Park Homes FAQ's

Buying and selling

Is buying a park home a good financial investment?

Can I buy a park home for my own land or do I have to buy on a park?

How does the buying process differ from purchasing a traditional bricks and mortar property?

How would I resell my park home if I needed to?

What are the costs involved in the buying and selling of a park home?

Are mortgages or loans available for the purchase of park homes?

What is the significance of a licensed park and how do I know whether a particular park is licensed?

How are my interests protected when buying a park home?

Where can I have a good look at the alternative models available before I buy?

Are park homes sold with all the furniture and soft furnishings?

Owning and running a park home

How are costs from the utility companies dealt with?

Are the provisions for building and contents insurance identical to bricks and mortar?

Are park homes subject to council tax?

Can I have guests, friends and family to stay?

What regulations are in place to ensure the appearance and upkeep of homes on the park?

Park lifestyle

How does park home living differ from conventional bricks and mortar property?

What ongoing expenses are associated with park living and how do they work?

What happens when I or my partner get older and need extra help?

Do parks have their own shops and amenities?

What legislative protection do park home owners have?

Are park homes only for retired people?

Technical

How well built are park homes?

How energy efficient are park homes?

What guarantees do they come with?

What maintenance is required?

How do I go about replacing things when they do eventually wear out?

How is a park home constructed?

How long are park homes designed to last?

What external finishes are park homes available in?

Can I see how the homes are made in the factory?

Is a park home a mobile home?

What is the heating system?

Who do I contact if I have any technical questions?

Buying and selling

Is buying a park home a good financial investment?

When buying a park home you are purchasing both the property and the use of the land on which it is sited and as with any home, the resale value of a park home will therefore be dependent both on the state of the property and the location.

The value of the land on which the home is sited will rise in line with regional property values but it is important to note that due to their structure, park homes are designed for a finite period of approximately 50 – 60 years. This factor will affect the resale value and can slightly counteract the rise in land value.

However, land values have historically increased in the UK over the last few decades to the extent that this increase is greater than the depreciation rate of the home. As a result, there are very few park home owners who have lost money when buying a park home.

Furthermore, park home ownership is an increasingly popular way of living, with approximately 250,000 people living in park homes in the UK alone. This demand has also driven up prices.

Comparing very favourably to the cost of a larger family house, investing in a park home provides a secure, safe and peaceful living environment. Indeed, the measure of your investment should take into account the quality of life afforded by park home living.

Can I buy a park home for my own land or do I have to buy on a park?

If you are lucky enough to own your own land and choose to buy a park home to site on it you must secure the approval of the local authority.

If you choose to buy a park home on a residential park we always recommend that you buy a home on a licensed park.

When buying a home on a licensed park, the owner of the development has to ensure the operation of the park follows the detailed conditions laid down in the license.

If you site a park home on a park or plot of land that is not licensed or does not have local authority consent, you could be forced to leave or remove the home.

How does the buying process differ from purchasing a traditional bricks and mortar property?

When buying a park home it is not necessary to take legal advice as the contract is standardised within a written agreement under the terms of the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (amended 1 October 2006), and defines the rights and obligations of both the site owner and the resident.

However the purchase of a park home does require careful consideration and an element of research. For peace of mind you may wish to take legal advice during this process.

You should undertake a local council search to find out whether the park has permanent planning permission for residential use. The local council will also be able to tell you if there are any planned works that might affect the park in the immediate future.

Once you have chosen your home you will have to sign the written agreement with the park operator. The written agreement is a legal contract between you and the park operator.

The park operator has an obligation in law to provide you with a copy of the written agreement. You should always check through the document before you commit to the purchase.

How would I resell my park home if I needed to?

You can sell your park home either privately, through an estate agent or through the park owner.

Before you sell your home and transfer your agreement you must notify the park owner of your intention and the price required. The park owner should be kept informed of all negotiations as they must give their consent to any prospective purchaser of a home. This is to ensure the standards of the park are maintained for future residents. However, consent cannot be unreasonably withheld.

In order to ensure the ongoing maintenance of the park, and to keep pitch fees as low as possible, the park owner is entitled to a 10% commission share of the sale of your home when the agreement is re-assigned to a new home owner.

This is due to the fact that the amenities and location of the park contribute to the resale value. This commission also ensures the park remains a viable investment for both the park owner and their residents.

What are the costs involved in the buying and selling of a park home?

The costs of purchasing a park home are much less than the costs associated with buying a traditional bricks and mortar property. You will not need to enlist the services of an estate agent when buying a new park home for example, nor is stamp duty payable on park homes. In addition to this it is not necessary to take legal advice as the contract is standardised within a written agreement under the terms of the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (amended 1 October 2006), and defines the rights and obligations of both the site owner and the resident.

Costs that you should consider when purchasing a home are:

- Solicitors fees should you choose to take legal advice before signing the written agreement
- Paying for a survey if you are purchasing an older, used home

Costs that you should consider when selling a park home are:
- A 10% commission is payable to the park owner on sale of your property. This is due to the fact that the amenities and location of the park contribute to the resale value. This commission also ensures the park remains a viable investment for both the park owner and their residents.
- Fees payable should you use an estate agent to sell your park home through

You should also consider the following ongoing living costs:

- You will need to pay a weekly, monthly or annual pitch fee to rent the land on which your home is sited
- Council tax is payable on park homes which are generally classed in the lowest 'A' band.
- Utility bills

Are mortgages or loans available for the purchase of park homes?

If you are unable to fund the purchase of your home completely, specialist finance companies can offer loans specifically for the purchase of residential park homes in the UK.

Park home loans are available as both fixed rate and variable rate schemes with repayment periods of up to 25 years.

What is the significance of a licensed park and how do I know whether a particular park is licensed?

Buying a home on a licensed park, gives you reassurance that the operation of the park follows the detailed conditions laid down by the local authority for park home residential use.

A licence for park home residential use ensures the development meets necessary guidelines in regards to park maintenance, health and safety, capacity restrictions, supply of utilities etc.

To find out whether a particular park is licensed, it is best to contact the relevant local authority or contact us and we will be more than happy to enquire on your behalf.

How are my interests protected when buying a park home?

When buying a park home your interests are protected under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (amended 1 October 2006).

The Act covers important rules about security of tenure, the sale of mobile homes and other details of agreement between site owners and residents.

For more information please visit www.communities.gov.uk where you’ll be able to read more about the Act or alternatively please feel free to call us with any of your questions, 01258 860455.

Where can I have a good look at the alternative models available before I buy?

Our website offers you the opportunity to view online our range of residential park homes and also use our unique park home finder service where you can locate show homes in your area or the area you are interested in.

Alternatively, please feel free to visit our dedicated show centres:

Beaulieu Gardens

Beaulieu Avenue

Christchurch

Dorset

BH23 2EB

T: 01202 483 597

www.beaulieugardens.co.uk

Upton Glen Upton

Ringstead

Weymouth

Dorset

DT2 8NE

T: 01305 836452

www.uptonglen.co.uk

Trossachs Holiday Park

By Aberfoyle

Stirlingshire

FK8 3SA

T: 01877 382 614

www.trossachsholidays.co.uk

At any specific time there is a range of models available at our factory in Dorset to view but these are constantly changing, so please contact us to ensure your journey is worthwhile and allow us to schedule your visit in to our program.

If you would like to view any of the models that you are interested in please do give us a call on 01258 860455.

Are park homes sold with all the furniture and soft furnishings?

All of our park homes include furniture and soft furnishings as standard, although you can deduct these should you wish to use your existing furniture or source specific items yourself.

Wessex Park Home interiors are designed to the highest specification and can be chosen to suit your personal tastes.

Owning and running a park home

How are costs from the utility companies dealt with?

When buying a park home you will have to budget for the cost of electricity and gas, together with other relevant household services, such as water and sewage.

It is always best to ask the park owner to notify you of the utility providers and who will be invoicing you.

If utilities are charged through the park operator, establish if there are any surcharges levied for this.

Are the provisions for building and contents insurance identical to bricks and mortar?

You will have invested a lot into your park home and it is important that you insure your property as you would with a traditional bricks and mortar home. There are specialist companies who offer insurance specifically for park homes and we can help point you in the direction of those insurance companies who understand park home living and your property.

Are park homes subject to council tax?

Park homes are subject to council tax and are generally classed in the lowest ‘A’ band.

Can I have guests, friends and family to stay?

Guests, friends and family are welcome to stay at your park home, however, each park will have its own guidelines on allowing visitors onto the site.

In most circumstances it is best to liaise with the park owners as regards any restrictions placed on visitors.

What regulations are in place to ensure the appearance and upkeep of homes on the park?

Regulations to ensure the upkeep of homes are specific to each park.

Your written agreement with the park operator will often cover such items as your duty to keep your home in good repair and should be reviewed before entering into the agreement.

Park lifestyle

How does park home living differ from conventional bricks and mortar property?

Modern park homes are in fact very similar to living in a traditional property with central heating, double glazed windows and pitched roofs. Space is often allowed for patio and garden areas and with facilities for all the modern conveniences such as telephone lines and cable TV.

They are often lifted 1 - 2 ft off the ground to allow access to the underside and surrounded by brick skirting.

The social benefits of park home living are those most readily appreciated by many.

Residential parks are very much communities, offering a secure, safe and peaceful living environment.

Many park owners invest heavily in creating carefully landscaped and well laid-out surroundings for park home residents to enjoy.

What ongoing expenses are associated with park living and how do they work?

To cover the upkeep and maintenance of the park’s shared amenities and facilities, operators charge a site fee.

Site 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 1 October 2006).

What happens when I or my partner get older and need extra help?

Residential park living is very much a community environment which offers a perfect way of life for those approaching their older years.

Many parks are designed with this in mind and specialise in providing additional support as required. This may include help with shopping, transport, emergency contacts on site and in-home pull cords for reassurance that someone is always nearby. Some parks will even have formalised care provisions in place which can provide peace of mind for the home owner and their families.

Do parks have their own shops and amenities?

While some residential parks have their own shop to supply the bare essentials, other park homes are often located to nearby local amenities.

When buying a residential park home it's important to be sure that the shops you require for day to day purchases, a doctor's surgery and a pharmacy are all easily accessible from the park.

Many park home owners enjoy taking part in park community initiatives such as committies, clubs and other social activities. Some parks will also provide help with shopping and run additional services such as a daily shuttle service to nearby amenities.

What legislative protection do park home owners have?

Park home owners have legislative protection under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (amended 1 October 2006).

For more information please visit www.communities.gov.uk where you’ll be able to read more about the Act or alternatively please feel free to call us with any of your questions, 01258 860455.

Are park homes only for retired people?

Park homes are not just for retired people, although there are parks specially designed for those over 50 and approximately 80% of park home residents are in or near retirement. However there are residential parks open to all ages and which welcome younger couples and families.

There are more than 2,000 parks up and down the country to choose from and approximately 250,000 people in the UK are already enjoying park home living.

Technical

How well built are park homes?

Built on a steel chassis, a park home is timber framed and provided with a tough and durable weatherproof exterior, plus a textured finish, styled to resemble traditional render.

All Wessex park homes are constructed to British Standard BS 3632 (2005) and particular attention is paid to achieving a high level of insulation - often with park homes having an equal or superior value to cavity wall buildings.

How energy efficient are park homes?

Particular attention is paid to achieving a high level of insulation in each Wessex park home – often with each model having an equal or superior value to cavity wall buildings. This keeps heat loss from the park home and future energy bills to a minimum.

Wessex is pleased to work to specific requirements for super-insulating if required. We can also incorporate renewable solutions such as solar water heating and triple glazing to attain even higher environmental standards than those which new bricks and mortar properties are currently being built to.

What guarantees do they come with?

All new Wessex park homes are covered by the Gold Shield 10 years warranty scheme so as long as the park has registered as a Gold Shield park. This is a useful point to check when selecting your park. Purchasing a Gold Shield home means you are covered for the cost of remedial work that may be required in the unlikely event of an inherent defect in the load bearing structure of your new park home – over a ten year period from the date the home was first purchased. In addition, in the first year, you are covered for defects in components or substandard workmanship.

Wessex Park Homes will also pass on all manufacturers’ guarantees on bought in furniture, fittings and appliances. We have also successfully negotiated higher periods of guarantee than those available in the high street on some of our purchased appliances.

All guarantees, operating instructions and maintenance requirements are clearly presented in our home owner pack which is provided to the new home owner and which also contains all useful contacts regarding warranties.

What maintenance is required?

One of the overwhelming benefits of purchasing a residential park home is that unlike traditional properties, little maintenance is required.

Park homes are designed for easy maintenance. The careful choice of modern materials, intelligent design and construction techniques, combined with the single storey layout, means owners are unlikely to be faced with sudden high repair bills to their park home that are a common feature of bricks and mortar properties.

How do I go about replacing things when they do eventually wear out?

Most components and appliances in your park home are standard items that can be easily replaced and which are readily available in the local high street and DIY stores. As part of our commitment to ongoing customer service Wessex will also help to source any replacements required if necessary.

How is a park home constructed?

A park home is essentially a well insulated timber structure built on a steel framed floor.

Today’s park homes from Wessex are all built in compliance with British Standard 3632 and incorporate many of the same materials as bricks and mortar properties e.g. upvc windows and doors, timber studwork, wall and floor boarding and high performance, dense insulation.

Wessex Park homes are constructed under carefully controlled workshop conditions, before being thoroughly checked and transported to the residential park. We work closely with you and your chosen park to ensure the process runs smoothly.

Once at the park the home is sited on a concrete base before being connected to all mains services. If you have chosen a furnished home, all furnishings will be put in place for you as specified. All you have to do is move in.

How long are park homes designed to last?

Many park homes, properly maintained, will last approximately 50 years. With a focus on longevity and using the latest modern technology Wessex properties are designed to last with the right care and attention.

With a new home little maintenance is required in its first 10 years, other than external painting every three to four years.

Older park homes will require maintenance, and a home over 20 years old may well require a new roof or re-cladding. We would recommend that anyone purchasing an older home, especially a home more than 10 years old, has a full survey of the property carried out before buying it.

What external finishes are park homes available in?

With a Wessex park home there is a wide variety of attractive and low maintenance exterior claddings to choose from. These range from untreated natural timbers like cedar and larch which require no maintenance regime, through to proprietary systems like Cape Cod, canexel weather boarding and the traditional timber log lap.

Residential homes are generally finished in stucco rain shield which resembles a traditional painted render finish on brick work.

Can I see how the homes are made in the factory?

We gladly offer customers the opportunity to see where their lodge is manufactured and welcome visitors by appointment to our factory in Dorset.

Is a park home a mobile home?

A park home is often referred to as a mobile home and park home owners have legislative protection under the Mobile Homes Act 1983. This is because the property can be moved should it be necessary, unlike a bricks and mortar home.

However, a residential park home is very different from the traditional perception of a mobile caravan. The park home is likely to remain on the same park for the duration of its lifespan and offers the home comforts you would expect from a bricks and mortar home such as central heating, double glazed windows and facilities for telephone lines and cable TV.

What is the heating system?

Wessex park homes are manufactured complete with a condenser combi boiler heating system.

Who do I contact if I have any technical questions?

If you have any technical questions regarding your park home, please do call or email us and we will be happy to address your enquiry:

Tel: 01258 860455

Email: info@wessexparkhomes.co.uk

Sign up to our Newsletter

Make an enquiry

How can we be of help?

© Copyright Wessex Park & Leisure Homes

Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0RB | Tel: 01258 860455 | Fax: 01258 861436 | Email: info@wessexparkhomes.co.uk