New plans have been announced to protect mobile home residents are from dishonest site owners seeking to make a profit at their expense.

Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP confirmed new steps to give local authorities tougher powers to tackle rogue operators in their areas, ranging from fines to outright bans for the worst offenders.

Over 85,000 families live on 2,000 park home sites across the country, including many older people, but a small minority of dishonest site owners abuse their position.

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The changes that will be made will prevent site operators from burdening residents with unfair and unnecessary charges, providing greater transparency and clarity for those who live on the site and putting cash back into resident’s pockets.

There will also be better guidance available on what to do if residents feel they are being harassed by their site owner.

Ms Wheeler MP said: "Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their own home.

"We know some people in mobile homes have been ripped off by rogue site owners who charge excessive fees and harass residents.

"To stop this, councils will be given powers to ban site owners who do not meet the standards expected of them. We will make sure they have the tools needed to protect the vulnerable, while allowing honest operators to flourish."