MEMBER ALERT - CHECK THE SMALL PRINT
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
YOUR CURRENT OR PENDING PITCH FEE REVIEW NOTICE
CHECK THE SMALL PRINT
Although this alert is largely intended for residents living on Wyldecrest sites, most of us know that schemes involving extracting added charges from residents are shared between exploitative operators.
And so it was, when one of them decided to enable a third party business to install what are described as `smart meters` , the charges associated to reading them, issuing the bills and collecting the monies to be undertaken by that third party , so relieving the site owner from such tasks and costs, whilst the hapless residents would then be charged on a daily basis for the service that was previously always included and paid for within the pitch fee.
As we already know, the scheme was vigorously challenged and the Upper Tribunal agreed in that case, that such charges could NOT be passed on., adding that any monies already paid should be refunded.
link to decision…….
Enter yet again, David Paul Sunderland ( Wyldecrest`s so called `Head of Legal ` who thought he`d found a way of circumnavigating the decision on Wyldecrest`s behalf, by describing the installation of such meters as an `improvement` to the site subject to consultation with home-owners or their qualifying residents Associations.
However, multiple cross county reports confirm that although those said consultations had resulted in majority or more rejections, unsurprisingly, Wyldcecest are pressing on regardless , hence today`s reference to pitch fee reviews and any small print within your pitch fee review notice , which might include an additional fee, that if not contested at the review and where you have a Direct Debit Mandate in place, the charge is likely to be collected, - with the subsequent assertion that having paid the proposed added charge within your pitch fee - you`d agreed to the inclusive proposal and are therefore contractually bound to continue making payments
We are, of course, aware that many cross-county residents and their Associations are planning to submit their own arguments at their forthcoming pitch fee reviews - but it`s important that support and help is given to those who may be vulnerable and are unable to effectively challenge such a proposal alone.
Wyldecrest ( as do others ) play the numbers game. However outrageous or unlawful the demand, they rely upon those, who for various reasons, concede – note the explanation once given to me by one scamming site -owner, who bragged that he always checked who`d paid when they didn’t have to – because they`d be on what he called the `idiot list` at the next attempt.
ALWAYS ADVICE:
Check your Written Statement , This is your contract with the site owner and if there`s no mention of service or payments surcharges then they cannot be imposed ( most Agreements) and unless that are seriously compelling reasons, ask your bank to cancel your Direct Debit Mandate as a precaution and instead, pay by phone and card, where no charges can be lawfully incurred.
ADDED REMINDER……...
Utilities: Right to Information and Evidence
Documentary Evidence: If you pay for utilities (gas, electricity, water, sewerage) to the site owner, you have the right to request, in writing, evidence supporting those charges.
Free of Charge: The site owner must provide this documentation free of charge, including an explanation of how the charges were calculated.
Time Limit: If the site owner fails to provide this information within a reasonable time, you can apply to a First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for a determination.
2. Electricity and Gas Charges
Maximum Resale Price: Site owners cannot charge you more for gas and electricity than they paid for it, including standing charges. This is regulated by Ofgem.
No Profit Rule: The site owner acts as a reseller, and they are prohibited from making a profit on electricity or mains gas supplied to your home.
LPG Regulation: While there is no specific legislation for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), case law suggests that the cost of LPG delivered to pitches must be at the same unit price paid by the site owner.
3. Water and Sewerage
Water Resale Order 2006: Charges for water are regulated, ensuring you only pay for what you consume if metered, plus a reasonable share of standing charges.
Unmetered Supply: If not metered, you may be charged based on average usage, as determined by the relevant water authority.
Information Request: If the site owner fails to justify the water charges within 28 days of a written request, your liability is reduced to half of the average bill.
4. Direct Supply
In some cases, utilities are supplied and billed directly by national suppliers rather than through the site owner, in which case the site owner cannot set rates.
5. Protection Against Interruption
Site owners must not harass you or interfere with the supply of utilities to your home.
For a detailed analysis of your specific situation, it is recommended to check your written agreement (written statement), which outlines the precise terms of your utility obligations.
If you need independent advice, you can contact the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), which provides free advice on park home issues. Link below >>>
LASTLY BUT IMPORTANTLY :
YOUR PARK HOMES POLICY FORUM WEBSITE.
As a registered member of the Park Homes Policy Forum, you`ll know that we`ve made changes in the way in which we communicate , as reflected in the launch our new website
As explained, there were three key reasons that prompted these changes. The first was to overcome the problem of providing information and advice using social media which could be quickly overwritten by new posts and effectively lost.
The second, the need to provide qualified answers to the most common questions in one place, - and the third, to ensure that important news and alerts could be directed to the email inboxes of registered members with minimum delay.
Our face-book page will remain accessible to anyone, so enabling park home residents to communicate with one another, openly or privately, across the UK – but also intending to drive readers to our website, where we more helpful information can be easily found
In combining our regular blogs with our information database we`ll be keeping you up to date with new events, judicial decisions and the forms of scams and abuses that can be adopted by some operators – and how to tackle them - our updated website is now a unique and permanent resource.
When registering, whether as a park home resident or you`re using our dedicated form because you live on a Wyldecrest site, you can be assured that your data will remain secure. This website incorporates the highest levels of user security features and is fully compliant with its registration under the Data Protection Act.
To summarise, it`s hoped you`ll find the work that`s been done will better strengthen your awarenesses of your rights and obligations and how to engage them. – So, I simply ask that you check out the conntent and importantly, pass on the link to your neighbours, asking them to similarly register because we`ll be undertaking collective initiatives where registered numbers will certainly count.
You may also wish to send the link on the your MP, so they have access to events in the market when matters associated to Park Home living are raised in Parliament.
All the very best.
Tony Turner
.Here`s the link for you to share >>>