Making alterations and improvements to your park home and pitch

External alterations and improvements are changes you want to make to your pitch or the outside of your park home.

They could include things like:

• adding decking, steps, ramps or a porch
• erecting fences, sheds or carports on your pitch
• changing the windows, doors or external appearance of your park home
• work that extends or changes the size of your park home
• work that affects the base your park home stands on – you do not own this, it belongs to the site owner

Before making any alterations or improvements check the following:

1. Check your pitch agreement

Check whether your pitch agreement says you need the site owner’s written permission for alterations and improvements. Many say that you do.

This is important because doing work without permission could put you in breach of your agreement (even if the work seems minor).

If the agreement is unclear or does not mention alterations and improvements, it’s best to check with the site owner.

2. Check site rules and site licence conditions

Check the site rules and site licence conditions to see how they affect the changes you want to make.

They can often restrict external changes to your park home or pitch because they are concerned with:

• maintaining the look and character of park homes and pitches
• fire safety and spacing rules between homes set by the council
• the rules about how alterations can change the legal status of your park home

Rules about the legal status of your park home

A park home is legally treated as a mobile home or caravan, not as a conventional house. This means alterations and improvements may not be allowed if they make the home too large, too permanent, or no longer capable of being moved from one place to another.

As a general guide, a park home must not be more than 20 metres in length, 6.8 metres in width and 3.05 metres in internal height. It must also be possible to move it by road, whether by towing it or transporting it on a motor vehicle or trailer.

How to check the rules

• How to get a copy of the site rules
• How to get a copy of the site licence

3. Check if you need planning permission

You may need planning permission from the local council for external alterations or improvements. For example:

• an extension to your park home, including porches
• outbuildings, including summer houses and garden sheds of any size
• other outdoor structures including pergolas and garden parasols fixed to the ground
• driveways, patio areas and the laying of gravel
• decking and access steps of any size
• siting of fixed containers, such as for gas storage

Contact your local council for advice about planning permission.

The site owner or your residents’ association might be able to indicate whether you need planning permission. But you should always check directly with the council.

It’s up to you if you wait to clarify if planning permission is needed or to have received it before asking the site owner for their consent.

If you need the site owner’s consent, ask for it in writing before starting work.

How to ask for consent

Put your request in writing, date it and keep copies of all letters.

Do not rely on verbal consent. Get it in writing so you have proof in case of disagreements later.

Your request should explain:

• what work you want to do
• why you want to do it
• when the work is expected to start and finish
• how the work may affect the site, neighbouring homes or services
• (if applicable) whether you have got planning permission or confirmed that you do not need it

If appropriate, you can include plans or photos.

Give the site owner a reasonable period to respond (for example, 2 weeks).

If the site owner refuses consent, ask them to explain their reasons in writing.

If the reasons are unclear, ask whether the refusal is based on:

• your pitch agreement
• the site rules
• the site licence conditions
• fire safety or access concerns
• the risk that the work would take the home outside the definition of a park home

Under the site rules a site owner may be able to require consent for alterations or improvements, but they cannot impose a blanket ban on improvements. This means a refusal must be based on proper reasons, such as breach of the pitch agreement, site rules, site licence conditions or safety concerns.

If you disagree with the refusal, get advice before taking further action. You may be able to apply to a tribunal if the reason relates to your pitch agreement or site rules. If the refusal relates to planning permission or site licence conditions, get advice from the local council or a legal adviser.

Find out more: tribunals for park home cases

You may be breaching your pitch agreement if you need consent or planning permission and you do the work without it. The site owner or local council can insist that you:

• remove the alteration
• put the pitch or home back as it was
• apply for permission after the work has been done

You must consider how the work will affect other residents. This can include noise and disruption or site access issues.

You may be in breach of your pitch agreement if you do not.

Your residents’ association is a good place to start. They can help you communicate with neighbours and suggest ways you can limit the impact on them and any disruption to the site.