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SubscribeHello do any gransnet members live in a park home? Or know any pros or cons on moving into one please? as this is something i am thinking about doing.
Please join Residential Park Homes Facebook Groups as they give priceless advice.
Karinu as has been mentioned in earlier threads the law changed several years ago, you no longer have to sell to the site owner, you do not need permission to sell, we sold Mum’s through a regular estate agent and completed just a month ago, she also lived there 52 weeks a year
My mother moved to a Park home when her 2nd husband lost his business & they had to sell their 4 bedroom house.
Initially she was upset but she grew to love their new home. I stayed there sometimes & it was warm & cosy but she did miss her garden- they had a small plot & she grew herbs.
It was on the border of The Forest of Dean so very nice walking area.
There was a very good community spirit there too.
We looked at one a few years ago, when we were selling our bungalow as we thought it might be cheaper running costs, but it worked out more expensive with ground rent etc, plus they depreciate, where bricks and mortar generally go up and of course you own the land. In the end we bought another smaller bungalow and were glad we hadn’t gone down that route, wouldn’t like to live by site rules either.
How many times does this need repeating - a holiday home park is NOT the same as a residential park! The latter is for permanent residences. (The former is for, well, holidays.) As crimpedhalo wisely points out, there is a lot of information available online.
rightmove has park homes on the drop down menu for home type. Have a look then you will realise what we are talking about! NOT caravans, but lovely substantial homes.
Hi, some years ago we gave a great deal of thought into buying a park home. Circumstances changed and it was no longer a viable idea for us.
Like some have said and been corrected, park homes are not built like caravans. Yes, they do have wheels, but they are built much differently. You can live in them all year round, as they are not holiday homes.
We visited park home manufacturers and saw them being built and were very impressed.
We spent one of our holidays in a motorhome, looking at parks up and down the country.
The vast majority of park residents live very happy and safer lives than in other areas.
But what must be considered are ground rents, park rules, re-selling and general info on parks. There is a great magazine called PARK HOMES & PARKS.
There are great articles and a really good page of problems/questions from residents. Some of the problems made me gasp. You see the park can and often is, sold to new owners and the rules can change.
Take a look at Park Homes for sale on line and you`ll see they don't come cheap anymore...depending on the area.
But if you go ahead and buy one, I wish you a happy time. These park homes are beautiful and when new, come fitted out with furniture, carpets and white goods.
Enjoy!
I went to look at one with a friend who was interested. There were certainly advantages, as everything was conveniently set up, very attractive and cosy, own little garden patch and shed. It was very quiet and peaceful (over 50's only, no pets allowed).
It would virtually eliminate all the hard work of housework/maintenance/upkeep that houses require and be a good base for somebody who likes to go out or relax.
At the site, you were tied into buying your gas from the owner, contributing to the water bill etc. and there were many rules.
What put us off, though, was the thought of tripping and slipping to the car parking space (not very near the home) in icy winter conditions (and back, with shopping) although it all looked beautiful in summer.
No, of course, they're not good value for money, but they really do suit some people, which is far more important.
I know someone in a residential park home, she has a little garden, is cosy and warm and loves the quiet area with like-minded people. Far far nicer and more independent and spacious than a McC apartment
I've lived in a park home for over eleven years now and it's wonderful. It's nothing like a caravan, doesn't bear even the slightest resemblance. Inside it's just like a bungalow. I've a garden all round, and a detached garage and parking for two other cars.
The rules and regulations have changed quite a lot since I moved here and are much more in favour of the home owner now, not the site owner. There is very little which I can't do, but keeping a motorhome on site is not allowed.
No-one under 50 can live here which means it's very peaceful. But you can have visitors for as long as you like.
One snag is that if you sell you have to give 10 percent of the sale to the site owner. This is the latest thing which we are lobbying parliament over. And there is ground rent to pay, but if you are poor you can claim housing benefit towards it.
I'm not tied in, as some sites are, to buying utilities from the site owner. I deal with gas/electric/bt/etc just as any other home owner would.
There are very few unscrupulous site owners these days. Recent law changes have seen to that. This site belongs to a large reputable company and all problems and negotiations are dealt with very fairly. We have a liaison officer who does this for us. And we have a very active residents association.
I would highly recommend park home living, but do choose your site carefully and research what the conditions are like.
Not all sites are as well run as this one.
My Auntie has a 'holiday home' which she lives in for ten months of the year and she absolutely loves it.
When the site closes she visits her daughter in Australia.
Things have been very different this year though because of the Covid restrictions.
During the first lockdown the site was closed down so she moved in with her Grand-daughter who lives locally.
Her area is currently under tier 3 restrictions but she has elected to stay on the site - but she is finding it very difficult and she is very lonely.
I don't know what will happen when the site closes for the winter this year as she will is unlikely to be able to fly to Australia.
Lots of things to consider before making your decision.
Obviously cheap,
Not necessarily. I know of some which were selling, new, for nearly £300,00 not that long ago, comparable to local prices, and, of course, that does not include the land on which you have to pay a ground rent.
My parents lived in a Static Home and it was probably the happiest time in their life. Based on that alone, I would highly recommend.
What put us off, though, was the thought of tripping and slipping to the car parking space (not very near the home) in icy winter conditions (and back, with shopping)
Some park homes have a double drive and garage, as henetha said. One of my relatives lives in one and it is nust like any other bungalow. She also had a lovely conservatory built on the back.
Perhaps that is why that site is far more expensive than some.
I know of a couple of residential parks that have an upper age limit on the home (not the occupants). Once it gets too old the owners are forced to sell (that’s not easy) and buy a new one if they want to stay on the same site.
I've heard of ones that have an upper age limit on the homes but not the residents!
They wouldn't make someone replace their very old home, but if an elderly resident died or left, the home had to be replaced with a modern one.
Thankyou evryone who has commented so far. A residential park home you can live in all year round we have looked online and been inside one. They arnt cheap some cost as much as a normal property and they aren't like caravans either. Were looking for somewhere in the countryside with nice surroundings .i will look at the facebook group.
Davida1968
How many times does this need repeating - a holiday home park is NOT the same as a residential park! The latter is for permanent residences. (The former is for, well, holidays.) As crimpedhalo wisely points out, there is a lot of information available online.
I have a holiday home on a residential site. 70% residents 30% hoiday homes. Different rules for each but same site.
Cousin had one, it was lovely and in a nice place but the new owners appointed new site managers and they made life difficult for them. You had to get your utilities from them too. Eventually he and his partner managed to move to a proper bungalow and they'd not do it again
I have lived in a park home for just over a year. It is freehold but on private land. I pay £160 a month as a ground rent plus Council tax. They provide street lighting, sewers and a fire alarm system. I only have electric heating but that suits me. 2 bedrooms, garage and a driveway for 3 cars. I love it x
My mother and my sister both lived in a Park Home. You get ripped off buying and selling because the owners demand a large percentage for themselves. Plus, when you come to sell, they insist on okaying the incoming prospective purchasers! Would never recommend it to anybody, sorry.
Lewie
My mother and my sister both lived in a Park Home. You get ripped off buying and selling because the owners demand a large percentage for themselves. Plus, when you come to sell, they insist on okaying the incoming prospective purchasers! Would never recommend it to anybody, sorry.
This is NOT true!
Permanent Residential Park Homes are governed by the 1983 Mobile Homes Act which gives permanent/12 months residents lawful protection. But you must check with the council that the Park has a "Residential licence" not just a "Holiday Licence."
Key things to bear in mind when considering buying a park home....
1/You will be buying the home, but not the pitch (plot). The pitch remains in the ownership of the site owner who is responsible for maintaining and managing the site. (Like leasehold property)
2/You will pay a pitch fee for the occupation of the pitch and you may be charged separately for water, gas and electricity which the site owner may supply directly to your home.
3/You will pay Band A council tax to the local authority.
4/Your pitch agreement will be protected by the Mobile Homes Act 1983, which regulates the contract between you and the site owner and sets out the parties respective rights and obligations.
4/If the site has rules you must comply with them.
5/If you are buying the home from an existing resident, the site owner will be entitled to 10% commission of the sale price(PAID BY THE SELLER)..... Likewise should you sell in the future the site owner will be entitled to 10% commission from you.
6/If you are buying the home from a resident you do not need to contact the site owner. You do not have to give any personal details to the site owner.
7/ Use a conveyancing solicitor specialising in purchase of Residential Park Homes...(.its worth it)
8/ Do your research and choose your site carefully, but they can be wonderful, supportive communities.
B9exchange definitely not always the case that they depreciate. When my friend and her husband said they were thinking of buying one, that was what I thought too. But in fact, their park home went up and up in value quite significantly right up until the time she died and her husband moved.
We went to buy a prestigious make, second owner residential Home 2 years ago which cost more than the original owner paid for it 8 years ago.
Granted they likely don't appreciate as much in value as bricks and mortar but there is a benefit in that it is classed as a chattel (like a car), so should the eventuality arise, that you need to go into a care home, your Park Home is not used for funding and your beneficiaries inherit the full value.
Just be sure to do as much research as possible to ensure Park Owner has a Residential Licence so you have protections under Law.
When I worked for Age Concern (as was), I visited older people living in a number of park home estates. The newest park homes are almist indistinguishiable from traditionally built bungalows and are built with a high level of insulation. I never met anyone not happy with their decision. Most parks take over 55s only and most are long established.
4allweknow. It is only if you buy onto a park, officially classed as a holiday park, that you have to move out for several weeks a year - and many do choose to live on these parks as if they were residential and accept that they have to move out for a couple of weeks a year. If you buy onto a residential development, which most are away from holiday destinations, you live there 52 weeks a year, just like any other home owner.
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