife and I live in a large double unit home with our 29-year-old son. We’d like to know where our son stands, legally, if, God forbid, anything happens to both of us? How should we word the will so that we, as a couple, bequeath the home to him?
Should I trust my estate agents word?
Q I hope to sell my park home. The estate agent wants me to ‘take on trust of word’ the buyers will come at the date they say when I will have paid removers.
I am elderly and going into a home. I cannot stay in an empty home and fund it if no buyers come. A solicitor would cost money I desperately need. Is there any wording I could use to state the date and receipt of a part payment to cover me?
Will my insurance cover site clearance and home replacement?
Q I have a comprehensive insurance policy on my home at a level which far exceeds its face value. The key features cover a wide range of possible needs but do not spell out a procedure in the event of a total loss e.g. the home is destroyed.
In such an event, are all costs associated with clearance of the site, replacement of the home with a new unit of similar standard and specification, the restoration of all services and interim accommodation expenses covered?
Further, must the replacement unit be obtained via the site owner or can I buy direct? Is payment made to the insured or the park site owner
Is there a legal limit on tree height?
Q Is there a legal limit on the height of conifers on parks? I'm currently in dispute with my park owner over boundary trees between homes.
