AM calls for Equal Protection of Vulnerable Welsh Park Home Residents

12.36.38pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 20th Aug 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has called for the Welsh Assembly Government to move swiftly to follow England's move to implement the protective New Implied Terms for Park Homes Legislation in Wales.

Kirsty Williams has called for WAG to speed up the process of putting the amendments to the Mobile Homes Act (1983) into force, as nearly 11 months after the Legislation came into place in England Welsh Mobile Park Residents remain unprotected from unscrupulous Park Home Owners.

Kirsty said: "Not only is it imperative that the residents of Wales be given the same rights and protection as their English counterparts but it is also an ideal opportunity for the short fallings of the legislation in England to be examined and redressed to the benefit of Welsh citizens."

"I have made a number of representations to the previous Ministers for Social Justice and Local Government on behalf of my own constituents and have been told that the Legislation will not be examined until Autumn; whilst I appreciate that nothing can be implemented until the Assembly is back in session I strongly feel that this issue should be higher up the government's agenda when the new term starts."

"I have been contacted by elderly constituents who have been bullied out of selling their homes by Park Owners who then seek to purchase them at much lower prices - with the backing of improved legislation clearly setting out the rights of residents, cases like this could be more easily stopped and residents would be given fairer ownership rights, greater control over sales and improved safeguards against harassment."

"It is important that when the Assembly examines the proposed new laws they learn from the mistakes made in England and look at toughening up the Legislation and ensuring that provisions for proper enforcement are made."

Kirsty's Lib Dem colleague, Powys County Councillor Les Davies added; "Whilst certainly not all Park Owners lack integrity, there are a worrying number of complaints from residents throughout England and Wales against the unreasonable conditions placed upon them by owners particularly when trying to sell the Homes."

"Of particular concern is the fact that many of those living in Park Homes are the financially vulnerable and elderly; whose life savings have often been put into their Park home and who have everything to loose if taken advantage of by the owners."

Notes:

Both Kirsty Williams and Cllr Les Davies represent residents of Caerwnon Park Home, Builth Wells, and Sunnyhaven Park, Howey in Powys.

Face the Facts broadcast a programme highlighting cases of rogue Owners intimidating residents on Friday 3rd August. For transcript: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/facethefacts/transcript_20070803.shtml

The Housing Act 2004 (the 2004 Act) and the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amendment of Schedule 1) (England) Order 2006 (the 2006 Order) add to and amend the implied terms set out in the 1983 Act. The changes as result of the 2004 Act came into force on 18 January 2005. The changes as a result of the 2006 Order came into force on 1 October 2006 in England.

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