Queensland Government
Department of Housing and Public Works

There are several processes for resolving disputes between a home owner and a park owner.

Internal dispute resolution

We strongly recommend that park owners develop informal dispute resolution processes.

Some examples of possible internal dispute resolution processes could be:

  • having all complaints lodged through the home owners´ committee (if one exists)
  • nominating someone to consider all complaints on behalf of the park, such as a resident, manager or staff member
  • engaging an independent mediator to deal with problems.

The benefit of channelling all complaints through the same person or group is that:

  • common complaints can be grouped together and dealt with more quickly
  • complaints can be resolved quickly
  • fewer costs are involved.

Dispute resolution service providers

The Department of Justice and Attorney-General's Dispute Resolution Branch offers a free mediation service which may help resolve conflicts associated with property.

Alternatively you may contact the Caravan and Manufactured Homes Residents Association of Queensland Inc (CAMRA), which is a government-funded advocacy and dispute resolution service. CAMRA offers free advice and dispute resolution services to manufactured home owners. For CAMRA's contact details see useful contacts.

If the dispute can not be resolved through the park´s internal dispute resolution process or through the options outlined above, and the issue relates to a site agreement dispute, then the home owner or park owner may apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative QCAT.

Disputes between residents

If you have concerns about other residents, for example noise complaints, you should first discuss it with the neighbour involved.

If you cannot resolve the problem directly with your neighbour, you may then consider discussing it with the park manager or home owners´ committee.

If further mediation is required, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General's Dispute Resolution Branch may also be able to assist residents in resolving their dispute.

Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal

The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal is an independent decision-making body for resolving site agreement disputes. QCAT can resolve a number of issues, including disputes about rent increases, varying special terms, terminating site agreements and changing park rules.

In the first instance, QCAT may refer the parties to mediation. After this, if the parties still cannot agree, QCAT will resolve the matter.

If you have a dispute about matters that the Act or your site agreement does not mention, you should seek independent legal advice for options which may be available to you.

The Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House Incorporated (QPILCH) operates a self representation service to assist people who are parties to particular types of matters before QCAT, including disputes arising under the Act.  For more information www.qpilch.org.au.

Home owners´ committee

Properly elected home owners´ committees are allowed to negotiate with the park owner on behalf of the home owners about complaints and proposals.

The park owner must respond within 21 days to any written complaints or proposals from the committee.

A group of home owners can jointly apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal about any matter arising out of these circumstances.