What is a Park Home?

A park home is first and foremost a home, whether it’s going to be used as a holiday retreat or a place of residence.

A slightly more formal definition might describe a park home as a detached, single-storey, prefabricated residence on a rented plot of land within a privately-owned park.

The maximum dimensions for a park home are as follows:

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

Park homes are covered by The Mobile Homes Act 1983; however, once yours arrives on the site, it’s probably there to stay. Your property is connected to drainage just as with any other home, and, in many cases, you can add a garage or create a garden.

Although you will own your park home, you will still need to pay land rent for a fixed period. You will need to speak to the park owner to find out the length of the lease before choosing the location.

What materials make a park home?

One big difference between park homes and traditional houses is that they are built in a factory and transported to the site, rather than constructed on the spot. Does that mean a park home is less robust and weatherproof than bricks and mortar? Quite the opposite.

Today’s park homes have a sturdy, precision-engineered timber frame mounted on a rock-solid, corrosion-protected steel chassis. We generally build Willerby park homes and lodges to BS3632 (2015) – the British Standard to which residential park homes (and some lodges) are built. They are suitable for permanent residence (depending on the site licence), and all year-round use.

We also craft park homes using the unique Oslo Wall System™, which is just as robust and practical as plasterboard. This means you can redecorate or rehang pictures, mirrors, and TVs as often as you like.

Expect luxury

The differences between a park home and a conventionally-built bungalow may sound dramatic, but it’s the similarities you’ll start to notice as soon as you walk inside.

You’ll find a light, spacious living space replete with modern features. Many park homes come ready-furnished to a very high standard, but if you prefer an unfurnished design, that’s also fine.

They typically have one, two, three or even four bedrooms, often with an en suite bathroom. There’s also plenty of space for a study or hobby room. You’ll be pleased to hear that we fit an ultra-modern kitchen as standard.

Lower running costs

A park home typically costs a lot less to buy and run than a conventional property.

Utility bills are minimal, too. Most park homeowners pay the park landlord for their electricity, gas and water, but rules are in place to keep utility costs reasonable. Laws prevent site owners from marking up the energy supplied to residents, and they are only allowed to charge a small admin fee for the water supply.

You will also find our walls are 20 percent more thermally efficient than plasterboard, providing world-class acoustic insulation and fire protection. We build all our park homes with the latest economy and energy efficiency standards in mind, so that you can keep bills down.

It’s estimated that an average Willerby park home using mains gas costs £1.37 per day to run, whereas a typical 1960s-built bungalow costs £2.65 a day.

Can you live in a park home all year round?

In terms of construction, comfort and weather resistance, there’s nothing to stop your Willerby park home from being your all-year-round place of residence.

The thermal protection of the advanced wall system is supported by high-quality double glazing and energy-efficient central heating, so staying cosy in winter is easy.

However, you must find out whether or not you are allowed to live in your chosen park 365 days a year. Some parks have a holidays-only licence, while others are fully residential or have a mix of both. You need to have written confirmation that your chosen site is for residential use before signing or paying anything.

As with any major purchase, doing your research and getting expert advice is vital beforehand. You’ll find a wealth of information about your rights as a park home buyer and owner under The Mobile Homes Act 1983 on this government website.

How long can you live in a park home?

The estimated lifespan of a park home is around 80 years, but a well-maintained one can last a lot longer. The lease will govern your length of stay on the plot as well as the lifespan of the home itself.

There may be situations where you want to move your home to a new location or enjoy different scenery. In which case, park homes can be relocated, but this would depend on the location and transport needed.

Park homes vs static caravans

If you’re considering a home on a holiday park, you’re probably deciding between a static caravan and a park home or lodge. So, what’s the difference?

Static caravans are typically half the width of a park home (maximum just over 4.2 metres or 14 feet), so they feel less spacious - and that’s reflected in the lower price.

Here are a few other key differences between park homes and static caravans:

Static caravans tend to only be suitable for holidays and access is sometimes seasonal.
Unlike park homes that are completely bespoke, static caravans are designed from a set list of features.
Buy a park home and you have the option of redecorating as many times as you like. Static caravans, in contrast, have limitations.

Buying and selling is different for park homes

Mortgages are not available for park homes. When you come to sell, it’s important to be aware that, under the Mobile Homes Act 1983, the site owner is entitled to a commission of no more than ten per cent of the sale price.

Make it yours with Willerby Bespoke

Park homes are growing in demand. More than a quarter of a million people in the UK reside in one. They are often the first choice for older people who downsize after retirement, but many younger people and families choose them as a convenient holiday retreat, too.

Perhaps the best reason for choosing a park home is the freedom to have it designed, built and fitted out to your exact specification. Every Willerby park home is made to order and styled by our design team.

From the layout and room sizes to the colour schemes and fixtures, the Willerby Bespoke team will guide you through every step of the process. We’re here to make sure that every detail and finishing touch is precisely the way you want it.