Consultation on Mobile Homes (Wales) Bill underway

A consultation has opened for people to offer opinions on the forthcoming Mobile Homes (Wales) Bill.

The Bill, which is being brought by Member for South Wales West Peter Black AM, is designed to strengthen the rights of the owners of mobile homes on sites in Wales.

It is proposed that the Bill will introduce a licensing requirement for site owners and a requirement for all site owners to pass a ‘fit and proper persons’ test through the licensing procedure

“The vast majority of sites in Wales are well run and within the law but that isn’t the case for all,” said Peter Black AM.

“Consumer Focus Wales has discovered that almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of mobile home residents in Wales who were interviewed have experienced problems on their site in the last five years with almost a third (29 per cent) experiencing problems with site maintenance, security or safety standards.

“So it is important that there are protections in place for mobile homes owners to be able to live in, sell or pass on their homes in confidence and that is the intention with this Bill.

“I would urge anyone, whether you are a mobile home owner, site owner or someone who has an interest in this area to contribute to this consultation and help to shape a new law for Wales.”

The closing date for the public consultation is 20 July 2012 and the Bill will be formally introduced to the National Assembly for Wales in October this year.

From there, the Bill will pass through the Assembly’s legislative process before AMs decide whether it can become an Act, or law.

Anyone wishing to contribute evidence as part of the consultation can either email: legislationoffice@wales.gov.uk or write to: Legislation Office, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF99 1NA.

Proposed Mobile Homes (Wales) Bill