The laws about the owning and renting of mobile homes are different to those about the owning and renting of traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ properties. This section explains your rights if you own or rent a mobile home such as a caravan or a park home, or you rent a pitch to place it on.

A mobile home could be:

• a caravan
• a motorhome
• a prefabricated bungalow or park home.

If you rent a mobile home that can be moved, then your renting agreement is probably not an ‘occupation contract’. Find out more on our advice page Renting agreements that are not occupation contacts.

As the owner or tenant of a mobile home, you have certain responsibilities as well as rights. Your rental agreement, residential contract or written statement will probably list certain rules that you must follow while you are living in your mobile home. It’s important that you stick to these conditions; otherwise the site owner may be able to evict you.

Keep up to date with rent and other payments

It’s vital that you keep up to date with payments for the rent of your mobile home or pitch, and for service charges. The site owner may try to evict you otherwise. Contact Shelter Cymru for help if you have rent arrears or if you need help with debts. It’s also worth checking whether you can claim housing benefit to cover some of your rent or pitch fees.

Talk to the site owner

• If you have any problems or concerns about the park, speak to the site owner about them as soon as possible.
• If you want to make any changes or improvements to your mobile home (for example, adding a porch or putting a fence up), always ask the site owner’s permission first.
• If you’re going away for a long period of time, let the site owner know, preferably in writing.

Be a good neighbour

Park homes are small communities so it’s important that you respect the peace and privacy of your neighbours. Anti-social behaviour can include things like:

• having music on too loudly
• not keeping pets under control
• allowing your children or visitors to be a nuisance
• leaving rubbish about the site
• being noisy.

Take care of your mobile home

If you own your mobile home, obviously you are responsible for keeping it well maintained and carrying out any necessary repairs. If you rent your mobile home, your rental agreement should state your responsibilities towards its upkeep. Your responsibilities can include tidying the garden, keeping the home clean and well decorated and carrying out minor repair jobs. Landlords are responsible for most major repairs to the property.

Stick to the rules

Most parks ask their residents to keep to certain rules, covering things like:

• pets
• guests
• parking
• the disposal of rubbish
• laundry
• noise nuisance.

These rules are generally designed to keep the park a happy, peaceful environment, so make sure you stick to them.

We are sorry that we cannot provide this information in Welsh, however if you would like to speak to an adviser in Welsh please contact 08000 495 495.