Buying a park home

lookstraightahead

To be honest it's less of a risk than a new build, and the walls are more sturdy

getmore4less

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

One thing which might be an issue is that in some cases you have to vacate the property for ? 2 weeks each year, and that clause can be buried with the very small print.

I discussed this once in an area we used to live
local B&B owners do a room only deal for the period they have to vacate the park.

The B&B owners goes on holiday.

PasturesNew

bbarroso wrote: »

.... average UK pitch fees by park. ....

bbarroso wrote: »

But as far as I understand on a flat I have to Pay council tax and ground rent on top of service charges, which pretty much makes them just as bad as site fees.

There is no such list; nobody has a vested interest in compiling and maintaining such a list.

On a residential park home you still pay council tax on top of site fees. In most instances site fees for a residential park are wholly in addition to all the usual bills.

Also, as you'll be on gas bottles, heating will be more expensive per unit than what you'd be paying for in a flat.

Electricity and water would be the same - although some parks might just bill you a flat rate per year from their central meter, so no chance of reducing your water bill by any means.

sal_III

bbarroso wrote: »

But as far as I understand on a flat I have to Pay council tax and ground rent on top of service charges, which pretty much makes them just as bad as site fees.

Even if I get a cheap flat, paying 200 a month for service charges on top of ground rent and council tax will probably cost me more than my mortgage and the flats are normally considerably more expensive that a used caravan (even tough they last considerably more), which means I would take at least 10 more years to recoup the investment, especially if I were to let at some point...

Again, just like caravan park pitch fees, it is very hard to get this information from estate agents, so I'm unsure how to take all the variables together to make an informed decision.

Doesn't look like you have researched the average cost of service charge + ground rent for flats. The number of £200 you quoted is on the upper side of the scale and includes ground rent. On average the number is around £100/m for ground rent+service charge. On small flat buildings - 4-12 you often won share of the freehold and can manage the amount with consensus with the other owners. Contrary to the popular belief the service charge is (in most cases) not some sort of a racket, part of it goes towards maintaining the communal areas and lifts, part of it goes to a sinking fund that goes towards building repairs etc. As a free holder you will still need some of these funds set a side for repairs, it's just not contractual obligation to do so, only prudence.

Council tax you will have to pay anywhere, even in some park homes, even if you are renting, so not sure where the problem lies.

Any EA should be able to tell you the service charge+ground rent cost fro a flat they are selling, have you tried asking, or simply jump to conclusions?

You are right a caravan/park home are cheaper than flat/house. Have you asked yourself why that is? I can tell you, generally the former is a depreciating asset, the latter is appreciating asset.

And what about small freehold house in a quiet location?

lincroft1710

LadyDee wrote: »

I live in a park home on one of the best parks in the South of England. If you want to PM me I will answer any questions I can.

Park Homes today in many respects rival bungalows. On well-managed, long established sites (like the one I live on) the homes are steadily increasing in value, and new homes can cost more than a traditional brick built house.

You are perfectly free to sell to who you like.

The site owner does not necessarily control utility prices, and in fact in our case, bulk billing means our water/sewerage and electricity is very cheap, and is metered to all homes, so you pay for what you use. Gas is individually metered. Even the very expensive homes (the newest has just been sited at a price approaching half a million) are only Council Tax Band A. So outgoings are low. Site fees cover maintenance of all of the infrastructure, all the roads, common gardens, the trees are protected, and there are just enough rules to ensure that it is a quiet and peaceful place to live, with all neighbours looking out for each other.

New homes are built to a very high standard of insulation and energy conservation. There is a community centre with a huge variety of clubs, groups, activities, etc. etc. generally organised by the residents committee.

My home is currently on the market and I am looking to move (after 18 years) to an identical set-up nearer my daughter. I wouldn't consider any other way of life now.

At last!

Someone who knows that park homes are different from "caravans" and can explain park home living succinctly and honestly.

LadyDee

PasturesNew wrote: »

There is no such list; nobody has a vested interest in compiling and maintaining such a list.

On a residential park home you still pay council tax on top of site fees. In most instances site fees for a residential park are wholly in addition to all the usual bills.

Also, as you'll be on gas bottles, heating will be more expensive per unit than what you'd be paying for in a flat.

Electricity and water would be the same - although some parks might just bill you a flat rate per year from their central meter, so no chance of reducing your water bill by any means.

You really should be sure of your facts before posting what, mostly, is totally incorrect.

PasturesNew

LadyDee wrote: »

You really should be sure of your facts before posting what, mostly, is totally incorrect.

It'd have helped if you'd said which bits were incorrect.

Just saying "you're wrong" helps nobody.

I was basing my post on my own experiences of living in one - and, as we all know, they're all different.

Biggirlnow

I also live in a park home.
There is so much miss information about them.
I live on a lovely well kept site.
My home is modern well insulated and very similar to a bungalow.
The whole site is on mains gas and electricity the same as a house.
I pay a small weekly site fee which includes my water rates.
The site is a similar set up as a gated community. Only one entrance and exit. We all know our neighbors and strangers here are rare. So its a very safe place to live.
It is a Private residential site. So I can live here all year.
Please ignore all the negative posts and do your own research.
Google park homes on residential sites.
They are cheap to live in as they are so easy to heat.
They are all in the lowest council tax bracket.
After living here for eight years I would never want to go back to bricks and mortar.

Hoploz

I think the idea has legs. You just need to be ok with investing your money in an asset that is going to decrease in value whereas traditional bricks and mortar will increase. But if you have no dependants, nobody to leave it to after you go, go ahead!

It seems to me you need to locate some parks in the area of interest and actually ask the specific questions, as it may vary from place to place. Some will be for over-55's for example, others may be mainly for holidays and are not allowed to be your main address. Research your local parks and get the info. Good luck.

LadyDee

PasturesNew wrote: »

It'd have helped if you'd said which bits were incorrect.

Just saying "you're wrong" helps nobody.

I was basing my post on my own experiences of living in one - and, as we all know, they're all different.

Read the posts by people who actually live on well-run Park Home estates, not caravan parks, holiday parks or gypsy sites.