Living on a park home site in Scotland can mean different legal relationships: you might rent the whole home, own the home and rent the pitch, or have a mixed agreement with the site owner. This guide explains what park home residents and tenants should know about repairs, pitch fees, notices and when to use the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber). It uses clear tenant-focused language so you can spot a breach of the Repairing Standard, understand notice deadlines, gather evidence and follow simple steps to apply for tribunal remedies if informal approaches fail. Keep copies of all letters, photos and receipts and act promptly on any written notice.
Who has tenancy rights on park home sites?
Park home arrangements vary. If you have a Private Residential Tenancy you are protected by the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 and its rules on notices and rent increases. If you own the home but rent the pitch, different contract terms apply and some legal protections still exist for pitch fees and site management. When in doubt, check your written agreement and seek guidance from the tribunal or official Scottish guidance before acting.[2]
Repairs and the Repairing Standard
In Scotland, landlords must meet the Repairing Standard for private rented housing. If your home or the shared site facilities are unsafe, leaking, or lack essential services, you should report the problem in writing to the landlord or site owner and give a reasonable deadline for repair. If the landlord does not fix the problem, tenants or home owners on a pitch can apply to the Housing and Property Chamber for a Repairing Standard Enforcement Order.[1]
- Report the repair in writing and keep a copy of the message and delivery evidence.
- Keep photos, dates and receipts as evidence of damage or repeated failures.
- Contact the landlord or site owner first to request a repair and set a reasonable deadline.
- If the deadline passes without action, prepare to apply to the tribunal within the statutory timeframes.
Notices, rent or pitch fee increases and eviction
Landlords must follow formal notice procedures under Scottish tenancy law for rent increases, notices to leave and other prescribed actions. Private Residential Tenancy rules limit arbitrary evictions and set the grounds and notice periods a landlord must use. If you receive a notice to leave or a rent/pitch fee increase, read it carefully, note the deadline and get advice before you ignore or accept it.[2]
Official forms and where to find them
Key official forms and guidance you may need:
- The tribunal application form (Housing and Property Chamber): used to apply for a Repairing Standard Enforcement Order or an order for possession when informal steps fail; for example, submit the tribunal application if a landlord ignores a written repair request and you need a legally enforceable repair order. See the tribunal forms and guidance for how to complete supporting evidence.[1]
- Notice to Leave and written notices under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016: landlords must use the correct grounds and notice periods set by the Act; tenants should keep the notice and check the ground stated before responding. Use the Act to confirm whether the notice is valid.[2]
- Scottish Government guidance on Private Residential Tenancies: practical guidance on tenancy terms, rent increases and tenant protections; use it when you need plain-language explanations and examples to prepare evidence or challenge a rent/pitch fee change.[3]
How to prepare evidence for a tribunal application
When you prepare an application or a response, be concise and factual. Assemble a timeline, copies of written reports, receipts, photos and any communication with the landlord. Ask witnesses to provide short statements if they observed ongoing problems. The tribunal expects clear evidence linked to the legal ground you invoke.
- Organise photos and receipts by date so the tribunal can follow the timeline.
- Include copies of written repair requests, notices and the tenancy or pitch agreement.
- Note any hearings or deadlines sent by the tribunal and prepare to explain your case clearly on those dates.
FAQ
- Am I protected by the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 as a park home resident?
- It depends on whether your agreement is a Private Residential Tenancy or a pitch-only agreement; tenants with a Private Residential Tenancy are protected by the 2016 Act while pitch-only contracts may follow different rules, so check your written agreement and seek tribunal guidance if unsure.[2]
- What should I do first if my home or pitch needs an urgent repair?
- Report the issue in writing to the landlord or site owner, keep dated evidence and request a reasonable deadline for action; if the problem continues, apply to the Housing and Property Chamber for a Repairing Standard Enforcement Order.[1]
- Can the site owner evict me or increase pitch fees without warning?
- They must follow legal notice procedures; arbitrary eviction or sudden unlawful fee increases are challengeable. If you receive a notice to leave or a fee increase, get advice, check the statutory grounds and consider tribunal application if the notice seems invalid.[2]
How-To
- Write a clear report of the problem to the landlord or site owner and keep a dated copy.
- Gather evidence: photos, receipts, messages and a short timeline of events.
- Allow a reasonable deadline for the landlord to respond and record when that deadline passes.
- If there is no satisfactory response, complete the tribunal application form for a Repairing Standard Enforcement Order with your evidence attached.[1]
- Attend any tribunal hearing or submit a written statement if you cannot attend, and respond to questions with your organised evidence.
- If the tribunal grants an order, check the enforcement steps and keep records of any compliance or continued problems.
Key Takeaways
- Keep written records and photos of repairs, communications and receipts as your primary evidence.
- Follow formal notice procedures and note deadlines before responding to eviction or rent increase notices.
- Use the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) when informal steps cannot resolve the issue.
Help and Support / Resources
- Housing and Property Chamber (First-tier Tribunal)
- Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016
- Scottish Government: Private Residential Tenancies guidance
