§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the report of the Mobile Homes Review; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe report has been completed and its recommendations have been accepted by the Government. It is planned to publish it during August. The report of the associated research carried out by the Building Research Establishment will be issued at the same time.
The review has concentrated on two issues: the contribution which mobile homes could make in meeting housing needs; and the adequacy of existing legislation in protecting mobile home occupiers on sites. On the first question, the report concludes that, although mobile homes do not in general provide as good value for money as conventionally built houses, they have particular attractions for small households, especially the retired, and provide an extra choice in 620W housing which it is important to preserve. The Department will be drawing this conclusion to the attention of local authorities.
On the question of protection for residents, the Government believes that although conditions on the majority of sites are not currently giving cause for concern, the Mobile Homes Act, which was intended to provide an equitable framework for establishing secure contracts between site owner and resident. has not proved to be very effective in controlling abuses. Mobile home residents thus have less statutory protection than almost any other type of occupier The report sets out a possible basis on which to work towards the preparation of new legislation to provide all residents with adequate statutory protection. This would include the imposition of implied terms in contracts relating to such matters as resale of the home on site, pitch fees and lump sum payments; extensions of security of tenure for residents; and consideration of the question of using arbiters to deal in the first instance with disputes about charges of various kinds.
Full consultation will take place before legislation is prepared.