A park home is a permanent, single-storey residential property sited on a purpose-built residential park under its own site licence, rather than on land you own outright. Most Gloucestershire parks are designed for the over-50s or over-55s, with homes ranging from compact one-bedroom properties to larger two and three-bedroom designs.
Gloucestershire's residential parks are concentrated around Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury, giving easy access to market towns, the Cotswolds and the M5. Many residents are drawn by the combination of countryside surroundings and being close enough to family, shops and healthcare.
Before buying, ask to see the park's site licence, the written agreement and the current pitch fee, and check whether the park has any age restrictions. It's also worth understanding how pitch fees are reviewed each year, since this is a recurring cost on top of the purchase price.
Standard mortgages don't apply to park homes because you own the building but not the land it sits on. Many buyers use a specialist park home loan or savings instead, so it's worth comparing lenders who specifically offer finance for this type of purchase.
Many residential parks in Gloucestershire operate an over-50s or over-55s age restriction for at least one resident in the household, though this varies by park. Always check the specific age policy for a park before making an offer.
Pitch fees are charged separately from the purchase price and usually reviewed annually, often in line with CPI. They typically cover ground rent and upkeep of communal areas, so ask for the current fee and its review history before buying.
Park homes must be sold privately, not through the park itself, though the site owner may occasionally buy it back. The site owner is usually entitled to a resale commission, commonly around 10% of the sale price, as set out in the written agreement.
This varies by park and by home, but typically includes the property itself, its plot, and connection to mains services. Always get a written breakdown from the park of exactly what's included in the price and what counts as an optional extra.