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IS THIS THE END OF THE PARK HOMES LIFE STYLE AS WE KNOW IT??????
ONCE KNOWN AS CARAVANS, THEN MOBILE HOMES, WHICH THEN BECAME PARK HOMES, BUT FROM JULY 2011, THEY ARE, COURTESY OF ‘THE SUN’ AND THE BH&HPA, TO BE KNOWN AS
“TRAILER HOMES”. ?????????
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“TRAILER PARK UK”
A DETAILED RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE ARTICLE
by Tim Spanton PUBLISHED IN “THE SUN” NEWSPAPER 22nd July 2011 Compiled by Ron Joyce General Secretary of the PARK HOME RESIDENTS ACTION ALLIANCE. (PHRAA)
For the convenience of those reading and / or downloading this response, especially those who may have not seen the original SUN article, I have numbered and faithfully reproduced the paragraphs (statements) in the order they originally appear, with the PHRAA response immediately below.
(1)….Sun States “Trailer parks have traditionally been seen as home to the dirt-poor living on the poverty line in rundown American suburbs.”
PHRAA says……
This is the first outrageous statement contained within this totally ill-informed and downright misleading portrayal of Residential Park/Mobile Homes Caravan Holiday and Chalet Homes which has either been complied by someone who has not got a clue what he is talking about regarding the subject, or has been completely and utterly misled by the named representative of this discredited industry who it would appear has supplied the bulk of the information contained throughout. . I strongly suspect that the latter is the case here!!!! Deliberately misled perhaps?
PHRAA for several years now, has links and shares information with fellow mobile homeowners in America who would be absolutely disgusted to learn that they are according to the SUN newspaper “seen as home to the dirt poor living on the poverty line in run down American suburbs”. This may have been true many years ago, when times in America were very hard, I doubt very much if it applies so much today. Whilst as in the UK some may have opted to be living in mobile homes because they have fallen on hard times, it is I am sure, safe to say that the majority, as in America, have chosen this way of life voluntarily. It is also worth pointing out to readers that according the information we have, many Park/Mobile Home owners in America suffer similar exploitation etc., at the hands of Unscrupulous Park Owners, as we in the UK. I can assure you that the friends and colleagues we are in contact with at COMO CAL certainly do not conform to the description you have printed. Incidentally American Mobile Homes are know as “MANUFACTURED HOMES” these days.
(2)……Sun States….. “ In the UK, as families struggle with the recession, they are fast emerging as a cheap and cheerful alternative to bricks and mortar.”
PRHAA says……
CHEAP AND CHEERFUL ALTERNATIVE TO BRICKS AND MORTAR?????? An alternative to bricks and mortar the residential quality built park/mobile homes etc., certainly are, or rather could be, CHEAP? for those falling on hard times who are either renting or buying, they certainly are not. It is a certain fact that any one who is able to buy a RESIDENTIAL Park/Mobile Home/ Chalet in 2011 which was fit for occupation, for the prices quoted later in this article, by the so called expert, would be the exception rather than the rule. Whether it would prove to be a CHEERFUL existence would depend entirely upon the character of the Park Owner. If he proves to conform to the norm and Unscrupulous, then you can guarantee that it will be anything but a CHEAP and CHEERFUL experience.
(3)…… Sun States……“
More than 200,000 Britons - among them the parents of Chelsea Star John Terry - now call static caravans home.”………….(Cont. in 4 below)
PHRAA says……
Who on earth supplied these figures claiming that over “200,000 Britons ( Britons ??? What about the Welsh, Scots and other nationalities? ) “now call static caravans home”??? I suspect that these figures were supplied by the same “Trailer Expert” spokesperson for the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA one of the industry’s all powerful Trade Associations who appears to been consulted throughout the research conducted for the compilation of this article.
Which way the reader is meant to take this figure is, like much of this missive, is totally mis-leading for example……..
(a)…. If it is meant to state that 200,000 live permanently in static caravans one can only take this to mean that it is officially admitted by the BH&HPA, who claim to strictly regulate the industry and the code of conduct of their park owner members, that 200,000 are illegally occupying a static holiday caravan/chalet as their only and main residence. Which if so, they (homeowners) are not only breaking the law, but almost certain to be evicted when the Local Authority find out. More worrying however it also means that are entirely at the mercy of the park owner, who although he has condoned and almost certainly, and in many cases fraudulently encouraged, the breaking of this law by the often unaware homeowner, can ultimately cause them to become homeless. HOMEOWNERS Beware in such circumstances it will be the resident/homeowner who will be penalised and lose his home and the savings tied up in the value of their home, NOT THE PARK OWNER. Remember no person can OCCUPY A HOME AS HIS PERMANENT RESIDENCE ON A HOLIDAY ONLY LICENSED PARK WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PARK OWNER CONCERNED.
(b)…… To PHRAA’s knowledge for well over 10 years the most often quoted figure for the number of residential park/mobile homeowners as been stated to be over 250,000. It is also worth mentioning that the BH&HPA and very often the Government, often state that 125,000 is the official figure. It seems that the figures are either deliberately mis-represented or nobody in authority or representing the industry has a clue as to what the real figure is. What does that say about those supposed to be regulating this industry.???? Whatever figures suit their purpose at that particular time or event are the figures used. Accuracy of facts are, as is usual with this industry, not a priority.
(c )…. Perhaps we are meant to use both sets of figures, the legal added to the illegal. Who knows?????
(4)……. Sun states….. “
And experts reckon the numbers are rising every year as more people see trailers as a high value, low - cost route onto the property ladder.”
PHRAA says…..
Who are these so called “experts” and on what information are they basing their claims upon?? I am sure that like PHRAA there are thousands of disillusioned long suffering, or perhaps I should say RIPPED OFF, park/mobile home, caravan and chalet owners would dearly love to know how these so - called experts can possibly claim that this type of home can be stated to be a “High value, low cost route onto the property ladder”.
(a)…..
High Value….. The only time that these homes could be said to be “high value” is when the home is being sold usually, but not always, supposedly new by the park owner. This also will apply when the park owner is selling a pre-owned home he has “acquired” by one method or another, from its previous owner. In both cases the price asked will be high. You can bet on that.
(b)…. “Low cost” who are they kidding as explained in (a) above …………….. and (c )….. “route on to the property ladder” .. Buying a park/mobile home is the most certain way of ensuring that you will never again be in a position financially to enter the property ladder……...
One fact that is absolutely certain is that once you have sold your bricks and mortar and “invested” either all or the majority of the proceeds in buying a park/mobile home, that unless you have loads of money left, you will are very unlikely to be in a position to re- enter the property ladder for any or all of the following reasons….
(i ) …By a clause contained within the Implied Terms of the law, (Mobile Homes Act 1983/2006) the homeowner is obliged to give the park owner 10% of the sale price as a so-called commission payment. This means say the buyer has paid £150,000 for the home, the 10% mandatory payment would equate to £15,000 , tax free payment straight into the pocket of the park owner for doing absolutely nothing, which would mean that the homeowner can no longer raise enough from the sale to be able to buy br4icks and mortar. Remember that this applies even if you sell the home immediately after you have paid for it. And I mean immediately !!!!!
(ii)…. The Mobile Homes Act also contains clauses governing the strict procedure to be followed when na homeowner wishes to sell. Unfortunately there are so many loopholes within this wide open to abuse, unenforceable, legislation empowering the unscrupulous park owner to effective block every sale attempt. This usually results in the helpless homeowner either having to stay put or capitulate and sell to the park owner for a pittance. (For more information on this disgraceful ‘rip off ‘racket see elsewhere on this website) No chance of returning to the property ladder there eh !!!!!
(iii)…..Last, but not least is the crucial factor that residential park/mobile homes, chalet’s, or as they are referred to in this article, “trailer homes”, by legal definition are not classed as property, but GOODS, therefore fall outside the law , especially the legal protection that applies and is enjoyed by those who occupy most other forms of housing. Being mainly built of wood and constructed on a metal chassis complete with wheels, they have to legally conform to the legal definition of a CARAVAN. Remember as emphasised earlier, this means they are officially classed as CHATEL, therefore GOODS and are purchased in exactly the same way as a car, TV or a can of baked beans. (See legal definition of a caravan elsewhere on this website)
PHRAA challenges the author of this SUN article and Mr. Jon Boston or any other spokesperson from the BH&HP and the evidence claimed to have been provided by anonymous ‘EXPERTS’ to supply and publish this so called evidence on which they based their bland statement above.
/(5) …Sun States…. “There are now more than 1,000 residential parks nationwide - many so popular they have long waiting lists”.
PHRAA says….
Again I have to ask where on earth has the author obtained the information he has based this statement on? I have in front of me as I write a copy of the Residential parks Guide 2011 published by the Park Home & Holiday Caravan magazine which lists over 2,000 residential park sites. Another ill-informed gaff issued by these same anonymous “EXPERTS”?? Probably the same so- called experts who state that many parks are “so popular they have long waiting lists” Unfortunately the author does not make clear as to whether this observation refers to those waiting to get on to these parks or, as in many cases nowadays, those desperately trying to get off????? Perhaps he should ask his anonymous ’experts’ to clarify this point.
(6)….. SUN STATES…… “They can provide modern, comfortable accommodation - and a sense of real community - at a fraction of the price of traditional homes”.
PHRAA says…….(a)…
Yes, if you are lucky enough to find yourself on a park owned by a good and caring park owner or the park you currently live on does not end up sold to an unscrupulous owner, usually without the residents knowledge until its too late. If this happens you will soon find that the “sense of real community” is replaced by a community where neighbours spy upon neighbours and fear rules the park. Unfortunately this is something that does not become apparent to any new buyers until its too late. (b)……..”at a fraction of the price of traditional homes”…. (see below)
(7)…… “Trailer Expert JON BOSTON, a consultant for the BRITISH HOLIDAY & HOME PARKS ASSOCIATION (BH&HPA) said, “Residential parks have the atmosphere of a little village back in the 1950‘s where everyone knows everyone and you can leave your door unlocked
.”
PHRAA says……(a) I
am absolutely dumbfounded that Mr. Boston speaking on behalf of the BH&HPA is happy to be given the new job title of TRAILER EXPERT whatever that is supposed to be. Even more surprising when you know that the BH&HPA claim to be THE REGULATORY BODY FOR THE PARK & HOLIDAY HOME INDUSTRY and are the first to be consulted by Government on any proposals for possible new legislation in order that they (BH&HPA) have time to bring in counter measures in order to ensure that any new park home law is administered with the “LIGHTEST POSSIBLE TOUCH” and “DOES NOT BECOME A “BURDEN” TO THEIR (park owners) MEMBERS. To put it a more bluntly, the BH&HPA makes damn sure through their constant lobbying of Government that no laws are brought in that are of direct benefit to park/mobile home or holiday caravan owners, or contain a massive number of loopholes designed to be easily manipulated by their “CLEVER” legal teams, to the detriment of the homeowners.
(b)….. With reference to Mr. Boston’s statement that “Residential parks have the atmosphere of a little village back in the 1950’s…….” So this is the era where he got the ludicrous prices of park/mobile homes he quotes later in this article from.????? Silly me ! I should have known. (See later) I notice that Mr. Boston neglected to mention that the ruthlessly enforced draconian rules and regulations imposed on the residents by the park owners originate even further back than the 1950’s. More like the 1650’s.
©….“
…… where everyone knows everyone…..” Until the unscrupulous park owner decides to operate his divide and rule tactics in order to ensure his rules are obeyed
(d)…..“……
and you can leave your door unlocked”. This is make it easy for the unscrupulous park owner to walk into your home any time he feels like it.
(8)…..SUN STATES….. “
Most have beautiful surroundings in prime area’s with a worry free living environment. Prices. Whether buying or renting, are so much lower than in traditional housing”.
PHRAA says…. (a)….. “
Beautiful surroundings in prime area’s there may be”, but where an unscrupulous park owner is involved, as all too many devastated, disillusioned residents will know, it will be anything but “ a worry- free living environment”.
(b)…..
Prices. Will deal with this altogether later in this PHRAA response. In the meantime PHRAA CHALLENGES MR. BOSTON and the BH&HPA TO PROVIDE THE PROOF OF HIS CLAIM that prices are lower than traditional housing. It is deliberately mis-leading to attempt to compare the prices of bricks and mortar to park/Mobile homes as it is not comparing like for like for reasons outlined elsewhere throughout this article. BH&HPA Jon’s claim becomes even more ludicrous when he, by his own statements is comparing the price of a ’TRAILER’ to bricks and mortar.
(9)….. SUN STATES…… “Often a park home costing say, £50,000 will have similar housing outside the gate for four or five times as much.”
PHRAA says….. (a)….
What planet is Mr. Boston and the BH&HPA on? How many park homes does he know of that are selling for £50,000? He is either quoting prices from many years ago or he is deliberately mis-leading readers of the Sun and others into believing that this is the price of today. It is not for PHRAA to say which.
(b)….. To compare the price of park homes with what he claims is similar housing outside the park is completely out of order and obviously meant to mislead the unwary prospective buyer. As explained earlier, residential park/mobile homes are not housing but chattel and governed by strict legislation regarding their construction. Perhaps the easiest way to describe them is a ‘SHED ON WHEELS’ as many do. The other major difference is that you buy the home, but the land it stands on is owned by the park owner, whereas when you purchase a conventional house you usually buy the land it sits on also. You also own the deeds to a house, you own. All you get with a park home is a worthless piece of paper known as the Agreement, (if you are lucky) which as mentioned earlier, is so riddled with loopholes it is not worth the paper it is written on.
(10)….. SUN STATES……”Park homes are virtually maintenance free - no worrying about gutters, for example - and almost invariably fall into the lowest band for Council Tax”
PHRAA says……(a)….If proof were needed that Mr. Boston has not got a clue what he is talking about, this is it. He claims Park/mobile homes are maintenance free. Perhaps he would then like to explain why the manufacturers advise regular repainting of the outside with very expensive specialist plastic coating and that many park owners, including BH&HPA members have included in the park rules or Express Terms of the Agreement, the clause demanding that you repaint YOUR HOME every couple of years. Failure to comply will result in the homeowner being in breach of the Agreement which could result in the park owner seeking an eviction order.
(b)….. He also claims that you don’t have Gutters to worry about. Brilliant. Is he saying that park/mobile homes, caravans, chalet’s even TRAILERS don’t have gutters. Perhaps he would be good enough to explain where the water goes when it rains??? Runs down the walls perhaps???? Hopefully on the outside.
©….. On reading any of the park home magazines, one cannot help but notice how many advertisements and maintenance advice features are appearing lately screaming at homeowners that it is absolute crucial to the condition of their home that they engage one of the ever growing number of company’s specialising in chassis inspection and repair when the home reaches ten years of age in order to prevent their park home falling to pieces . Surely these two examples make a mockery of Mr. Boston’s claim that they are virtually maintenance free.
(d)….. Yes it is true that most, but not all, residential park /mobile homes fall into Band A for Council Tax. But it should also be taken into account that not only are park /home owners, unlike Council Tax payers outside of park home sites, extremely unlikely to get any assistance from their Local Council, they also pay twice for the same services. Once to the Council through Tax and again to the park owner. It must be said that the most common complaint regarding Council Tax from park/mobile homeowners is that “All we get for our money is our bins emptied”. I rest my case.
(11)….. Sun States……” Trailer homes typically start at around £20,000 with most falling into the £30,000 to £80,000 range.
PHRAA says…(a)…..Once again PHRAA asks where and in what condition are these Park/Mobile homes for the prices claimed and who supplied this totally mis-leading information.
(b)…. In reality as BH&HPA Jon knows very well, in most cases any home on a park valued at £20,000 would have been booted off the park years ago by the park owner and replaced with a brand new one netting the park owner in excess of £100,000 profit.
(12)….. SUN STATES…..
An equivalent traditional house just 100 yards away might cost as much as £400,000 depending on the region.
PHRAA says…..
If the Sun, or whoever is supplying them with this ludicrous information, expect a normal, sane prospective residential park/mobile home purchaser to believe for on minute that they can purchase a residential park/mobile home for £20,000 to £30,000 in the same region, one hundred yards from conventional housing valued at £400,000, they must live in ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land ‘ What they have failed to mention is that there are many residential park home, and Holiday lodge developments where prices of £250,000 to £300,000 are commonplace. These prices, unlike the £400,000 conventional home prices DO NOT INCLUDE THE LAND THE HOME SITS ON. £300,000 to buy plus extortionate ground rent (Pitch Fee) rising every year payable annually for however long the park owner permits occupation, plus a fee of 10% at least of the sale price if you wish to sell, payable to the park owner. What’s cheap about this?
(13)….. SUN STATES…..
Demand has risen so much in these tough economic times that growing numbers of parks have had to close their waiting lists to new families.
PHRAA says….
If this claim is true how is it that there are literally hundreds of unsold brand new park/mobile homes standing empty, some for many years, having never been occupied, despite many substantial price reductions and special offers offered by park owners in an attempt to attract buyers. Add to this the hundreds of second hand homes of all ages and prices offered for sale privately and by park owners and a very different picture emerges. If proof were needed one need look no further that the latest edition of the industry produced national magazine “PARK HOME LIFESTYLE” which contains a feature by SEEKERS ESTATE AGENTS, specialist park/mobile home sellers containing in their own words “Hundreds of Homes For Sale”. Contradicting evidence,?? so who are we supposed to believe?
(14)….. SUN STATES….. “Queues aren’t helped by strict planning laws that stop people living year round in some parks at the holiday end of the market.”
PHRAA says….
Since when have these so called “strict Planning laws” stopped people living in holiday caravans/ chalet’s, (sorry I should have said “Trailers“) permanently.? In PHRAA’s experience, and I know Mr. Boston and the BH&HPA will be very well aware, a growing number of people have been illegally using this type of home as their permanent residence for probably as long as holiday parks have existed. Well if its illegal how is it allowed to continue, and, dare I say it, appear to prosper? There are several answers……
(a)….. Although it is always the homeowner who takes the blame and loses out big time when authority cracks down and legal action for eviction are threatened. It is the resident who faces losing both his home and his life savings tied up in that home, not the park owner. The only penalty the park owner may face is a small fine, but usually he gets away scott free.
(b)…. Many residents illegally living full time in holiday only licensed parks are totally unaware that they are doing anything wrong as the park owner has deliberately mis-led them as to the true status of his park.
©…. The park owner will have deliberately encouraged them to buy by assuring them there is nothing to worry about….
(d)….. He has applied for a change of licence to fully residential and it will be granted…
(e)…. Many Councils appear to condone or turn a blind eye to this illegal activity by charging the resident COUNCIL TAX.
(f)….. Etc., Etc, the list is endless but always remember NO HOMEOWNER CAN USE HIS HOLIDAY CARAVAN< CHALET, TRAILER HOME AS HIS PERMANT HOME WITHOUT THE FULL CO-OPERATION AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE PARK OWNER CONCERNED.
(15)….. SUN STATES…… (a)… “British trailer families fall into two main groups“.
(b)…. “The biggest increase in demand is among couples with young children who see a trailer home as a way of getting on to the property ladder.”
PHRAA says….. As outlined in section (4) above, buying a park/mobile/ trailer home is the last thing you should do to get on the property ladder.
( c )….. “They will typically buy or rent in an area that would be out of their league price- wise for traditional housing.”
PHRAA says….. ( i )…. Where are all these parks willing to rent out homes to young families.? You could probable count on the fingers of your hands the number of parks that allow young families to buy at present, let alone rent. And (ii)….How many of these young families are in the position to afford to rent a so -called trailer home at £900 per month as stated is paid by the Thompson Family who have rented a “large two bed roomed trailer home at Warfield Park, near Bracknell, “ as stated later in the same article. ????
(iii)…. Is it a sign of the times that some of these park owners and the BH&HPA are becoming so desperate, due to the fall in demand for their overpriced sheds on wheels, that they are now set to ‘EXPLOIT’ (in all meanings of the word) the rental market and those who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own.? It is not an uncommon practice for Unscrupulous park owners to charge at least £100 per month rent for a home that they have acquired by ’dubious and well practised methods’ having forced out the previous very elderly and frail owner by declaring their cherished home as not fit to live in. (see also 16 below)
(16)…… SUN STATES…… “But by far the biggest group is people whose kids have grown up and have left home. They no longer need a big house and might be facing reduced incomes due to redundancy or early retirement - or want to leave a nest egg to their children.
PHRAA says…. Due to the longstanding disgusting and often fraudulent well publicised (by PHRAA anyway) practice of most unscrupulous park owners actively, using the power bestowed upon them by the, (in PHRAA’s view) discredited and unenforceable Mobile Homes Act 1983/2006 , blocking the homeowners right to sell which renders the value of the home to zero or near, buying a park/mobile, trailer home is sure to deprive any children of a “nest egg of any substance. What is guaranteed however is the fact that they will inherit a load of heartbreaking problems when they come to attempt to realise their inheritance by selling their parents home. (for further details see elsewhere on this website.)
(17)……. SUN STATES…… (a)… “ So instead of downsizing to a smaller house or flat, they go trailer.”
PHRAA says….. So there you have it. I am sure that every person who has just spent his £100,000 to £300 ,000 on what he has been led to believe is a top of the range luxury Residential Park Home, will now be absolutely delighted to learn that, according to the SUN and the BH&HPA what he has actually purchased is a TRAILER HOME.
(b)…… “ “Basically they cash in their bricks and mortar chips, “ BH&HPA Jon said”
PHRAA says…. Yes but surely cashing in your chips suggests that you have taken a gamble. Is it really wise to gamble the hard earned equity that you built up over many years in your bricks and mortar? As with all gambles you may lose. When you gamble on buying a park home you gamble not only your hard earned financial assets, but your future health, happiness, even your life. Is it really worth that risk.? BE VERY SURE THAT THE RESIDENTIALPARK HOME LIFESTYLE IS FOR YOU BEFORE YOU TAKE THAT GAMBLE. ALLWAYS BARE IN MIND AS WITH ANY GAMBLE YOU MUST CONSIDER THE ODDS OF SUCCESS. WHEN GAMBLING YOUR HARD EARNED CASH ON BUYING A RESIDENTIAL PARK /MOBILE HOME THE ODDS ARE STAKED AGAINST YOU. REMEMBER IT’S TOO LATE WHEN YOU’VE PAID YOUR MONEY.
( c )….. BH&HPA Jon continues….“ “ This leaves them thousands of pounds in the black with the means to enjoy a comfortable and secure living as they grow older.” “
PHRAA says…. Yes it may leave them with thousands of pounds initially, but how long will this large sum last when most of it will be needed to meet the ever increasing charges ( pitch fees, services etc., contributions towards keeping the park owners luxury Merc., and mansion going, imposed at will, very often without documentary evidence to show that these charges are accurate or wildly inflated ? How long will it last then??? It would be very wise to put some of those spare thousands of pounds aside in case you are forced to either take or defend court action in order to try and “enjoy a comfortable and secure living as they grow older”. As promised by BH&HPA Jon above.
(18)…… Sun States…… “Demand is so high that an estimated 95% of trailer parks have imposed a minimum age of 50 or 55 to keep a serene atmosphere.”
PHRAA says…. What a load of B*** S*** . The minimum age limit on parks has existed for many many years as a selling ploy to attract, or perhaps I should say “lure”, the vulnerable retired and semi-retired. Unfortunately however as many elderly residents have found out to their cost, the age limit rule, as with the ’NO PETS, or any other park rules, does not apply to the park owners, park managers or members of their favoured friends or family. As I have already said earlier the only reason that younger families are being encouraged into park/mobile/ trailer homes is because the park owners are getting stuck with empty plots or homes they cannot sell.
If as they claim 95% of parks are for the over 50’s etc., where are the remaining 5% supposedly dedicated to families? Waiting for the crowds of young families with £900 spare per month to rent a trailer perhaps? Or maybe these particular park owners and the BH&HPA are banking on the sure fact that Social services will oblige?
(19)….SUN STATES…… “Most trailers look like traditional bungalows and have their own gardens and often a parking area.”
PHRAA says…. (a)….They may have been made to look like traditional bungalows but that is where the likeness ends as I am sure the reader will have learned by now from PHRAA’s response to this article. But if you wish to learn more then please visit the rest of the PHRAA website, where the information is comprehensive, honest, “warts an all” and free to view and download.
(b)….. There is usually an area measuring approx 3 metres wide surrounding the home which can qualify as a garden. But unfortunately the homeowner does not own the land his home stands on, therefore needs the park owners permission if he wishes to plant as much as a solitary daffodil, in fact we know of one very large park owning company who actually supplies special forms to residents which have to be completed, complete with scale plans and submitted for approval to head office, before any such planting or work can take place. Add to this the fact that the park owner has the right, and often does, without warning descend upon your plot with his JCB and completely trash all your hard work.
If challenged he will utter the age old cry of all Unscrupulous Park Owners “ITS MY LAND AND I WILL DO WHAT I LIKE”.
( c)…. If there is a parking area located next to your home, remember it will be included in the 3 metre separation distance so don’t bother buying a big lawn mower.
(20)….. Sun States….. The 1983 Mobile Homes Act gives buyers roughly the same protection as owners of Leasehold Flats.
PHRAA says….. I am not a lawyer but I would suggest that this statement is so misleading to buyers and homeowners alike, that it borders on being criminally misleading and if this information came from BH&HPA Jon, we would respectfully suggest that he issues an immediate public retraction.
Without going into the legalities of this situation I should point out to the readers who may be prospective buyers of park/mobile/trailer homes, that the owners of Leasehold Flats occupy their homes under a properly drawn up legal Leasehold Agreement. Park/mobile/ trailer home owners occupy their homes under a Licence Agreement. I would suggest if anyone wishes to check up on this themselves, they contact a solicitor or the CAB.
(21)….. SUN STATES…… “ They even have celebrity fans with TV conservationist David Bellamy, recently saying he was “ absolutely amazed” at how some parks help wildlife by setting up bird boxes, ponds and protected habitats.
PHRAA says….. Well he would say that wouldn’t he? David Bellamy just happens to be, or he was last time I checked, PRESIDENT OF THE BH&HPA, therefore a colleague of Mr. Jon Boston (BH&HPA Jon) Unfortunately for the wildlife on many parks such as the ones our park owner owns, I would be “absolutely amazed” if I found a tree remaining big enough to put a bird box on, let alone a space left big enough to accommodate even a tiny water feature or a protected habitat. Every available inch is occupier by park/mobile/trailer homes spaced at the minimum 6 metres (20 feet) apart. No room left for such frivolities as wildlife no profit to be made out of Robins and Squirrels.
Perhaps whilst enthusiastically extolling the virtues of this type of lifestyle, Mr. Jon Boston, (BH&HPA Jon) , Mr. David Bellamy, Mrs. Ros Pritchard, Director General BH&HPA, and all the other so -called experts who forever wax lyrical about the perceived wonderful park lifestyle, but know absolutely nothing about the realities , would explain that if it is as wonderful as they make out, WHY THEY DON’T LIVE IN THEM???? Perhaps they could also explain why, most park owners live in huge mansions, protected by high walls, iron railings, flood lights, Ferocious Guard Dogs, alarms and CCTV covering every inch of their property??? No doubt they wouldn’t be seen dead in a residential park/mobile home.??? (Oh sorry, I should have said trailer home)
So there you have it. I am sure that like me, all park/mobile owners will be absolutely thrilled by our new status. No longer must we endure the stigma of being known as Residential Park/Mobile Home, Holiday, Static, Caravan or Chalet owners. We must all now celebrate our new enhanced status graciously bestowed upon us by the SUN and BH&HPA Jon, that of TRAILER ********* I will leave you to add your own interpretation on that.
Finally…. PHRAA is sure that the members of the BH&HPA and NPHC also known as NCC and all other park owners good and bad will be over the moon with both the “SUN” and BH&HPA Jon. Between them, as a result of this article, they have set the image of the park home industry, that they (BH&HPA) work so hard to promote, back 50 years. All too many Park /Mobile homeowners have already realised that, because they have chosen this way of life, they are treated, by those in authority, including Local Authorities and in many cases the Police, as SECOND CLASS CITIZENS living in what many describe as PRISON CAMPS FOR PENSIONERS.
WAS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO RUB SALT INTO THE WOUNDS Mr. BOSTON????
Footnote….. Just a final thought that n view of the pronouncement of this radical name change from Park /Mobile Homes, Holiday Caravans and Chalet’s to TRAILER by the “SUN” newspaper fully supported by “Trailer Expert” Mr. Jon Boston representing the British Home & Holiday Parks Association (BH&HPA) who, in their own words claim to be “the only association working exclusively for park owners “, surely it will now be necessary for them to change their name also to reflect the change. ??? With this in mind PHRAA respectfully suggests that they now become, with immediate effect, known as the BRITISH HOME & HOLIDAY TRAILER PARKS ASSOCIATION (BH&HTA)
Compiled for the PHRAA website by Ron Joyce, General Secretary PHRAA
JULY 2011
The Park Home Residents Action Alliance (PHRAA) The only National Park Home Residents Association, with the guts to
“TELL IT AS IT IS”.
PHRAA working exclusively for the rights of all park/home owners to a legally enforceable law to end the rampant exploitation raging uncontrolled throughout the park home industry. WHERE ARE OUR HUMAN RIGHTS????
No doubt when this article is published on the PHRAA website PHRAA will become even more unpopular with the parks industry and the Government. DCLG. One thing PHRAA has learned in the past 10 years is that telling the truth and exposing the burgening rogue element, which is like a festering cancer raging unchecked throughout this industry, makes us very unpopular. But in spite of their efforts they ain’t shut us up yet. Nor will they. SUPPORT PHRAA and PHRAA WILL SUPPORT YOU. Ron.
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