Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 3 February 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 February 2015. It was answered by Brandon Lewis (Conservative) on Monday, 9 February 2015 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Park Homes: Fees and Charges

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what representations he has received on park home owners being required to pay both the site licence fee and the site inspection fee; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

Since the new site licensing regime came into force on 1 April 2014, my Department has received one enquiry with anecdotal evidence of park home owners being required to pay a site licence fee and a site inspection fee.

We have made sure the process for charging fees is transparent by requiring local authorities to publish their policy on how they will set the fees. We have also published guidance for local authorities on matters that can and cannot be taken into account in setting fees.

If a home owner and site owner are in dispute about whether or what amount of the annual charge can be recovered through the pitch fee, either party can apply to the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for a determination.

We recognise that more work needs to be done to change the culture of the sector. We have therefore set up a Minister-led working group to identify evidence of poor practice in the sector and investigate how best to raise standards further.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
223119
Session
2014-15
Related items
Park Homes
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Fees and charges Park homes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk