Mobile homes

Cheltenham mobile homes

Considerable progress continues to be made in improving standards on Cheltenham’s mobile home sites, and we welcome the introduction of the Mobile Homes Act 2013. There are over 300 mobile homes in the Cheltenham borough area on around 14 licensed sites.

The establishment of new mobile home sites is currently constrained by local planning policies and we don't expect this to change in the foreseeable future.

What is a mobile home?

The legal definition of a mobile home is the same as that for a caravan.

Broadly speaking, it covers any structure designed or adapted for people to live in which is capable of being moved from one place to another (whether by being towed or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer). It also includes any motor vehicle designed or adapted to live in.

Railway stock on a railway line which is in use and tents are not classed as mobile homes.

The definition includes twin units separately constructed and designed for assembly on site, provided that the twin unit is physically capable of being moved when assembled (whether by being towed or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer). The twin unit must be no more than 60 feet (18.288 metres) long, 20 feet (6.096 metres) wide and the living accommodation no more than 10 feet (3.048 metres) high.

The question of whether any individual home is classed as a mobile home can only be decided finally by a court. If you are not sure whether the definition applies to your mobile home you should consult your local authority or Citizens Advice Bureau or seek advice from a solicitor.

Site licence conditions - what do they mean to you?

Each park site owner (the site licence holder) will need to meet the conditions attached to their licence which help to ensure their site is run properly and safely.

Site licence conditions are principally concerned with the physical conditions at each privately owned park. Conditions will cover things like:

• park layout and spacing
• how many mobile homes there can be on the site
• landscaping and its management
• fire precautions
• site parking for residents and visitors
• storage provision and its construction
• health and safety

The site owner must keep to the conditions attached to the licence. However, in the event of a disagreement about site licence conditions, residents are advised to first contact their site manager to help resolve the issues. 

For help with complaints about site conditions that can't be resolved by discussion with the owner please contact the private sector housing team.

For a copy of the site licence conditions, please contact your site owner, who must by law display a copy on the official site notice board.

Laws which cover mobile home sites

The Mobile Homes Act 2013

The Mobile Homes Act 2013 aims to improve standards in the industry and give greater safeguards to mobile park home residents, whilst providing the local authority with greater enforcement powers to address site contraventions.

Advice on the new licensing enforcement tools is available for park home site owners.

This new legislation has introduced a number of changes, including:

• the removal of the requirement for the site owner to consent to the sale or gift of a mobile home on his or her site
• the requirement for any increase (or decrease) in site fees to be published and in line with retail price index, unless there are exceptional circumstances. 28 days notice of any annual change in fees must be given
• banning certain site rules giving new procedures for a site owner to follow if they want to make a new site rule
• new protection against harassment, illegal eviction and the giving of false information

Model Standards 2008

The Model Standards 2008 represent what is normally to be expected as a matter of good practice on caravan sites. They should be applied with due regard to the particular circumstances of the relevant site, including its physical character, any relevant services, facilities or other amenities that are available within or in the locality of the site and other applicable conditions.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order reforms the law relating to fire safety in non-domestic premises.

One of the key aspects of the order is the requirement for the responsible person (usually the employer or the person in control of the premises) to carry out a fire risk assessment. This assessment involves identifying and evaluating the fire risks at the premises. They will also be responsible for  implementing appropriate fire safety measures to mitigate those risks.

The Mobile Homes Act 1983

The Mobile Homes Act 1983 introduced important new rules about security of tenure, the sale of mobile homes, the gift of a mobile home and rights concerning the inheritance of a mobile home.

The act also placed a duty on park owners to issue a written agreement to individual park residents, containing implied/express terms which were required to be observed.

The Caravan Sites Act 1968

On the 1 April 1970 new measures to restrict harassment and eviction of mobile home residents were introduced. The Caravan Sites Act 1968 covered provision for Gypsy sites and set out the difference between ‘protected’ and ‘non-protected’ sites, that is to say: permanent residential mobile home sites verses touring sites and holiday caravan sites.

The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960

The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act means that we can stop land being used for people to live in caravans without first obtaining a formal licence. This enables us to monitor sites, making sure adequate facilities exist to ensure decent living standards for residents.

Fees policy

We have a legal duty to create and publish a fees policy. 

This sets out the introduction of fees and charges for the costs of licensing and monitoring compliance of the licences and separate charges for any formal enforcement action taken.

Park rule register

We have a legal duty to provide an up-to-date register of lawful site rules for each protected mobile home park within our district. Read the mobile homes site rules regulations 2014 for more information.

The onus is placed on individual site owners to consult with its park residents and then formally lodge a copy of its site rules with us.

Fit and proper person

The owner of a mobile home site is required to apply to us for the relevant person (either themselves or the site manager), to be included on a register of fit and proper persons.  

A site owner may only apply if they hold or have applied for a site licence for that site. The same requirements apply where the owner or the site manager is not an individual, such as a park owned or managed by a company.

The person applying to appear on the register will need a basic DBS certificate (dated no more than 6 months before the date of the application) and this must be included with the application. The DBS certificate must be from an approved supplier. Information about how to arrange a DBS check can be found on GOV.UK.