Improved security for long-stay caravan park and lifestyle village residents

23/12/04
The Gallop Government's new Residential Parks (Long-Stay Tenants) Bill 2004 provides greater certainty for people who live in residential parks, caravan parks and lifestyle villages.
Consumer and Employment Protection Minister John Kobelke said until the Bill passed through Parliament and could be enacted, interim arrangements had been put in place to modify regulations under the existing Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
"These interim arrangements come into effect tomorrow, Christmas Eve, and will provide security and peace of mind for many park residents," Mr Kobelke said.
The new provisions allowed tenants who own a dwelling and are subject to a periodic tenancy agreement to benefit by:

• park operators being required to give 120 days notice to vacate residents (without a reason) which is increased from the previous 60 days; and
• park operators being required to give not less than 60 days notice if they are selling the property, an increase from the previous 30 days.

The Minister said the new regulations did not apply to strata titled caravan parks or parks that were exempted from the provisions of the RTA.
"We have communicated this initiative to major community stakeholders and relevant Government agencies, including through a 'question and answer' segment on the Consumer Protection website," he said.
"When it is enacted, the Residential Parks Bill will strengthen the rights of those people it covers, many of them over 55's and it will support the quality of life they have chosen and deserve.
"This is a really great step forward for Western Australians who wish to take advantage of the many and varied living options and lifestyle choices our State has available."
For more information about the changes visit http://www.docep.wa.gov.au and type 'residential parks' into the search text box or telephone 1300 30 40 54.
Minister's office: 9222 9211