Moving into a Caravan...legal situation?

wwwigz

Hi,

In the next few weeks, I will be moving into a static caravan on someone elses land.
I will pay rent, which includes water rates and electricity. I have to pay gas myself and no other services are available. (Apart from mobile broadband, which I hope to get a good deal on soon!)

We don't want to do this illegally, and I have given them an AST tenancy form to look at.
Reading the form, it seems as though there are many irrelevant points to living in a caravan, and am wondering if we can doctor the AST to suit our needs, then sign it. Will it be a legal document?

Is there Tenancy Agreements for caravans on private land (not caravan park) ?

Can we even just draw up a T.A. for ourselves,. covering relevant points, services, maintenance etc? - how can this be made into a legal document?

Oh, and just one more thing:

I don't have to pay Council Tax, the land lords say this is included in the rent.
Is this OK?
If it comes to me claiming Housing Benefit, do I have to stipulate how my CT is being paid, or can I just NOT apply for it when applying for HB?

wwwigz

Hi,

I don't own the caravan, but am renting the caravan and the 'pitch'.
Although I could possibly approach them about me 'buying' the caravan ?

I'm pretty sure the owners have rights to rent it out, as they say they are paying rates (of some kind) on it, so prefer someone to be living in it!

I think I will call Shelter, thank you!

tbs624

If you are renting both the mobile home with the pitch then this would not fall under the Mobile Homes Act 1983.

You can have an AST if the mobile home meets specifics - ie that it is connected to services, is static, a permanent home etc.- and can be classed as a "dwelling house". Most mobile home /pitch owners would probably prefer to avoid an AST though becuase of the repairing obligations that comes with it. Bear in mind that there is a cap on what the owner can charge you for electricity/gas that they resell to you.