Buying a park home: things to consider

A park home is a mobile home that you live in all year round. They are sometimes called residential park homes and are located in sites licensed by the local council.

Some people choose to live in a park home for the lifestyle benefits. Park homes:

• often cost less than a traditional home
• can be maintained more cheaply and easily due to their size
• are often located in attractive or coastal locations
• give some residents a sense of community
• are popular with retirees – some sites have age restrictions

Most park home sites will have a set of site rules, but the law also gives legal rights and protection to park home owners.

Disadvantages to owning a park home include the fact that they may not retain value over time as a traditional house or flat might. If you sell your park home, the site owner receives 10% of the sale price.

The quality of site management and services can also vary, with issues about pitch fees and maintenance of the site frequently reported.

Buying the park home

It is not possible to get a mortgage on a park home. This is because you’ll own the structure of the home itself, but not the pitch (ground) it is located on.

Some park home buyers finance their purchase by selling their previous home. If this is not possible, some lenders offer loans to finance a park home purchase.

Legal fees

It’s not compulsory to use a solicitor or other professional when buying a park home, but it is recommended. They can spot any problems and provide peace of mind to both sides.

Find out more: Using a solicitor

Arranging a survey

Getting a survey is not compulsory, but is recommended – especially when buying a second-hand park home.

A survey can identify potential issues that may need fixing before you buy the park home, such as structural problems, damp, or problems with the roof.

Ongoing costs

When living in a park home you pay a pitch fee (usually monthly) to rent the space from the site owner. Fees generally increase in line with inflation.

As well as the pitch fee, you'll need to pay council tax and utility bills.

Find out more: costs of living in a park home

You can buy a park home from the site owner or from a park home owner.

New park homes are more expensive than used ones, but usually offer better insulation and have a manufacturer’s warranty period.

Used park homes may be more likely to need repairs.

If you want to live in a park home all year round, it’s important to choose a home in a licensed residential site.

Residential park home sites

A permanent residential site is licensed by the local authority and contains park homes that can be lived in all year round. The law gives certain protections to the residents.

Holiday park sites

A holiday site is licensed by the local authority and contains static homes and caravans that are not intended to be lived in all year round. They usually have to close at certain times of the year.

You’ll have fewer legal protections if you buy a home on a holiday site, and you cannot use it as your main home.

Mixed use sites

Mixed use sites contain both residential park homes and holiday homes. If you buy on a mixed use site it’s important to check the park home you’re buying is for residential use.

Find out more: What is a park home?

Browse this site for further information about park homes.

Other online resources include:

• the National Association of Park Home Residents (NAPHR)
• the Independent Park Home Advisory Service (IPHAS)
• Age UK: Living in a residential park home (mobile home)