Utilities
In most cases, utilities in residential parks are not included in the site rent. These are generally paid for separately by the home owner to the park owner.
A park owner cannot charge the home owner, or arrange for the home owner to be charged, an amount for the use of the utility that is more than the amount charged by the relevant supply entity (e.g. retail electricity provider) for the quality of the service supplied to or used at the site.
Certain costs are prohibited from being passed onto home owners by the park owner or a third party. A meter reading fee cannot be charged, nor other administrative charges relating to the supply or on-supply of the utility (e.g. cost for time spent obtaining state government concessions or rebates where this is done by the park owner or a third party).
Park owners who charge in excess of the cost of a home owner's supplied utility may be in breach of the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003 and penalties may apply.
Park owners can include a component cost in the site rent to cover the cost of providing electricity and maintaining the electricity network or other infrastructure charges. This should be explained in the site agreement.
Because of the way that electricity is supplied to, and within, residential parks, you may not be able to utilise the benefits of solar power. Seek advice from the park owner and a lawyer to ensure you are aware of the parks capacity to handle solar power.