Park home site licensing
About site licensing
Park home sites must be licensed by the local authority, and have planning permission. The site owner or site manager must also be on the local authority’s register of fit and proper persons, which shows they are a suitable person to run the site.
The rules apply to “protected sites” which are privately owned parks where the relevant planning permission or site licence allows the land to be occupied wholly, or in part, for year-round residential use. This includes mixed use sites where there is both holiday and fully residential occupation of the pitches.
If a park home is on a mixed site and on a pitch which is intended for permanent residential use, it is important for the owner to check that there is the relevant planning permission in place which allows the residential use of that land and there is or will be an agreement in place for the home to be lived in as the owner’s main or only residence. This will be an agreement to which the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (as amended) applies.
How to find a copy of the site licence
This may be dependent on the wording of the conditions attached to the site licence (which has been issued by the local authority); however the licence should be displayed on the site in “some conspicuous place” together with the conditions of the licence itself.
The licence and conditions are usually displayed on the park’s noticeboard. There may be provisions in the express terms of the written statement (or Mobile Homes Act agreement) about where the site licence is displayed or about how it may be available to be viewed, for example in the site office.
If you are still unable to find your site licence, you can request a digital copy from your local authority. All local authorities must keep a register of site licences and the register must be open to the public at all reasonable times.
How to check the fit and proper persons register
Anyone can inspect the register in person during the local authority’s office hours and online to see if a site owner/manager is fit and proper.
The site owner’s details are usually included within the site licence agreement and the written statement. If you have a look at either of these documents, you should be able to find out who your site owner is. Many parks will also have a website providing details of the site location, facilities, and contact information.
How to check planning permission
If you live on a protected site, you will be able to find the details of the sites planning permission within your written statement. The written statement must include the date when the site owner’s legal interest or planning permission is due to end (if applicable) and an explanation of how this affects your right to stay.
If you cannot find your written statement, this information will also be included on the site licence.
- Last updated:
- 19 August 2021
- Next review:
- 15 December 2026
Related content
How to resolve problems, including complaints and applying to the tribunal
The terms of your agreement and when you or the site owner can end the agreement
Advice guideThe process for changing site rules and what to do if you're unhappy with proposed rules
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