Site owners and occupiers obligations
People who live permanently in caravans or mobile homes and the site owners have rights and responsibilities.
Residential caravan sites
By law, the owner of a protected caravan site must give a resident occupier a written statement:
- within 28 days from the date they agreed the sale of the caravan to the proposed occupier
or
- on the date the residential agreement is made
They should both sign the statement. They can agree a shorter period.
The occupier must give 28 days' notice if they want to end the agreement.
Site fees
The site owner may review site fees every year. They must tell the occupier in writing at least 28 days before the annual review date.
If the occupier agrees to the new fees, they will become payable from the review date. If the occupier doesn't agree, the site owner can apply to the County Court for a decision, 28 days after the review date.
The occupier will not in arrears until 28 days after new fees are agreed or 28 days after the court hearing to set new fees.
Site owner's right of entry to the caravan site
The site owner may enter the site without any notice between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm:
- to do essential repairs
- to deliver mail
- to read gas, electricity and water meters
They may also enter at any other time to carry out emergency or essential works, giving as much notice as possible.
Outside these, the site owner must give 14 days' written notice.
If you would like more detail about the requirements for setting up and running a caravan site there is information available on the nibusinessinfo website:
Protection of occupiers from eviction and harassment
It is a criminal offence for anyone to make an occupier leave a caravan without a court order, such as making them leave by threats, violence or withholding services such as gas, electricity or water.
It is also the occupier's right to the 'Quiet Enjoyment' of their home, a legal term, without the site owner or anyone else intruding into their home.
You can find more information at these links:
Holiday caravan sites
By law, owners of holiday caravan sites must give holiday caravan occupiers a written statement setting out the basis of the agreement. This applies to anyone who rents a caravan pitch for more than 28 days.
The written statement should include details of the parties and site involved. You can find more information at this link: