Mobile dwellers 'have few rights'

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Mobile home residents in a County Down retirement park have got few legal rights unless they have a written contract, a solicitor has said.

They received letters from the Groomsport park owners telling them to either upgrade to a park home costing Â£90,000 or remove their mobile home.

Caravan law specialist Graham Watts said people who only have a verbal agreement would face difficulties.

He said if a similar case arose in England, the law would protect them.

In England, the Mobile Homes Act 1983 protects people whose only permanent dwelling is their mobile home.

Mr Watts, of Park Home Legal Services, said this did not apply in Northern Ireland.

"All they have will be in essence will be whatever written contractual agreement they have with the owner of the land," he said.

"Quite frankly, unless they've got something in writing, they've got very few rights."

Mr Watts added: "Pressure should be put on the devolved government to adopt this legislation pretty quickly."

Residents have raised concerns about the future, and are due to meet local politicians later on Thursday to discuss their next move.