Park Home Buying Considerations

WHEN CONSIDERING BUYING A PARK HOME
On all BH&HPA and/or NPHC member parks, you have the right to employ an independent surveyor to have the park home surveyed. You should make sure the surveyor you use has experience of park homes.

On all BH&HPA and/or NPHC member parks, you have the right and are encouraged to tour the park unaccompanied and to meet and talk to existing home owners.

You should enquire from the trade associations, whether or not the park is in BH&HPA and/or NPHC membership and whether, therefore, this Charter automatically applies should you proceed with your purchase. Failing that you should ask if the Charter applies.

WHEN YOU DECIDE TO BUY A PARK HOME FROM THE PARK OWNER
You have the right to take independent advice on your purchase and the documents offered should you wish to do so.

Before any final commitment is made, park owners in BH&HPA and/or NPHC membership will give the purchaser an information package to take away to help with the decision making process. This will include:

A copy of the written statement complying with the Mobile Homes Act 1983 between the home owner and the park owner, to study before you make a commitment. You will find that the agreement normally consists of four separate parts numbered (i) to (iv). [HB6]
You should make sure that you fully understand and are satisfied with the Agreement and especially the provisions of part IV (known as the Express Terms) which are individual to the park concerned. See the section below "Your Agreement".
A copy of the park rules which help with the good management of the park and safeguard home owners' interests.
A copy of Housing Booklet, 'Mobile Homes - A Guide for Residents and Site Owners', produced by the Department of the Environment Transport & the Regions and a copy of the Charter. [HB]

The park owner in BH&HPA and/or NPHC membership will be pleased to answer your questions and will endeavour to provide any information you require. In any event, the park owner should explain:

The total cost of buying the home fully sited on the park, in writing. A breakdown for insurance purposes shall be given on request.
The amount of pitch fee to be charged, how and when it is reviewed. [HB15] all other services provided by the park owner such as water, sewerage, gas, electricity standing charges.
Any Park Rules or special provisions (e.g. that it is a retirement park or requirements regarding pets and animals).
The Local Authority issues a Site Licence to the park owner. All BH&HPA and NPHC member park owners must display a copy of their site licence and attached conditions, which shall also be made available on request.

This licence requires the park owner to observe a number of standards which apply to the park, relating for example to health and safety including fire safety, electrical installations, water supply, sanitation, refuse disposal, the spacing between homes, sheds, porches and parking arrangements. If you have any concerns regarding the site licence, you should discuss these with the park owner.

Park owners in BH&HPA and/or NPHC membership will draw your attention to the park owner's entitlement to a transfer fee (commission) if you sell your home and assign the agreement on the park. The rate for this transfer fee will not exceed such rate as may be specified by an order made by the Secretary of State, currently 10%. [HB12]

You should check that the home complies with the park's site licence conditions. If it does not, the park owner may be able to offer advice on this subject.

Park owner members of the BH&HPA and/or NPHC shall ensure that two originals of the agreement (known as the Written Statement under the Mobile Homes Act 1983), are prepared, one for the home owner to keep and the other for the park owner. The park owner and the resident should sign each copy, and their signatures should be countersigned by a witness.

WHEN YOU DECIDE TO BUY FROM AN EXISTING HOME OWNER ON THE PARK
When you buy from an existing home owner on the park, the agreement with the park owner must be transferred to you without alteration to its terms and conditions. You will not be entitled to a new or different agreement. Therefore, you should make sure you understand the terms of the agreement which set out the rights and responsibilities you are taking on as a home owner including the current pitch fee that applies to that agreement.

The park owner's consent shall be required for you to purchase from the existing home owner. The park owner can only refuse if he has reasonable grounds to do so and puts them in writing. You should try to meet with the park owner or his representative to make sure you understand all the issues concerned with the park home purchase. Read through the section above "When you decide to buy a park home from the park owner" so that you know the questions to ask. [HB12]

If you are considering the purchase of an old park home, the park owner in BH&HPA and/or NPHC membership will advise you in writing of any possible issues that might limit your security of tenure. Your agreement could be brought to an end if a Court is satisfied that the home is having a detrimental effect on the park. The section of the Charter headed "Bringing the Agreement to an End" contains further advice.

If you are in any doubt at all about the purchase, take independant legal advice and do not proceed until you are satisfied.

Park Home Owners

The Park Homes Charter

Park Home Buying Considerations