Council sites for Gypsies and Travellers

This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland

Many local councils in England provide sites for Gypsies/Travellers to stay in, either temporarily or permanently. This page looks at what these sites are like, how you can apply for a pitch, and what you can do if you’re not happy with the facilities or the way the site is run.

What are council sites like?

At present, English councils provide around 5,000 pitches for Gypsies/Travellers across several hundred sites. Most council sites are open all year round, some offer temporary transit sites. Some also operate seasonal sites to deal with an increased need for pitches during the summer. Site sizes vary, from fewer than ten pitches to more than 40.

Councils don’t have a legal duty to provide site accommodation, and some sites are inadequate. Sites may be located in unsuitable areas, such as near motorways or landfill sites, or on land that's liable to flooding. Often sites are located far from shops and other amenities, without any public transport links, and many don't have suitable facilities.

What facilities do council sites have?

Facilities on sites vary enormously as there are no specific standards for sites, but the Government has produced good practice guidelines. Site facilities may include:

a hard standing for a caravan
space to park cars or other vehicles
space for a second caravan to provide additional accommodation for your household, or guests
toilets
showers and/or baths
some storage space
an area for preparing and cooking food
a secure mailbox
communal areas, such as meeting rooms or children's play areas
access to education and health services, for example a health visitor or teacher may call at the site.

Bear in mind that some sites are much better equipped than others, and that the facilities aren't always accessible for disabled people.

How do I get a pitch on a council site?

You can't just move onto a council site, you'll need to apply for a place first. Usually you'll need to complete an application form, which you should be able to get from the council's housing department or from the site office.

Many sites have vacant pitches, but if the site is full, the council should keep a waiting list.

Usually places are given out on a 'first come first served' basis, so when a pitch becomes free, the person who's been on the waiting list the longest will get it.

Some councils may use a similar system to the one they use for deciding who gets priority on the waiting list for regular housing. This means that people who are considered by the council as having the most need, for example those with young children or those with medical needs, will be given priority on the list.

Contact the council to find out how their application process works and how pitches are allocated in the area.

Above all the council is required to have a reasonable and transparent policy in relation to the allocation of site pitches.

Can the council refuse my application?

The council may refuse your application if:

you have rent arrears from a previous stay on a council site
other residents refuse to accept you onto the site
you have had problems with a tenancy on a council site in the past, for example, due to antisocial behaviour.

Speak to an adviser if you're in this situation, as they may be able to help you sort out a solution with the council. Find an adviser near you.

There are also specialist agencies that work to provide help for members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities. Contact Friends, Families and Travellers or the Traveller Law Reform Project for information and advice.

What are my rights on a permanent council site?

The law says that you will have certain important rights regardless of where your site is, other rights may vary depending on the agreement you have with the council. When you move onto the site, the council must give you an ‘occupancy agreement’ in writing, which you'll need to sign.

Occupancy agreements will vary between councils, but in general they should set out:

contact details for the site manager and warden and a list of the things they're responsible for
details of the pitch fees and any other charges for other facilities on the site
site rules, for example, about visitors, pets, antisocial behaviour and use of the facilities
what to do if any part of the site needs repair work
how to complain if you're unhappy about anything on site
the notice you must give if you want to leave.

The occupancy agreement should be available in accessible formats, such as braille or on tape, and the site manager or the council's Gypsy/Traveller liaison officer should talk you through it as well.

You can also speak to an adviser at a Shelter advice centre, Citizens Advice or another local advice service if you're unsure about anything.

Can I pass on my tenancy to a member of my family when I die?

If you die, your occupancy agreement will pass on to your spouse or surviving civil partner if they were living with you.

If you do not have a surviving spouse or civil partner, then your occupancy agreement passes on to a member of your family who is living with you at the time of your death.

If neither of the above applies, then the occupancy agreement can pass to someone you leave it to in your will (or through the laws of intestacy if you don’t have a will). But that person will need permission from the council before they can move in.

What fees will I have to pay?

Pitch fees on council sites can be fairly high. However, you may be able to claim housing benefit to help pay all or some of your pitch fee. If you are living on a county council site the rules in relation to housing benefit are slightly different and if your fees are unreasonably high your housing benefit may be restricted. You may, therefore, have to pay some of these fees yourself even if your income is very low.

What if I fall behind with the rent?

If you don't pay your rent, the council may be able to start court action to evict you from the pitch, so make sure you prioritise your rent payments over other bills and costs. If you find yourself falling behind with the rent, speak to an adviser as soon as possible. They may be able to help you apply for backdated benefits or sort out a payment plan with the site manager, so you won't be asked to leave the site. You can find out more about rent arrears here.

If you move on from a council site without paying your arrears, the council may not let you move back later. You may also find it hard to get a place on another council site.

Will I have to pay for utilities?

As well as pitch fees, you'll also need to pay for electricity. There may also be separate charges for water and sewage services. Depending on the site's policy, you may need to pay for this in advance, or when you're billed. Some sites require you to buy a pre-payment card for electricity.

There are laws governing the prices you can be charged for electricity. The council can only charge you what they themselves have been charged for the electricity, and can’t resell you the electricity supply at a profit.

Will I have to pay council tax?

Yes, residents on sites are expected to pay council tax. Depending on your income you may be entitled to council tax benefit to help you pay some or all of the council tax.

How long can I stay on the site?

There is no time limit to your stay on the site, unless you are on a temporary transit site – in which case you can only stay for up to 3 months.

Will I lose my pitch if I leave the site to travel?

Most councils will allow you to keep your pitch on the site for a specified time while you are away travelling, usually up to 12 weeks a year. However, you will be expected to pay your pitch fees while you are away, so it is important to make appropriate arrangements before you leave.

Your occupancy agreement may set out the site's policy, or you can check with the site manager. If you reach an agreement with the site manager allowing you to keep your pitch while you are away you should ask for this to be confirmed in writing.

What can I do if site conditions are poor?

If you're not happy with the facilities or conditions on the site, you should first contact the site manager or the council's Gypsy/Traveller liaison officer.

If things don't improve, you can make an official complaint, using the council's complaints process. You should have been told how this process worked when you moved onto the site, but if not, the site manager or liaison officer should be able to talk you through it. You can find out more about how to complain about your council here.

If the council still doesn't take action to improve conditions, you can try getting support for your case by contacting local councillors. Find your council's website or call their switchboard for councillors' contact details.

If you want to make a complaint, contact your local Shelter advice service, Citizens Advice, or another housing service in your area. Use our directory to find one.

What can I do if I am disabled and the site is not accessible?

If the site or its facilities are not accessible for you, you should make a complaint to the site manager and council as outlined above. All councils in England have a responsibility to ensure that their services are reasonably accessible and inclusive, promoting equal opportunities for disabled people in all areas. This is known as the disability equality duty.

It is against the law for the council to discriminate against you because you are disabled, by treating you less favourably than a non-disabled person or offering you a poorer service.