More than 250,000 people live in park homes across the UK. It’s a popular lifestyle choice, especially for older residents who are looking to downsize. But there are many misconceptions about what a park home is and who can buy one. We’re here to set the record straight.
A park home is similar to a static caravan, but it’s designed in an aesthetically pleasing way and can have more features than a normal house. They’re built under strict workshop conditions and are then transported to the park on which they’ll sit, where it can be connected to services like electricity and drainage.
Buyers can choose to purchase a new or pre-owned park home. But it’s important to get a survey from an expert who specialises in park homes, as they can detect any potential problems that might not be apparent during a visual inspection. It’s also worth considering getting insurance to cover the cost of repairs, breakdown and any other expenses that may occur while you live in your park home.
It’s not uncommon to find parks that offer amenities like swimming pools and meeting rooms for residents. These facilities can help residents socialise and make friends with their neighbours. Some sites even operate more like a community, with a tight-knit network of residents.
Another benefit of living in a park home is that it can be cheaper to run than a conventional property. This is because park homes are typically more energy efficient and have a better insulating effect. This means that they’re more likely to be in the lowest council tax band.
A common myth is that park homes aren’t as sturdy as regular houses, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The modern units built today are constructed in accordance with the British Standard BS3632, and meet every standard of health and safety that is required for a permanent residence.
If you’re interested in buying a park home, it’s important to check the site’s licence to ensure that it’s approved for residential use. You’ll also want to be sure that the park is not classified as a holiday site, as this could have an impact on whether or not you can live there all year round.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the smaller size of park homes can take some time to get used to if you’re moving from a large bricks-and-mortar home. However, downsizing your living space is often a good idea to save money and reduce the amount of maintenance work that needs to be done.
