Your Rights and Responsibilities on Private Gypsy and Traveller Sites

Things you must do when staying on a site

Follow the rules

• You must follow the site rules. Breaking them could lead to legal action or eviction.

Gas bottles

• You need to buy and safely dispose of your own gas bottles.
• Too many gas bottles can be a fire risk.

Insurance

• You must get your own contents insurance to cover any damages.

Council tax

• You are responsible for setting up and paying your own council tax.
• More information on council tax can be found here.

Deposit

• If you paid a deposit, you can get it back when you move out unless you caused damage.

Tenancy agreement

• Read your tenancy agreement.
• If you need help, ask your Gypsy Liaison Officer.

Guests

• You need permission from the landlord for guests to stay if:
  • They are staying in a separate caravan on your pitch.
• Guests could mean friends or family members.

Electricity

• You might be allowed to generate your own electricity.
• For example, with solar panels.

Moving out

• Tell the post office your new address when you move.

Things you must do if you are a landlord of a site

Planning permission

• You must have planning permission under 'gypsy status'.
• Your tenants must meet the Gypsy and Traveller definition in planning law.
• This definition can be found at the bottom of this advice page on:
  • Buying Land and Applying for Planning Permission.

Site license

• Read and understand the site license to avoid fines.

Insurance

• You need landlord and public liability insurance.

References

• You need references from tenants.
• Gypsy Liaison Officers can help with this.

Deposits

• If you charge a deposit, it must be kept in a registered deposit scheme.

Tenancy agreement

• Provide an easy-to-read tenancy agreement.

Empty plots

• You can choose whether to accept tenants from the council's waiting list.

Facilities

• You must provide and maintain basic facilities like water, electricity, and toilets.
• Fix any problems reasonably quickly.

Utility costs

• You decide how much tenants pay for water and electricity.
• But you cannot make a profit.

Business management

• Running a private site is like running a business.
• So consider getting an accountant.

Information booklet

• Rights and Responsibilities: Some important information for landlords and tenants on private Gypsy and Traveller sites.
  • The booklet below has been produced with the help of Romany Gypsy landlords and tenants on sites in Devon.
  • This is to help ensure that private sites provide a safe and fair environment for both tenants and landlords.