Electricity, gas and water supplies
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England
Site owners usually have to supply mobile home owners or occupiers with electricity, gas and water and sewerage services in order to fulfill the conditions of their site licence. This page looks at common problems that can occur.
Electricity
What if I'm being overcharged for electricity?
If your mobile home does not get electricity directly from the mains, then your supply will be coming through the site owner's meter. However, the site owner:
- can only charge you for the electricity you have used
- can only charge you what they themselves have been charged for the electricity
- cannot resell you the supply at a profit.
If you think you are being overcharged, ask the site owner to show you how your bill is calculated. If you're still not happy, contact the Energy Ombudsman.
What if the site owner tries to disconnect the electricity supply?
If the site owner disconnects your electricity supply in order to force you out of your home, this is harassment, and it's illegal. Find out more about harassment and what you can do to combat it.
In addition, the site owner may be breaking the conditions of your rental agreement, in which case you can take them to court. Get advice from a Shelter advice centre or Citizens Advice before taking any action. Use the Advice Services Directory to find help near you.
What if the electricity supply is inadequate?
Again, if the electricity supply keeps cutting out, the site owner may be breaking the conditions of their site licence. If you think this is the case, you can contact the council's environmental health department. The section on improving park conditions has more information on this.
Gas
If your gas supply comes through the site owner's mains supply, then the site owner can only charge you for the units you have used, and cannot resell you the gas at a profit. Contact Consumer Focus (formerly known as Energywatch) if you think you are being overcharged.
Many site owners sell bottled gas to mobile home residents, sometimes at an inflated price. Unfortunately there are no legal restrictions on the amount site owners can charge for this.
In addition, some site owners will prevent residents getting bottled gas delivered to them by other suppliers. However, unless you have agreed to buy gas from the site owner in your rental agreement or written statement, you should have the right to receive deliveries from anyone you choose. If there is a problem with large goods vehicles accessing your property, arrange to pick up deliveries at the entrance and carry them to your home on a trolley.
Water and sewerage
Normally site owners will only charge mobile home residents for their share in the cost of providing water and sewerage services. You can ask to see the site owner's bill for these services if you think you are being overcharged.
