Advice needed - Lyons caravan parks

Cherrypi

Hi everyone
im hoping someone out there can give me some advice.  I’ve owned a static caravan on a site for a few years then it was taken over by Lyons. I’m basically now selling up and trying to move my van off the site.  Here are my issues:-
1) my contract with the previous owners stated a disconnecting fee of £750.  Lyons wanted to charge £1500 and have agreed to £1200.  I have no contract with Lyons only the original owners.

2) I have asked repeatedly for a breakdown of the costs for this £1200 - so far they haven’t given me anything. I have no paperwork whatsoever.  Yet they won’t move the van until I pay.  The website portal just says ‘disconnection fee’ - I’ve asked them to break this down - nothing. 

Basically we all know they jack up fees like this but I’m wondering if I have grounds to dispute this after I’ve paid it - I’m going to have to pay it to get the van disconnected and removed from the site and they know this, yet I know it’s hugely inflated.  I’m prepared to get independent quotes and to go and film the disconnection so I can see how long it takes and what’s involved but just curious as to whether I can then present this later as it’s delaying the move of the van.  Surely it’s not unreasonable to ask for a breakdown of fees?  I suspect they don’t want to put down in writing what they are charging as actually it’ll probably take a couple of hours for their staff to do it…

Any advice would be appreciated!

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Cherrypi said:

1) my contract with the previous owners stated a disconnecting fee of £750.  Lyons wanted to charge £1500 and have agreed to £1200.  I have no contract with Lyons only the original owners.

How do they propose to get the extra money from you OP, can you not move the van yourself? Do they have any leverage over you?

If you haven't got a new agreement to pay more than £750 then give them £750 and let them decide what do about that. 

Alderbank

You have no contract with the current site owner but you still have a valid contract with the previous owner.

That sounds unusual. 
What exactly are the terms and conditions of your contract with the previous owner?

user1977

Surely you have a contract, otherwise on what basis are you still occupying your pitch?

Cherrypi

When Lyons took over they didn't update the agreements so I haven't signed anything regarding changes to their fees.

Honestly I want it done with but I'm not willing to pay the fee until I have corresponding paperwork for the disconnection and breakdown of what they want to charge, which I have made clear every time and they just keep quoting a disconnection fee of £1200.  I've checked the NACO website and they state:-

I feel the park are overcharging me, what can I do?
In the first instance you should write to your park to ask for a breakdown of the charge -you are within your rights to ask questions about what the fee encompasses. Once you have received their response, and if you remain unhappy with the park’s charge you can challenge it.

Firstly, you must obtain (ideally) 2 written quotations from appropriate contractor relating to dis-connection and removal of the holiday home and submit them to your park. The park then could revise their charge. If they see fit not to reduce the charge, please contact NACO for our further guidance and assistance as there may be scope of approach to Trading Standards to evidence the charge as unfair.

So I don't think I'm being unreasonable asking for a breakdown?  They won't do anything to disconnect it until I've paid up front so I don't have the option of just paying the £750.

Alderbank

You don't have any rights under the Consumer Rights Act to demand a breakdown of a trader's charges for a contract (you can ask of course but they don't have to tell you).

However it is now apparent that this thread is not about consumer rights, it is about the Mobile Homes Act.

Static caravans are primarily governed by the Mobile Homes Act 1983, which was strengthened by the Mobile Homes Act 2013. This legislation provides significant rights to residents, including security of tenure and a written statement (contract). Key provisions include stricter rules on pitch fee increases, enhanced selling rights, and protections against eviction. I think the Act was strengthened further in 2021.

Unless any posters here are familiar with that Act, you might be better to have your thread moved to House Buying, Renting and Selling https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/house-buying-renting-selling