Introduction to park homes

Living on a park home site does differ from living in a bricks-and-mortar property in a number of ways and it is important that you consider this before deciding to move.

This guide explains what is actually like to live on a residential site, so before you buy a park home, you can make an informed decision about whether the lifestyle is right for you.

To find out whether a park home is for you, you should do plenty of research not only by considering the information in this guide but also by talking to site owners and residents living on sites you visit.

Living in a park home is similar to living in a traditional home; however, there are a number of subtle differences between mobile homes and brick-and-mortar properties.

For example, most park homes have a smaller footprint than a brick-and-mortar property, which means that most people downsize when they move from a traditional home. In addition, most lenders do not offer mortgages on a park home. This means that, unless you are a cash buyer, you will have to look for an alternative form of financing.

In a number of other ways, park homes and conventional homes are very similar. For instance, park homes often have similarities to bungalows both inside and out. In addition to this, park homes can also be built with most of the amenities of a traditional house, such as a garage or garden.

So, although the legal and financial aspects of owning a park home are quite different from having a bricks-and-mortar property, there aren’t many differences when it comes to the practicalities of living in one.

If you are buying a park home that you would like to use as a permanent residence, you need to find a site that is classed as a protected site – the site must have planning permission and a site licence from the local authority. This site licence will state whether the site is a holiday site or, crucially, fully residential.

In some instances, the licence may allow both permanent and holiday homes.

The licence should be displayed in some prominent place on the site.

The Mobile Homes Act 1983 gives a number of rights and protections to park home owners who occupy the home as their own or main residence if it is situated on a protected site.

Check the status of the park with the site owner and get it in writing before making a purchase.

Read more about site licensing.

Pitch fees are charges payable to the site owner for use of the site. Pitch fees can range from around £60 to more than £200 per month depending on location, size of home and amenities on the site.

The terms of the pitch agreement will set out the amount of the pitch fee and when is it to be paid to the site owner. Sometimes the pitch fee will include utilities and, if that is the case the agreement should clearly set this out.

The pitch fee can be reviewed annually, but in order to do so, the site owner must serve a pitch fee review notice and the pitch fee review form 28 days before the review, explaining the proposed changes in detail. If you disagree with the proposed increase in the pitch fee, you (and the site owner) can make an application to the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (Tribunal) for determination.

Read more about pitch fees.

If you are selling a mobile home on a residential park there are actually two transactions that happen at the same time – the sale of the park home itself, and the transfer (‘assignment’) of the seller’s occupation agreement to the buyer.

On 26 May 2013, the government introduced a new procedure that must be followed whenever a used residential park home is bought or sold on a site in England. One effect of this is that both buyers and sellers of park homes now have much more responsibility to ensure that the transaction is completed properly. If any mistakes are made this could lead to the assignment of the agreement being unlawful and to costly disputes between the parties.

Read more about:

• buying a park home
• selling a park home

Before you occupy your park home you must sign a written agreement setting out the contractual terms between the site owner and the homeowner. The terms comprise of express terms that have been specifically agreed upon between the site owner and the homeowner, and implied terms that are defined in law.

When you buy a new park home, the site owner must provide you with a new pitch agreement.

When you buy a pre-owned park home, you take on the previous owner’s pitch agreement.

Read more about pitch agreements.

When you live on a residential site, part of the obligation you take on involves agreeing to comply with the site owner’s site rules.

Every park site has its own site rules. The vast majority of sites will have rules on age, vehicles and pets etc. The site rules form part of the express terms of the agreement.

Before choosing a park site, the rules of each site should be reviewed carefully to ensure that you choose a site where you will be easily able to abide by the rules.

Under the Mobile Homes (Site Rules) (England) Regulations 2014, site owners are not obliged to introduce a set of rules but, should they choose to do so, or should they choose to amend those already in place, certain procedures must be followed.

When you buy a pre-owned park home you cannot challenge the agreement or the site rules. The express terms form part of the written statement which is agreed between the site owner and the previous resident.

When you purchase a pre-owned home from someone living on a site, their written statement is assigned to you at the time of sale. As the express terms were already agreed between the previous owner and the site owner, you have no right to demand they be varied.

Read more about site rules.

A qualifying residents’ association (QRA) is a group of residents who work together to represent the interests of residents on a park.

A QRA can operate in a number of ways including consulting with the park owner about issues affecting residents on the park and arranging social activities.

Before you decide to purchase a mobile home, it may be worth finding out whether there is one, or if there is an interest in setting one up on your chosen site.

Read more about qualifying residents’ associations.

The cost to insure a residential park home can vary due to a number of different factors, including the location, size, and age of the home. As the cost of insurance can vary it is always wise to get a dedicated quote.

Insurance for residential park homes is provided by specialist companies, such as Towergate insurers. Although it is wise to shop around, these specialist insurance companies offer fully comprehensive cover at competitive prices.

As well as insuring your home, it is important that you arrange cover for items not covered under the Gold Shield Ten Year Warranty, including your contents.