WE HAVE TO FIGHT BACK NOW!
Some years ago when the Government first indicated that they were considering reviewing Park Home Law one of the residents of our park mentioned to our unscrupulous park owner that it was rumoured that the government were going to strengthen the rights of park homeowners. “Yes, the park owner replied, there are new laws coming out, but they will all be in our (park owners) favour”. How right he was as recent events have proved. As every park homeowner trapped on a park owned by an unscrupulous park owner will know as each phase of this new legislation becomes law its proven practical effect is to strengthen even more the rights of park owners forever tightening the UPO’s stranglehold over their helpless and captive residents. “Squeeze em till the pips squeak” is the unscrupulous park owners motto. This Government has given them the authority to stamp on and crush the squeaking pips as well. Well as said ealier ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The majority of Park Homeowners are the elderly and retired who have worked hard all their lives paid all their taxes, raised families and have made a life long contribution to the prosperity of this country. Indeed many of those residing in park homes today sacrificed years of their lives fighting in the second world war to preserve the freedom of this country. Without their valiant efforts this country would have been taken over by a ruthless dictator. Is it not a sad inditement of those in power that while they persist in their failure to provide homeowners with enforceable protection they, (Government) will be seen to condone, even encourage, the despicable activities of unscrupulous park owners with the result that many of those who served their country during the war years are daily living in fear and fighting all over again, at the most vulnerable time of their lives, for their survival against another breed of equally ruthless, power crazed and greed driven dictators. (Unscrupulous Park Owners) Park homeowners are human beings and should not be expected by Government indifference to tolerate such treatment from unscrupulous park owners whose crooked activities widely practiced against innocent park homeowners with impunity would be regarded, in any other walk of life but the park home industry, as criminal acts for which they would be prosecuted and receive richly deserved prison sentences.
SO WHAT DOES PHRAA PROPOSE TO DO ABOUT IT?
As mentioned at the start of this newsletter the balance of power and influence at Government level is overwhelmingly in favour of the Park Homeowners backed up by their trade organisations with their combined unlimited financial resources and “very clever” specialist Legal Teams. Against that we have the Park Homeowners supported and represented at Government level by two and a half (one IPHAS works for both sides) voluntary National Residents Associations including PHRAA whose combined membership only represents a small proportion of the estimated 250,000 homeowners. As we are sure you will agree, given that as the odds are currently stacked against us park homeowners it is no surprise that the government is swayed by the industry into giving them everthing they want to the deriment of the residents as proved by the ever worsening mess we are in now. PHRAA AIMS TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD BY PROVIDING PARK HOMEOWNERS WITH THE URGENTLY NEEDED EQUALLY POWERFUL VOICE AT GOVERNMENT LEVEL BY URGING EVERY ONE OF THE ESTIMATED 250,000 PARK HOMEOWNERS TO JOIN PHRAA AND BECOME A MEMBER OF WHAT IS A NATIONAL UNION OF PARK HOME RESIDENTS.
By accepting this invitation to become a member of PHRAA Park Homeowners nationwide will be joining together as a much needed united force, unprecedented within the history of the park home lifestyle, powerful enough to redress the balance of power presently totally monopolised by park owners.
Owning a park home site is a business and like any other business the park owner has a right to expect a reasonable return from his investment. As with any other business success is entirely dependant on its supplying the goods or services as specified by its customers. However in the case of the park home industry and with the aid of the present park home law, the unscrupulous park owner succeeds by imposing, with impunity, his own dictatorial terms and conditions upon his captive customers (park homeowners). But we are the customers and without us there would be no park home industry. BY ONLY TINKERING WITH THIS PARK OWNER BIASED LEGISLATION THIS GOVERNMENT IS FIDDLING WHILE PARK HOME RESIDENTS BURN. LITERALLY AS RECENT CASES PROVE.
To those park homeowners fortunate to be happily living on parks owned by one of the rapidly diminishing number of good and caring park owners (good park owners have nothing to fear from PHRAA and would surely welcome new enforceable laws to rid the industry of the rogues) you may think there is no need for you to join PHRAA as the problems don’t effect you. But always remember, your park could be sold at any time and without any warning and the odds are that it will be sold to an unscrupulous park owner. What would you do then? Don’t think it cannot happen to you. Don’t be caught unawares. Be prepared have the strenght of PHRAA behind you.
RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS.
Hardly a day goes by when PHRAA does not hear of residents encountering problems with starting or maintaining a Residents Association on their park. Most of these problems are a direct result of the strict conditions imposed by the Government contained within the recent changes to park home law setting out the criteria which has to be met before the park owner is required to recognise the association as a QUALIFYING RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION. (QRA) Whilst on paper the legislation appears to give the residents the right to form an RA providing it meets the criteria, in practice especially when an unscrupulous park owner is involved the opposite is true and has resulted in many RA’s being crushed before they can start and the rapid demise of those already established, including those that were established prior to the new legislation especially if the park has changed ownership.
Whilst most good park owners would welcome an RA on their parks, the unscrupulous park owner (UPO) certainly does not. As residents unfortunate enough to be living under the tyrannical rule of a UPO will know to their cost, “Divide and conquer” is the only rule he operates and god help any resident who stands in his way.
As mentioned above the legislation has imposed strict conditions which an RA has to meet in order to become a Qualifying Residents Association under the Act. For the purposes of this article we will only deal with those PHRAA regards as detrimental to residents rights.
(1)….. In order to be recognised by the park owner as a QRA it must consist of, and maintain, a membership at least 50% of residents. Whilst this requirement may appear reasonable in practice it is wide open to abuse by the UPO determined to crush an RA. For example, a park consisting of a 100 homes with 50 of the occupiers being members of the RA. The UPO then visits one of the most vulnerable members, usually the little old lady living alone, issuing threats of dire consequences if she stays a member, then because membership is now 49 instead of 50, the RA ceases to be a QRA.
(2)…… A list of the names and addresses of members has to maintained at all times and be open to public inspection. This means in practice that the park owner has open access to this list, which in the case of the UPO will certainly result in members being subject to the type of intimidation as that described in (1) above and the demise of the RA.
(3)…… Last but not least, Voting rights are restricted to ONE VOTE PER HOME. This means that the legal right to vote on matters concerning their future has been taken away from wives, partners and co-owners of park homes. Emily Pankhurst must be turning in her grave. Only in the park home industry could they get away with this insult to democracy.
A telling example of just how this outrageous clause in the Act can effect the life or death of an RA came in a recent letter to PHRAA from a resident of a park with a UPO whose RA had just been disbanded. It appears that the officers all resigned and no one else was willing to take over. He was willing to take over but found, as he put it “He was barred by law* because his partner was the registered homeowner. He ended his letter with “God help us all now”.
As with everything else to do with the oppressive park home lifestyle the rules dictate that the park owners permission is needed to have a residents association on your park. Some park owners even “strongly discourage residents” from becoming a member of certain national residents associations such as PHRAA. But don’t dispair help is at hand. If you are finding it difficult or impossible to form a RA on your park or the existing RA has disbanded for whatever reason including intimidation of members by the park owner, let PHRAA take the strain.
PHRAA is offering all park home residents who wish to be represented by a residents association on their park this unique opportunity to be represented without the fear of retribution from their park owner in all matters to do with your park owner, local council, MP and Government. This means that by appointing PHRAA as your park representative any dealings you have with the park owner, local council and others would be conducted on your behalf and in your interests by PHRAA based upon your instructions following PHRAA’s advice and evidence available. Your voice will be heard, but PHRAA will take the flack instead of you. In effect PHRAA would act as your parks Residents Association.
In order that PHRAA can represent your park effectively we would need your park residents to fullfil a few simple conditions as follows…..
(1)….. Residents wishing to participate would be required to become members of PHRAA
(2)…. We would need as many residents as possible to join. A majority would be ideal but not essential.
(3)….. In order to opperate this innovative scheme PHRAA would need at least one calm and collected resident, trusted by his fellow residents, prepared to act as the PHRAA Liaison Officer for the park. If there are others also prepared to help, perhaps as a committee, this would be ideal.
(4)…. All communications and relevant information concerning park matters received by residents from the park owner, local authorities, solicitors and others must be passed to PHRAA either individually or via the Liaison Officer, (for your own protection copies only please) in order that PHRAA can advise or act on your behalf in the best way possible and always in your best interests.
(5)…. Any incidents of harassment, intimidation or other incidents, i.e. blocking sales, causing concern to residents committed against residents by the park owner must be logged by the residents concerned to include such details as date time etc., and a brief statement of events, also statements from any witnesses must be reported to PHRAA as soon as possible.
(6)…. Unless it is reasonable to do so, residents must refuse to deal with the park owner themselves by making it clear to him that he must conduct any future business he has with them be conducted through PHRAA.
The benefits to residents using this new service would be as follows……
(a)….. Residents will be in the comfortable position of having any of their concerns dealt with by PHRAA in a rational but firm manner without the fear of retribution from an irate park owner.
(b)…… PHRAA would advise on what was considered to be the best course of action on a particular subject, but would not attempt to dictate that this advice is followed. No course of action would be undertaken on their behalf without first consulting the residents concerned and being absolutely sure that residents are happy with any proposed action.
©….. Unlike the requirement set out in the Act regarding individual parks RA’s names and addresses of members would not be divulged to the park owner including names of liaison officers therefore avoiding the threat of retribution from unscrupulous park owners.
(d)….. All information passed to PHRAA by residents will be treated in strict confidence
PHRAA is offering you this unique opportunity to have an strong residents association on your park without fear of individual retribution as an important addition to our service dedicated to improving the WELFARE OF PARK HOME OWNERS. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please contact Ron at Head Office 01902 373462.
AS PHRAA works exclusively for park home residents, membership of PHRAA is open to all park home residents except resident park managers, wardens and residents employed in any way by Park owners.Please Note Existing Park Residents Associations can become affiliated to PHRAA if they wish.
PARK OWNER AND HIS BULLY BOYS LOCKED UP
Seven men including the park owners John and Simey Doherty were convicted of arson and blackmail on the 9th Spetember 2008 following a seven day trial at Worcester Crown Couty of carrying out a sustained campaign of terror against the elderly and vulnerable residents of the Glen Park/Mobile Home Site situated in Barnt Green, Worcestershire during which three homes were burnt down. At the time of writing they are awaiting sentence, which we are told will amount to several years each. More on PHRAA website www.phraa.co.uk.
This wonderful result was achieved following an 18 month investigation named “Operation Kingpin” carried out by West Mercia Constabulary with the co-operation of Leicestershire Police. A total of 3 homes were burnt down causing many terrified residents to sleep fully clothed in case other arson attacks followed. In total 16 sets of residents moved out of their homes due to the fear and distress caused. Many are still in temporary council accommodation, too afraid to return. Four residents were so distressed and terrified they sold their homes to the Doherty’s for £1 (the market value would have been £75,000 plus. The arson attacks accompanied by intimidation, abuse, blocking sales and harassment allowed them to terrorise residents into leaving their homes and the site losing their life savings in the process.
At the conclusion of the trial, Detective Inspector Mark Colquhoun of West Mercia Police, Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Kingpin, said: “These were despicable offences aimed at victimising some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Ruining these elderly peoples lives was the desired outcome of the Doherty’s, their tactic of choice being to terrorise the residents from their homes. All of this was done purely out of greed and a desire for money; it is difficult to concieve of a more cold- hearted and calculating crime.”
“Park home residents should feel confident in contacting their local police, should they have subjected to similar behaviour suffered by the residents of The Glen. Rogue site owners must recognise that those who break the law and subject their vulnerable residents to criminality will be investigated, caught and stand to suffer substantial penalties as a result.”
We can only hope that other Police forces throughout the UK will in future treat park home residents compliants as seriously as this. I am sure that all park homeowners currently similar suffering problems with their unscrupulous park owners will join PHRAA in offering our sincere thanks for their dedication and hard work, and congratulations to all involved at West Mercia and Leicester for setting the precedent and getting the first, and surely it wont be the last, rogue park owner sent to prison.
We must also pay a huge tribute to the bravery of the residents concerned who in spite of being terrified have nevertheless found the strenght of spirit to speak out and provide the evidence needed to help these dedicated Officers to secure this successful outcome. We can only hope that they will now be able to find peace. Our thoughts are with them. Ron.
CLOUD CUCKOO LAND??????
Bearing in mind the above article we are very disturbed about the advice to residents published in the Park Home & Holiday Caravan magazine. One of a regular series of articles, published in the August 2008 edition, this particular example entitled “The art of Negotiation” is one of a regular series headed “Residents Associations “. What causes PHRAA real concern is that the writer states that the only way to resolve disputes is by negotiation and not confrontation, indeed going on to advocate “amicable” discussion over confrontation“. Yes in an ideal world and if dealing with honest reasonable people, PHRAA agrees, this would be ideal. But for those of us park homeowners like those featured in the above article, who live in the real world any attempt at negotiation with a UPO will certainly be met with foul mouthed abuse, prolonged intimidation and worse. What good is trying to negotiate with an angry beast (UPO) when its got its teeth in your throat? The writer also claims in a previous article that UPO’s are only a small minority, but does not say that this so called minority are multiple site owners. PHRAA is also concerned that included with each of these articles are 5 top tips from PHRAA. These tips were not provided by PHRAA and published without either PHRAA’s knowledge or permission, therefore PHRAA will not be held liable for any mis-leading information contained.
PETITION NEWS.
As many of you will remember PHRAA included with our Autumn 2007 newsletter a Petition Form which, although it had a very limited distribution and short time limit, nevertheless attracted over 1100 signatures. This was presented to Lord Graham of Edmonton who passed it on to the relevant Government Minister Iain Wright MP early this year. We are sorry to inform you that as per usual with this Government Department, PHRAA has not even been afforded the courtesy of an acknowledgement of receipt. There is no doubt whatsoever in PHRAA’s mind that this Petition has been chucked into the same shredding machine as the rest of the masses of submissions, passed to the Minister by residents representatives during the last few years of consultations. It is certain, as proved by the park owner biased changes in legislation, which have left park homeowners far worse off, that the submissions from park owners and their powerful trade organisations, have not suffered the same fate. We would remind the Government that the original purpose of changing park home legislation was to improve the protection for park homeowners, not appease, increase and consolidate the already overwhelming power of the unscrupulous park owners putting them even more above the law. This Government would do well to remember that there are an estimated 250,000 park homeowners, every one of which has a vote when it comes to election time.
BECOME AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE PHRAA TEAM .
If you would like to play an active role in helping PHRAA fight for the rights of all park homeowners to a fair deal, please become a member of the PHRAA team. Job conditions, no pay,, overwork but the satifaction of helping your fellow park homeowners achieve a fair deal. For further details please contact Ron on 01902 373462. Or visit PHRAA website 
