Frequently asked questions

Park homes are generally a safe and secure way to live and can bring peace of mind to retirees choosing this way of life for their later years. Many residential parks have on site security, gated entrances and/or CCTV which provides an additional level of security for you and your park home. What's more, being part of a community means there is always someone watching out for you. Neighbours, park owners and staff are all able to help safeguard your wellbeing.

Park homes are mobile homes that are able to be lived in as a main residence. Generally park homes are kept in one position once sited, but they are manufactured in an off site factory and transported to their final location. Park homes are governed by a unique tenure where you own the property but lease the land it sits on.

A new park home generally ranges from around £60,000 right up to £600,000 with the price varying based on location, age and condition of the property and the quality of the fixtures, fittings and extras added. Take a look at our park homes for less than £150,000 here for some great value park homes: http://manhattan.monkey-nutz.co.uk/Featured/7869/Residential-Park-Homes-Under-150000---Sell-My-Group

A property is considered to be a Park Home if it is able to be moved from one location to another. Whilst wheels might be used to assist with final siting of a park home via towing, the actual unit will be delivered via a Large Goods Vehicle, the wheels are elevated once the park home is safely in its final position.

Park homes are more often than not residential but you will need to check that the park you are buying from has a residential licence and also provides you with a written statement which legally allows you to live in your park home and class it as your primary residence. Park homes are built to residential specifications and so are suitable to be used as residential properties. Occasionally park homes might be situated on a holiday park and similarly a holiday lodge might be situated on a residential park, so if you intend on living in a park home you must ensure you are purchasing from a residential park and with a Written Statement.

Park homes are generally unable to be purchased with a mortgage as you do not buy the land that they are sited on. However, there are specialist finance companies who can help you spread the cost of the purchase and your financial provider also might be able to offer financial products that could assist with buying a park home.

Park homes are probably not the best buy if you are looking to make a profit as they are widely considered a depreciating asset. However, if they are well maintained and in a location that is popular they might hold their value reasonably well. The benefit for many comes when looking to downsize as the relatively cheaper property prices can leave you with savings in the bank from a house sale. Add to this a property in a safe and friendly community that is easy to maintain and cheap to run and you may find that a park home is well worth buying.

Park Homes can last up to 80 years and you can ensure that the lifespan of your park home is lengthened by regularly checking for any maintenance that needs to be carried out. Many parks offer maintenance services and can help you keep your park home in tip top condition, ensuring that it lasts as long as possible.

It is unusual for residential parks to provide park homes on a rental basis and similarly to allow owners to rent out their park homes. There are a limited number of residential parks that provide rentals and if you are buying with a view to let out your park home, make sure you check your contract to see if this is allowed, before your purchase.

Modern park homes are built to residential standards and are warm and cosy all year round. Double glazing, excellent insulation and central heating make sure that your park home is toasty even in the coldest months, whilst their energy efficiency credentials make them relatively cheap to run. Many park homes are also fitted with feature fireplaces for added comfort in the winter months.

Park homes can be great to live in. All on one level, they are convenient into advanced ages and easy to look after as well as being economical to maintain. Park homes are double glazed and centrally heated and come fully decorated and furnished, so they are ready to move into and enjoy, plus they are comfortable all year round. Safe and secure and amongst communities of like minded people they can make a very nice place to live.

Park homes are built in a factory before being transported to their final location. Constructed with a steel chassis and a timber frame with walls that are usually made from plasterboard and exterior cladding. During the construction insulation is added to the walls and floors and roof to ensure warmth and soundproofing. The roof is made of lightweight materials, attached to wooden joists.

Park homes typically are a depreciating asset but have many other benefits that might make them the right option for you. Typically cheaper than bricks and mortar properties, downsizing to a park home can free up funds from a house sale to give you a nest egg for retirement. A park home is also low cost to run as it represents a smaller space to heat and they are generally very energy efficient. Maintaining your park home well and its location will help protect the value of your park home, should you want to sell it on. Many of the benefits of park home living can not be measured in pounds and pennies, but may be of greater importance to you. As a residential park home owner you will be part of a friendly community and could have access to communal facilities that enhance your lifestyle. Residential parks are also usually secure places to live with elements such as gated entrances and CCTV giving you peace of mind.

Park homes are able to have solar panels installed on them but you are advised to buy the panels and install from a specialist provider who will be able to advise on the ideal weight of the panels and wind lift considerations.

Park homes are governed by a type of ownership known as Virtual Freehold, so they are neither leasehold or freehold. A virtual freehold means that you own the property that you buy but you lease the land that it sits on. You will need to ensure that the residential park that you choose has a residential licence and that you are provided with a written statement which entitles you to live in your park home as a permanent residence.

As park homes are sold with virtual freehold, meaning the owner of the property is only leasing the land it sits on, there is no title registered with the Land Registry. This means that you are unable to finance your purchase with a mortgage and there is no requirement to instruct a Solicitor, although you may prefer to do so to ensure that all the legal requirements are met.