Park Home Living

[carolminniemouse]

I'm downsizing and thinking that a park home might be a good idea - am I just being drawn in by the images of sunny days, matching soft furnishings and meeting likeminded over 55's? Do any of the answerbank contributors live like this - what are the downfalls, if any? Appreciate your time, I'm on my own here and feel out of my depth a little.

[Purist]

I know a couple who live in a park home in wales, the biggest downside for them is they have to leave the home in November and come back in march every year, I don't know if this is solely because they live on a caravan site with leisure facilities (like a haven site)

They stop with relatives but it seems like a real headache every year.

[gulliver1]

You only own the home, Not the land it stands on . the site owner makes the rules and fixes the rent you have to pay to him to put your house on his land, It can become a nightmare. Been there , never again.

[Barmaid]

Purist that site will only be licensed for seasonal use. There are many permanent sites tho.

As Gulliver has pointed out there is the ownership issue. Selling one can also be tricky.

[Rosie29]

I think that there are only one or two firms willing to insure these properties.

[DarceyK123]

Be very careful Carol, the land owner can charge whatever he likes, so if example, he decided to ask a silly fee then you will just have to pay it.

It's very difficult to get off these sites as they are hard to sell so if you don't like it your stuck more or less.

There are quite a few 'proper' complexes for the over 55s if you know what I mean with flats or bungalows so I would look into those if I were you, they may be a little more expensive but worth it, good luck.

[woofgang]

I used to visit park home sites as part of my job.....I wouldn't do it.

[Jackdaw33]

Another thing is that as far as I am aware the postmen will not deliver to such sites so you would have to make other arrangements for mail collection.

[woofgang]

Jackdaw post does get delivered on these sites, although obviously I don't know about all sites or areas.

[pauln90]

There is a park home site near me and they charge a monthly pitch fee of £125-£205 depending on size of plot. Plus don't forget Council tax,gas,electric and water etc so not really a cheap option

[ethandron]

There seems to be some confusion between Park homes and static caravans.
Park homes are residential, 365 days a year, you don’t have to leave them at all.
Static caravans are holiday homes, and most holiday home sites close on 30th October and reopen on 1st March (some vary and only close for a month, it depends on their licence). You can stay in your caravan for the entire time the site is open if you wish, but you have, by law, to vacate when the site closes.
Post will be delivered to individual park homes, just like any other permanent address, but static caravan sites usually have an office where all post is delivered to and owners of statics go there to collect their post.
As to whether or not park homes are a good idea, it really depends on a number of things. And most especially doing your homework about all costs involved. Most park home sites are totally legitimate, some aren’t.

[Ryzen]

Carol....think long and hard. As said many pitfalls await. They may seem cheap compared to bricks and mortar..for very valid reasons.If you buy a used unit there may be a life limit on the site,meaning that you must upgrade or get out. You could look at the over 55's units by Mcarthy and Stone ect,but again do some homework.My aunt paid a considerable sum 10 years ago and its now worth less as a used unit.

[Tilly2]

There are lots of retirement complexes about now. Do a bit of searching and see how it goes.

[gulliver1]

Carol do not go there , put the thought right out of your head ,Pronto.