How Much Does it Cost to Live in a Mobile Home?

Upfront Payments

You will need to make two types of payments when living in a park home: upfront costs and monthly costs. Upfront costs are the ones you need to pay immediately, and they will make up the bulk of your budget.

Price of the Home

The first upfront cost you will have to pay is the biggest and relates to the price of the home. Unfortunately, it is not possible to get a mortgage when buying a static caravan to live in. Most people pay for their park homes using the money acquired from selling their brick-and-mortar houses, but other options exist. Please read our guide on financing a park home for more information.

Park homes vary in price depending on age and facilities, with brand new homes on an Allens Caravans park capping out at under £300,000. However, second-hand homes cost considerably less because park homes tend not to hold their value, meaning it’s possible to purchase a home for under £100,000.

Surveyor Fees

It isn’t a legal requirement to have a park home surveyed before purchasing it, but it is recommended. This will need to be paid upfront, but it’s worth it so that you know the exact condition of the home you’re buying. Also, if you’re purchasing a second-hand home, a surveyor report will give you an idea of any work that needs to be done so you can factor this into your budget, too.

Plot Deposit

Plot deposits are required for brand-new homes that need to be sited. The fee will depend on the plot location and the house itself. Second-hand homes that have already been sited won’t require a plot deposit, but if you want to move your park home to a new site, you will need to pay a plot deposit.

Solicitors Fees

The following upfront cost you have is solicitors fees. The price will depend on the solicitors you choose. It’s worth enquiring at multiple firms to find the best deal.

Moving Fees

The final upfront cost you need to pay on static homes to live in all year round is moving fees. You can choose to move your belongings yourself, or you can hire movers depending on your preferences.

Monthly Payments

Park homes tend to have much higher upfront costs than normal houses due to the fact you can’t get a mortgage on them, but the monthly costs often make them cheaper to live in. Firstly, you don’t have any mortgage payments to make, but there are a number of factors that bring the cost down.

Council Tax

Residential mobile homes are still liable for council tax, but unlike normal homes, park homes are always charged at Band A – the cheapest available. This cost of Band A will vary from council to council, but it will more than likely be cheaper than what you’re used to paying in a brick and mortar home.

Pitch Fees

When you live in a residential home you will need to pay a pitch fee. This covers site maintenance, as well as use of the facilities and the rent of the land. You will own your home outright, but the land it is sited on will still belong to the site, meaning pitch fees are a rent of sorts. The price will vary from site to site. It is the main difference between traditional homes and residential static caravans, but in the absence of a mortgage payment and with a lower council tax banding, the cost of pitch fees is minimal. You will typically pay less than £200 a month depending on the site and the plot of land.

Utility Bills

Like traditional homes, you still need to pay utility bills. Water, gas, and electricity are charged by the site. You won’t be charged more than the market rate as per legislation set out by OFGEM. This means that even though you can’t choose your supplier for these services, you won’t pay any more than the average market rate.

You will need to pay for internet and TV license fees yourself, but these are easy to set up. For more information on setting up Wi-Fi in a park home, read our residential home Wi-Fi guide.

Overall, your utilities will be comparable to that of a normal home, and things like gas may even be cheaper for those who are downsizing.

Is Living in a Mobile Home Cheaper?

The question most people ask when thinking about moving to a mobile home is if it’s cheaper than living in a normal home. Generally speaking, it is. This is due to lower purchase costs and lower bills, but it is important to remember that this varies from home to home and park to park.