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19 September 2005

CARAVAN PARK OWNERS URGED TO MAKE FAIRER CONTRACTS

Trading Standards Service (TSS) is urging caravan park owners to put into practice new guidance issued by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

The comprehensive guidance for static caravans has been produced to help make caravan contracts clearer and fairer.

There are around 12,000 static caravans in Northern Ireland and some of their owners are subjected to unfair terms by park owners. Some consumers are faced with park owners making significant changes to caravan owners' rights and obligations without consulting them and move caravans from their pitch without a valid reason.

Investigations by TSS indicate some of the main areas of consumer concern are:

  • widespread absence of written contracts,
  • being compelled to sell their caravan to the park owner and not getting a fair price;
  • reluctance to complain for fear of being evicted from the site;
  • excessive and unexpected increases in annual pitch fees.

In one case a caravan owner who paid £11,500 for a caravan, was given £4,400 when he sold it back to the park owner four years later. Within two weeks the park owner re-sold the caravan for £11,000.

Caravan owners and those considering buying caravans on parks are advised to think very carefully before entering into any arrangement that only allows them to stay on the park for one season at a time.

An updated edition of the Trading Standards advice booklet, "Caravan Holiday Homes - the questions you should ask," will be available soon. To pre-order your copy, contact: Consumerline on 0845 6006262.

David Livingstone Head of Trading Standards Service said: "The majority of people thoroughly enjoy their caravan holidays and are treated fairly and with respect by park owners. However, as we are continuing to receive complaints, I welcome the guidance which will encourage the industry to adopt contracts that are clear, fair and provide a high degree of transparency.

"TSS will continue to work with the caravan industry and individual park owners to effectively implement the OFT guidance. We will also, where necessary, use our new powers under the Enterprise Act to take legal action to prevent the use of potentially unfair terms."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. "Guidance on Unfair terms in holiday caravan agreements" is published by the Office of Fair Trading and can be ordered online at www.oft.gov.uk

  2. The guidance only applies to "static caravans" i.e. caravans stationed on plots for use on seasonal holiday parks. It does not apply to touring caravans or residential park homes (sometimes known as mobiles).

  3. In 2003 TSS ran seminars throughout Northern Ireland to help park owners and to encourage the industry to adopt contracts which were clear and did not include unfair terms.

  4. Media enquiries to DETI Press Office on tel: 028 9052 9604

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