Here’s How To Deal With It And Maintain Your Legal Position…
If you own a park home, there´s a good chance you may have experienced:
- A sudden pitch fee increase
- Little explanation
- A tight payment deadline
- Growing pressure from your park operator for payment – even if you don´t agree with it.
Many owners feel trapped into paying fees they believe are unfair, excessive, or unjustified simply to avoid conflict, penalties, or threats of contract enforcement.
But there is a better way to deal with this pressure — one that protects your legal position.
We know that park operators rely on pitch fees as their main source of income. When increases are introduced, they often demand payment quickly, providing vague justifications whilst downplaying owners´ rights to contest. Suggestions may be made that non-payment results in a breach of contract on your part, (and forced removal of your park home) so they create more of a sense of urgency.
For many owners, this pressure leads to them paying the fees they don´t agree with just to stop the pressure and threats from park operators. Unfortunately, if fees are paid in full, it may weaken an owner´s ability to contest them at a later date.
The way you handle the situation now matters.
The Smart Strategy – ¨Paying Under Protest¨
One of the most effective ways to deal with disputed pitch fee increases is a strategy known as ¨payment under protest¨.
What Does This Mean?
You make a payment – but not necessarily the whole payment. Upon making the payment, you clearly state that you do not accept the increase and that you reserve your right to challenge it.
How Does This Help You?
This protects you from any contract breaches, threats of enforcement, loss of your rights or receiving penalties from the park for non-payment. But, it will not affect your rights to contest the fairness of the increases at a later date.
What Could Happen If You Don’t Pay?
Some owners point blank refuse to pay unfairly increased fees, which is understandable but may be detrimental to their legal position.
Non-payment could result in breaches on contract which in turn strengthens the park´s legal position. Additional fees may be applied for non-payment causing unnecessary stress and may limit future options for the owner.
How Do You Know If a Pitch Fee Increase Is Unfair?
You may have grounds to challenge an increase if:
- The increase is above the rate of inflation without any clear justification
- The park cannot provide calculations as to the increases
- Park facilities have declined instead of improving
- Lack of delivery of promises made by the park
- You were not consulted in the correct manner
Many owners end up paying more and receiving less, which is more common than you may think.
REMEMBER – You Don´t Have to Accept Unfair Increases
You have rights as a consumer when it comes to how pitch fees are calculated, how they are communicated, whether they are justified and contractually valid. If a park operator can´t justify how they increased your fees, you may be able to contest it.
DON’T FEEL THAT YOU ARE ALONE
Understanding your contract, your rights and the correct way to respond to pressure from park operators can make all the difference. With the right guidance, we can help you protect your legal position, reduce financial risk, challenge unfair increases, explore exit options and see if you could be entitled to claim money back.
What You Can Do Today
The First Step
Get in touch. We´ll help you understand if your pitch fee increases were justified and if your contract can be challenged. We´ll discuss what legal options you have, if you can claim money back and how you can be protected moving forward. Don´t let pressure dictate your future. You worked hard for your park home and deserve transparency, fairness and choice – not pressure and uncertainty. If you’re being chased for late payments or rising pitch fees and want to understand where you stand, contact us to seek advice before responding to your park. A simple call could make all the difference.
A simple review could:
✅ Strengthen your legal position
✅ Identify breaches you didn’t know existed
✅ Protect you from unfair future increases
✅ Potentially open the door to compensation
You have more rights than you realise. Make sure the park knows you understand them.