What is a Park Home and How Does it Differ from a Bungalow?

There can be confusion when it comes to distinguishing between conventional residential bungalows and park homes. Whilst some aspects cross over and are the same, others are completely different. In this article, we look at the definition of a park home, the differences between the construction of a park home and the differences between a park home and a bungalow.

LOOKING FOR A RESIDENTIAL PARK HOME?

What is a Park Home?

A park home (mobile home) is a detached pre-fabricated home (bungalow-style) that is set up in a private estate (mostly gated), where they are positioned on plots also referred to as ‘pitches’. A park home must be movable in one or two pieces, whether on wheels or by being transported by another vehicle. Park homes sizes should not exceed;

• 20 metres (65 feet) in length
• 6.8 metres (22 feet) wide.
• 3.05 metres (just over 10 feet) internal floor-to-ceiling height.

What is the Difference Between a Park Home and a Bungalow?

There are a number of differences between the two. Unlike bungalows, park homes are;

• Neither freehold nor leasehold (According to the Mobile Homes Act 2013).
• They are not registered on the Land Registry therefore there is no conveyancing necessary.
• You can sell without probate
• They aren’t mortgageable
• The build is non-standard construction (up to BS3632 Standard)
• It has its own set of legislation
• Park homes are set on private estates

Below we delve further into these points.

Park Home Legislation

Park homes can be referred to as ‘Mobile Homes’ in law and do include protection for the park homeowner. Some of this legislation is covered in the following three Acts of Parliament;

• Mobile Homes Act 1983
• Housing Act 2004
• Mobile Homes Act 2013

Park homeowners have both rights and obligations which are covered under the Written Agreement with the park owner or park operator. The park agreement will cover;

• Your minimum legal rights and obligations (like your right to keep your park home on its pitch)
• Rules
• Charges
• Services

You have 28 days to review it before signing. For further details of your rights and obligations, see the Government website for further details.

Park Home Construction

Park homes placed on a UK residential park, are constructed off-site in a specialist factory or workshop. They are required to meet the British Standard. Park homes or permanent residence mobile homes are required to hold the residential British Standard (BS3632). Park homes themselves are constructed using a timber frame. Then a man-made exterior finish is attached with provides an attractive yet weatherproof exterior. Read our article on how mobile homes are made.

Park homes are pretty much the same thing as every type of property, as they are designed for permanent living. Just like regular homes, park homes feature such as central heating and have proper insulation, energy-efficient boilers and double glazing amongst other standard property fittings and features. Modern mobile homes are built to be more energy-efficient and in compliance with eco-friendliness.

Park homes are hard to tell apart from traditional bungalows, except in some aspects relating to their design. To a layperson, a park home looks just like every other property that they have lived in. As far as maintenance is concerned, park homes are low cost. This leaves you with more money to invest in other things.

Flexibility

Park homes are extremely flexible, giving owners a wide option of design, size, and layout to choose from. Like most bungalows, you will usually find park homes with one to three bedrooms, in some cases, an ensuite, a sitting room, a dining area, kitchens and bathrooms with standard fittings. Most park home designs have additional areas like gardens and large parking spaces; some even have garages incorporated in their design.

The great thing about mobile homes is that you can purchase them fully furnished, but you can opt for a partly furnished or an unfurnished unit. A fully furnished park home will usually include both fitted and loose furniture, a full range of property appliances, wall to wall carpets and many more. A park home is basically ‘plug and play’, and ready to go with services such as electricity, water, gas, telephone, sewers, and drains.

What Does It Mean To Live In A Park Home?

Of course, it is possible to live full-time in a park home as it is with a bungalow, having it as your permanent residence. Many people prefer this over living in a traditional brick-built home. Park home living generally is a more secure environment. Not only due to the park having its own security but because there is a community that is peaceful and often like-minded. It is a popular option for people in their senior years, which choose to downsize and enjoy the financial profits of their bricks and mortar home.

It can also provide a real community feel for those who may not get around as much due to old age, and there can be activities organised by the residents which can bring everyone together. However, UK park homes are not strictly for the elderly. They may also attract the middle-aged who chooses to have as their permanent residence.

There is little difference in appearance between mobile homes and a bungalow. Both are designed in an aesthetically pleasing way.

They can be found in modern designs or more period styles. They also can feature any extras from small patios to full gardens, along with parking and any other features that may be desired. Inside a park home, it is even more difficult to tell the difference between this and a bungalow. This is as they are fitted with carpets or wooden flooring throughout. This alongside additional beautiful furnishings and all the mod cons you would expect. But while there is little difference in how they look, there is in the way in which they are built.

Park homes placed on a UK residential park, are constructed off-site in a specialist factory or workshop. They are required to meet the British Standard. Park homes or permanent residence mobile homes are required to hold the residential British Standard (BS3632). Park homes themselves are constructed using a timber frame. Then a man-made exterior finish is attached with provides an attractive yet weatherproof exterior.

Are They Cheaper Than Conventional Bungalows?

Often, park homes are cheaper to buy than conventional homes. However, it does depend on factors including the type of properties you are comparing, the size, and location. Some companies do offer finance options, like Pegasus Finance. However, the majority of purchases are cash.

After the initial purchase of the park home, the next greatest expense is the site fees. These you pay to have your home on the plot of land in the park. There may also be service charges too, like for sewage. On top of this, are the usual utility bills and council tax (usually Band A), and again these tend to be a lot cheaper than in a conventional property. The most substantial difference in monthly running costs will be noticed by those people who downsize from large brick and mortar property.

Pros And Cons Of Park Homes

Like with most things in life, there will always be positives and negatives, but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives when it comes to park homes. Now we are going to discuss some of the pros and cons of mobile homes and park home living.

Pros: 

Park homes are economical. Because they are built in factories, manufacturers do not need to invest a lot of time and money. The construction process is easier to manage and replicate. The flexibility of these designs also ensures that the extensive construction processes associated with building other types of property are minimal.  In addition to the fact that mobile homes are usually small and compact in size – they are way more affordable and low maintenance when compared to other types of larger structures.

They make the perfect retirement home that you gift yourself, especially if you were unable to save as extensively as you had planned for. They are also great if you have made the decision to move to a new property that is more exciting than the one you currently living in. whichever way you choose to look at it, park homes offer an economical appeal that many find irresistible.

Cons:

You may not appreciate the smaller space. Mobile homes are generally smaller than other types of houses, so it could be a downgrade in terms of size when compared to your current home. The exception is if you are already used to living in small homes – if this is your current situation, then you should consider having your own unit. But if you are have spent most of your life living in large spaces with large rooms, sitting rooms, and kitchen, large storage areas, it might take a lot of thinking and consideration to settle for a park home. If you eventually do make the decision to move to a home, you might need to let go of some of your belongings – you can choose to give them away to family and friends or just sell them off.

 Pro:

Larger homes require more effort in maintenance, which could be expensive. Park homes offer an opportunity to downsize your living space if that is something that you really want to achieve. The size of a park home can be both a positive and a negative. This depends on preference or changes you are willing to make to achieve a different lifestyle. Just as we have mentioned above, park homes can take some time adjusting to. Moving from a larger space to a smaller one may need some time to get used to. Managing a smaller space and making the most of it at the same time. 

Space

Looking at things from another perspective, you will have a smaller space to clean, power, heat, and decorate. Think about all those light bulbs and power-consuming appliances that you will live without while saving on your electricity bill. Due to the flexibility of designs and layout, buyers have a lot of options to consider.  Park home manufacturers usually have the input of the buyers. Buyers will be able to choose the type of rooms or spaces wanted to be added to the home. You will be able to design the perfect home that meets your needs and add all the extra details that you would have loved to have in your current home. 

 Con:

One of the biggest downsides is while the property belongs to you, the land remains the property of the park.  This could be a major turn off because many people may struggle with the idea that land is not part of the bargain. This is one aspect where owning real estate is different from owning a mobile home. This agreement is one of the main reasons why park homes are more affordable. This can be beneficial on one hand because the land does not belong to the park homeowner. Individuals who are traditional and are used to the idea of land ownership will definitely be a little bit hesitant.

Pro:

There are some myths about park homes. One popular myth is that park homes are fragile. This is borne out of the fact that park homes aren’t built like regular houses. They is also because they are built in factories. But in truth, mobile homes are well-built and meet every standard in terms of safety and health. The modern units built today feature improvements that place them on par with regular homes built using standard construction processes. Park homes are solidly built with little visual difference from the traditional brick built property.

Overall…

Some of the main differences between mobile homes and bungalows;

• Mobile homes are fabricated off-site and then transported to the location
• Residential nobile homes are constructed to meet British Standards
• Mobile Homes usually, automatically, are in the lowest band for council tax
• Mobile homes are in a secure environment
• Conditions apply when selling or passing on the home to family
• Park homeowners must abide by the rules and regulations in ‘The Written Statement’

While there are significant differences between a park home and a bungalow, both have advantages and disadvantages. You should find this article useful for weighing up information. Furthermore, you can contact Sell My Group for further advice.