07 September 2008The information in this section is for the use of owners or prospective owners of mobile home parks and also for residents living in mobile homes.
To view a list of the mobile home parks in the Sevenoaks District, open the following file Mobile Home Park List (
PDF 24K file details).
Applying for a site licence
If planning permission is granted, a Site Licence Application Form must be completed and submitted to the Council by the occupier of the land. The Council must issue a site licence within two months unless the applicant agrees that the period should be longer. To apply for a Site Licence, download and complete the Site Licence Application form ( PDF 11K file details) then send it to the Private Sector Housing Team.
Site licence conditions are based on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's (ODPM) 'Model Standards 1989'. However, these standards do not have to be followed rigidly by local authorities. They can be omitted or adjusted as the local authority thinks fit. For example, the Council has adopted a strict approach to fire safety. This is as a result of consultation with the Kent Fire and Rescue Service and other agencies to ensure that our standards are appropriate in ensuring the health and safety of residents of mobile home parks.
The Council has adopted a risk based inspection programme in order to ensure that conditions on mobile home parks are to the required standard.
The licence holder must apply to the Council in writing for any conditions to be changed. This should include detailed proposals and plans if the proposals include an alteration of the site layout.
When a person with a site licence is no longer the occupier of the land, the licence may be transferred to the new occupier with the Council's consent. The name of the new holder, and the date of the transfer, must be endorsed on the licence by the Council.
Challenging decisions of the Council
The 1960 Act allows the licence holder to appeal to a magistrates' court against conditions attached to a licence when it is issued and against any alteration of a licence. If the licence holder is unhappy about the conditions attached to the licence they can appeal within 28 days of the issue of the licence.
Residents' information
The information below is intended for use by residents of mobile home sites.
Every residential mobile home park has to have a site licence issued by the local authority. The local authority refers to the present model standards when adding conditions but can also add its own, mainly to do with fire safety and other health and safety measures.
Home Repair Assistance is a discretionary form of grant for owners of mobile homes. It is specifically designed to provide practical help through grant for small-scale works of repair, improvement or adaptation. Disabled Facilities Grant is now available for occupants of mobile homes. These can be used for the adaptation of a property for the benefit of a disabled person. Further details of grant availability can be found in the Housing Grants section of this website. Please note that the Council will take account of the general age and condition of the mobile home. It is unlikely that grant assistance will be available for homes that are considered to be beyond economical repair.
If you have a complaint concerning a mobile home park you should always contact the site owner or manager initially in order to allow them a reasonable amount of time to remedy the situation.
If the site owner or manager is reluctant to remedy the situation, you should then contact the Private Sector Housing Team who may be able to take further action.
Park rules and other matters which are not covered under the site licence are strictly an issue between the resident and landlord. The Council is unable to act on behalf of residents or landlords in such circumstances. If you are unable to resolve any issues, you can ask a court or arbitrator to make a decision if both parties agree. You should consider seeking advice from a solicitor or your local Citizens Advice Bureau before taking such action.
If you are thinking of buying or already own a mobile home, you can download the ODPM booklet - Mobile Homes ( PDF 1240K file details. The booklet is a guide for residents and site owners.
The Park Homes Charter has been drawn up jointly by the residents' associations, British Park Home Residents' Association, Independent Park Home Advisory Service, National Association for Park Home Residents and the industry trade associations, British Holiday & Home Parks Association and the National Park Homes Council, and in consultation with the then Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
The Charter has been drawn up to help the home owner and the park owner to understand and use the law in a fair and even way.
To view the Park Homes Charter in full click here.
