National Assembly Committee agrees general principles of Regulated Mobile Home Sites (Wales) Bill

21 February 2013

A National Assembly for Wales Committee has supported the general principles of a Bill to modernise the legal framework for the regulation and operation of mobile home sites in Wales.

The Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee concluded in its report, published today, that there is a need for the Regulated Mobile Homes Sites (Wales) Bill to update the current mobile home site licensing regime and address the issues encountered on some mobile home sites in Wales.

The Committee also welcomed the inclusion in the Bill of a “fit and proper person” test for site owners and managers.

The Committee supported the removal of site owners’ right to “veto” the sale of mobile homes, but recommended that the Bill should also include protections for mobile home buyers, site owners and other site residents.

But the Committee was also concerned about the amount of subordinate legislation which would be required by the Bill and recommended that more detail be included in the Bill itself.

“While there are, undoubtedly, mobile home sites which are well run, well managed, and on which mobile home owners and site owners enjoy good working relationships, unfortunately there are also sites on which residents suffer harassment, intimidation and financial mismanagement, making their lives miserable,” said Ann Jones AM, Chair of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee.

“As a Committee we have agreed that there is a need for legislation to update the current licensing regime, raise standards on mobile home sites, and improve the quality of life for the owners of mobile homes.

“We would, however, like to see more detail in the Bill to avoid the necessity of so much subordinate legislation and we believe that, in some areas, the Bill could go further in protecting the rights of both mobile home residents and site owners.”

The Bill is the first non-government Member Bill to come before the Fourth Assembly and has been proposed by Peter Black AM.

The Assembly will debate the general principles of the Bill in Plenary on 6 March. Assembly Members will vote on whether the Bill should progress to Stage Two of the National Assembly’s legislative process, during which Stage the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee will examine the Bill and any amendments put forward by Assembly Members in further detail.

Media wishing arrange an interview with the Chair of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee, Ann Jones AM, should contact National Assembly Media Relations on 029 2089 8215.

Link to more information about the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee

Link to more information about the Regulated Mobile Home Sites (Wales) Bill

Link to more information about the National Assembly’s legislative process