Overview

This bill amends the Mobile Homes Act 1983 to regulate interviews between mobile home site owners and prospective buyers before a sale is approved. It aims to ensure fairness and prevent potentially unfair practices by requiring the presence and oversight of a mutually agreed solicitor during these interviews.

Description

The Sale of Mobile Homes (Interviews) Bill modifies Schedule 1 of the Mobile Homes Act 1983. Specifically, it inserts new sub-paragraphs (1DA) to (1DF) into paragraph 8. These new sub-paragraphs mandate that if a site owner wants to interview a prospective buyer before approving a sale, the interview must:

• Take place in a solicitor's office.
• Be conducted in the presence of a solicitor acceptable to both parties, with the owner paying the solicitor's fees.
• Precede the interview with the solicitor familiarising themselves with relevant legislation.
• Require the solicitor to verify that the owner's reasons for the interview are reasonable, that the owner's statements aren't fraudulent, and that any references provided by the prospective buyer are satisfactory.
• Require the owner to accept any references deemed satisfactory by the solicitor.

The bill also specifies that it will come into force two months after it is passed, and will be known as the Sale of Mobile Homes (Interviews) Act 2009.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly impact government spending. The costs will primarily fall on mobile home site owners who will need to pay for the solicitor's services for each interview.

Groups Affected

• Mobile Home Site Owners: They will incur costs associated with solicitor fees for pre-sale interviews. The process is designed to protect them from fraudulent buyers but introduces an additional expense.
• Prospective Mobile Home Buyers: They will be subject to interviews overseen by a solicitor, potentially adding time and complexity to the purchasing process. However, the process is intended to protect them from unfair treatment by site owners.
• Solicitors: They will benefit from increased business as they are mandated to be involved in all interviews.

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