Owning a residential park home: things to think about

Deciding to move anywhere can be a hefty decision but deciding to move somewhere that will give you a whole new lifestyle is especially so – even if that decision is likely to be one of the best decisions you could ever make! Keeping the weight of this decision in mind, it is a good idea to do plenty of research in advance so you can make sure you are well-informed about everything to do with residential caravan park life. Here are a few things to get you started:

The Bureaucracy

As far as property is concerned, paperwork and regulations are to be expected, regardless of what type of property you opt for. Just as certain laws and authorities govern homeowners and the property market, certain acts and authorities regulate the world of park homes. For example:

• The Mobile Homes Act 2013 is important because it helps protect both park owners and park home owners. More information on the Act can be found here (Department of Communities and Local Government/CLG)
• The National Caravan Council (NCC) is the governing body responsible for setting and regulating the caravan industry standards. They are a non-profit organisation working for the benefit of the consumer and its members include residential park home manufacturers, specialist suppliers (products and services) as well as park operators. All of these members join the NCC and commit to raising and maintaining high standards of quality and customer service. The NCC can also help in the unlikely event of a dispute regarding residential park homes or any NCC members. See here for more details
• There are several government factsheets that prove incredibly useful when you need help regarding your residential park home. The Buying A Park Home Factsheet is particularly helpful for those who are new to residential parks and homes

The Bonus Information

Once you have made the decision to move to a residential park home and after you’ve wrapped your head around the bureaucracy that comes as part and parcel you will have lots more to think about. There are little details that need to be taken into account, not to mention all the fun of planning the move and making the home your own once you get there. Some of the things you might want to consider are:

• Living in a park home means you need to have utilities sorted out and working properly, year round. Most park homes are connected to mains water, electricity and gas. There are regulations that ensure park owners and residents pay the correct percentage of utility bills, so make sure you communicate with park owners and do your research
• Park homes will need annual maintenance so you will need to factor this into time and budgets. The exterior walls and the roof are key spots to check each year and they will likely need recoating every year. If in doubt, it is best to check the manufacturer’s handbook
• You will have to budget for park fees (or pitch fess) which are usually paid monthly. They can range between £100 and £300 depending on the park, its location and its amenities. Any increases must be in line with the Mobile Homes Act 2013
• Council Tax will still apply when you live in a park home but most homes are rated as Band A however, it is best to check in advance so you can work the actual figure into your budget

Of course, as with any big life-changing move, there are a hundred and one things to consider. Not only can you use different resources like the internet and specialist publications to gather information, you can also approach different park owners and residents to get first-hand accounts of the lifestyle and logistics involved with park life. However you decide to research the market and the practicalities of residential park homes make sure you feel well-informed and confident in your decisions before committing. There is no doubt that park home life is one to enjoy but to make the most of it you need to be sure that you choose the perfect home and park, which means you need to know exactly what is involved.