Park Homes FAQ's
Park home fees are charges raised by the park operator to cover the upkeep and maintenance of the parks shared amenities and facilities. These park home fees vary up and down the country depending on the location of the park. Increases in fees can only be made in accordance with the requirements of the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amended 2006).
Probably the most important safeguard the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amended 2006) offers owners of park homes is security of tenure. It also gives the owner of the park home the right to sell the park home on the park, and the right to leave the park home to certain members of the family. See the ‘Park Home Factsheet’.
What attracts many people to park homes is the social aspect that often supports park home living coupled with a secure environment. Having a secure and social environment can come as a huge relief to the older generation that can often feel isolated in their current home. Park homes will often include an onsite manager or resident owner to lend a helping hand to any maintenance issues and add to the security of the development. Park homes provide an excellent alternative to semi-sheltered homes whilst allowing you to keep your independence.
Some park homes will be age restricted so check first to save you a wasted journey. About 80% of people living on park homes are either retired or close to retiring but not all park homes will be age restrictive.
Some park homes have a strict ‘No Pet Policy’, however other park homes may allow you to bring a pet with you, but should they pass away you may not be able to replace the pet. Naturally your pet should not cause a nuisance to neighbours or you may be asked to remove your pet. Again, it is best to check first before you come and have a look at the park home.
Check with your park home agreement, but most park homeowners will allow you to make minor changes such as décor. Any major changes or additions then make sure you seek the park homeowners permission. For example fire regulations on the park home will restrict the addition of wooden sheds. Check first before you pay out for a tradesperson.
In most cases you will be responsible to maintain the park home to a good standard and any repairs will be down to you. Naturally this will be in your interest, as it will be to other park homeowners, to keep the standard of the park high.
On residential sites yes you will have to pay council tax, although this is often the lowest banding. If you are buying on a holiday site then it is likely that the park home owners will pay commercial rates and therefore you will be exempt from paying council tax.
Modern park homes are usually fitted with energy efficient boilers and are well insulated so the running costs can be very good, even older homes can be reasonable too. Recent research by Homeseeker Park Homes in eight different parks revealed that the average annual electricity bill was £281 for electricity and £384 for mains gas. These energy bills were, on average, much lower than those of a typical bricks-and-mortar house.
No. The energy regulator, Ofgem, issued a Direction under the Utilities Act 2000 to ensure that: the maximum price at which mains gas or electricity can be resold is the same price as that paid for by the person who is reselling it. This is known as "pass through" and ensures that the park operator cannot sell at a premium.
When there is no mains gas, as is sometimes the case in rural areas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is the closest alternative. LPG is used for central heating, water heating and cooking. It can be stored in cylinders, in a tank (above or below ground) and delivered to a property via a pipeline.
