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Warning Bulletin No 34. Flood damaged Caravans & Park Homes where do they go? |
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Written by Ron Joyce
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Wednesday, 24 October 2007 |
WARNING BULLETIN No 34.
Flood damaged Caravans & Park Homes where do they go?
Living on top of a hill we are very fortunate that it is very unlikely our park homes will be subjected to flood damage and our hearts go out to those of you whose lives have been devastastated by the loss of your park homes or holiday caravans, together with your precious personal possessions caused by the recent terrible floods.
On viewing the horrific pictures on TV and in the press one can only imagine the traumatic effect on the lives of the hundreds of you especially those elderly park home owners who have been made homeless and have lost everything.
Most owners of park homes & holiday caravans affedted will have insurance based on "NEW FOR OLD" cover so will eventually be provided with new homes should their homes be damaged beyond repair and written off. But what happens of the flood damaged homes once the Insurance Company has written them off and they have been removed from the site?
It appears from the investigations PHRAA has carried out on this matter that the insurance companies sell off the condemnd homes to various companies for scrap value and no doubt many are then broken up. A few of the least damaged ones may be completely refurbished by reputable companies and sold on as such. But what of the remainder that are purchased by less scrupulous people? PHRAA has witnessed both following this latest bout of flooding and the one that occurred several years ago a large number of these units, all marked with a large cross on the exterior denoting that they have been condemnd, being brought onto land siuated largely out of sight of the general public, where the furniture is being left outside to dry out and the doors and windows left open to aid the drying out of the interior, which is then superficially cleaned, painted and decorated by the unscrupulous peoples family and children.
Whilst the superficial cleaning, painting and decorating work may camoflage the fact that the home or caravan has suffered water damage, it also camoflages the hidden damage which may have been caused to floors, electricity wiring and fittings, gas installlations such as cookers, fires, boilers etc. Then there is the risk of damage to the main structure, the chassis others fixtures and fittings which may not be evident for several years. But by far the worst risk to the innocent buyer of these homes is the risk to their health. As we all know, when flooding occurs it is highly likely that the flood water is contaminated with raw sewage, mud and possible other nasty chemicals injurious to health all of which will have soaked into the layers of insulation built into the walls floors and roofs and which superficial cleaning cannot remove. Also contaminated will be the soft furnishings such as carpets, settees, chairs, cushions etc. This is evidenced by the rancid smell emanating from the homes during the drying out process.
It is obvious that once these homes have been "tarted up" they will be sited and sold on to unsusoecting buyers for large sums of money. Apart from the potential health risk to future occupants, from the contamination trapped within the fabric of the home, it is highley likely that other hidden problems may appear, such as the chipboard floor collapsing, which can be seriously weakend, due to its having being soaked with water, corrosion of the metal chassis, rotting of the actuasl structure of the home, etc etc. Who will be responsible for the very expensive repairs when problems occur? Certainly not the park owner or the one who sold the home as he will be long gone. The insurance company? Doubtful as it would be obvious to the assessor that the home had already been condemnd once ans should have been scrapped or completely gutted with all contaminated material removed entirely and refurbished properly.
Unfortnately, PHRAA's investiogations reveal that the insurance companies appear to not keep records of condemnd units and do not check on what happens to them once they have been removed from the siite. Therefore there is nothing to stop these units being sold again in the manner decribed above. PHRAA also raised the question of whether they would insure such homes following their sale and where told that as the company would have no way of knowing that they had been previously written off they would insure them again. PHRAA would suggest that if the companies kept a record of the serial numbers of condemnd units this would safeguard not only their own interest but those of the innocent buyers.
PHRAA would strongly advise any prospective buyers of park or holiday caravan homes, if they have any reason to be suspicious, that before they buy, carefully check the home paying particular attention to the inside of cupboards, under carpets, any recessed corners, nooks and crannies, for tell tale signs of water stains etc, including a thorough examination of the underside of the home. Also note the make, model and serial number located on the identification plate, which is usually dispayed on the outside of the home and check with the manufacturer. A little time spent on carrying out a thorough inspection before you buy, may save you heartache and expense later.
Compiled for PHRAA by Ron Joyce General Secertary. September 2007.
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