Protecting your sale: How to handle the Assignment paperwork

Hi everyone.
A neighbour of mine is currently trying to sell their home, and they are incredibly stressed about the paperwork. There was a government report published late last year highlighting that some unscrupulous site owners are still trying to illegally block sales or interview prospective buyers.

Could someone clarify the exact process for the 'Notice of Proposed Sale' forms? My understanding is that under the new rules, the seller deals directly with the buyer, and the site owner actually has very little say in who buys the home, provided the buyer meets the park rules (like age limits). Any advice I can pass on to put their mind at rest would be greatly appreciated!

Hello there,

It is completely understandable that your neighbour is feeling stressed. Selling a property is daunting enough without worrying about interference, but you can definitely put their mind at rest! Your understanding of the law is spot on.

Thanks to the Mobile Homes Act 2013, the power dynamic in park home sales shifted firmly back to the resident. The site owner is no longer allowed to interview prospective buyers, and they cannot approve or arbitrarily block a sale.

Here is a quick breakdown of how the 'Notice of Proposed Sale' works to protect the seller:

1. Finding the Buyer
Once your neighbour finds a buyer, they deal directly with them. The site owner is not involved in the negotiations or the vetting process.

2. The Notice of Proposed Sale
Your neighbour must send a formal 'Notice of Proposed Sale' to the site owner. This is not an application asking for permission; it is simply a legal notification telling the site owner who is buying the home.

3. The 21-Day Window
Once the site owner receives that notice, they have exactly 21 days to object to the sale. However, they can only object on very specific, strict grounds. As you rightly mentioned, this is usually limited to the buyer not meeting the established park rules (for example, if the park is strictly over-50s and the buyer is 30, or if the park prohibits dogs and the buyer is bringing one).

4. The Tribunal Safety Net
If the site owner does want to object, they cannot just say "no" and stop the sale. They actually have to apply to a First-tier Tribunal and prove their case. If the site owner does not apply to the Tribunal within those 21 days, the sale automatically goes ahead.

What your neighbour should do:
Make sure they are using the official government forms (specifically the 'Buyer's Information Form' and the 'Notice of Proposed Sale' form). As long as their buyer fits the written park rules, your neighbour is in complete control of the sale.

Hope this helps alleviate some of their stress! Let us know how they get on.

*** Disclaimer: while this is the standard legal process, it is always recommended to use a solicitor or conveyancer who specialises in residential park homes to handle the paperwork!