Living on a residential caravan site

[cyclequeen]

Hello, We are thinking of moving to the above & selling our house so that we can afford to take semi retirement. I'm open to location, although I would love to live by the sea. Has anybody else escaped in this fashion? I'm a compete novice so where do I find out about sites, fees, types of caravans etc, this needs to be 12 month occupancy. I've searched the internet but this seems to be aimed at holiday sites, not what I want at all.

Thanking you in anticipation
Christine

[JoolsTwo]

There is a magazine called - Park Homes - WHSmithsell it or your local newsagent can order it for you. This is very good for information on these types of home. It also has a section with homes for sale and I think it has or will tell you where you can obtain a list of sites in England, Scotland and Wales.

It's a good idea to visit a few sites to get an idea of what they are like.

[thelewisgang]

we moved to a park home last year and are very happy. We have a beautiful home which is ideal for our needs and the garden we have is low maintenance. First and foremost is the park (site). there are many parks run by unscrupulous individuals!! always go to look at a park owned by one of the big organisations. Last year at the NEC, Birmingham there was a park home exhibition around this time of year so don't know if its on again this year. There are many websites that will point you in the right direction but as its late tonight I will post again tomorrow evening when I have the computer open. hope this first posting helps you a bit and will, as promised, post again.

[Ethel]

I looked in to doing exactly this a few years ago and was put off by the horror stories.

A mobile is a depreciating asset and site owners can have horrendous terms and conditions- when the home reaches a certain age it has to be replaced; you can't sell to anybody but the site owner; the site owner fixes the prices of utilities; fees go up above inflation...

I was shocked at how expensive they can be:
http://www.houseladder.co.uk/SearchEngine/Prop ertyDetailsForSale.aspx?PId=256773

The sites can have rules which you may find more than petty annoyance - when you can hang your washing out (if you can) for example. And committees to make and enforce the rules.

And lack of space. Fine if you are happy to get rid of a lot of your personal possessions - the stuff in your spare bedrooms, loft and shed.



Maybe things are much better now, but there have been some horror stories on quite recent 'Watchdog' type programmes.

[Ethel]

By the way, if you search 'residential mobile park home' you should find plenty of relevant links

[buildersmate]

As Ethel says, the critical thing is to establish what control you have over future costs. There are probably three main areas to check out.
1) The rate at which site fees may escalate - are they tied in the contract to a verfiable published index - like RPI for example. Otherwise the owner might change and the costs might rocket.
2) Any rules about replacing the caravan, who you can sell to, who you must buy from.
3) Any rules about who provides your utility supplies. On some of these sites, you do not have a contract directly with the electricity or water companies - you have to buy the commodity from the owner - he may charge a margin above cost and you cannot choose your supplier.

In short, a potential nightmare if you are not in some control of how these costs may charge in future.

[terambulan]

Friends owned similar in Kent and discovered occupation was only 9months p.a. For 3 months they had to live elsewhere. Something to do with Council rules of full occupancy.

They also complained of escalating costs.

[phylkat]

Forget all that. Too Risky.

Do what we did go for Equity Release, we did & released �40.000. If you're both 60 or over do it. you won't regret it.
Our kids pushed us into it They said enjoy the cash now you've worked for it we're not bothered about a smaller inheritance. Your Bank or BS will advise you.
You can move later if you want to the full value of your house & the Eq Rs will be transferred to your new addy.
Talk to your bank. you'll be glad you did.
There's nothing like bricks and morter. pk

[cyclequeen]

Hello Everyone

Thank you so much for all your replies, it's been very helpful. I'll look for the mag in WH Smith, can't find any exhibitions @ the NEC unfortuntaly, but I'll keep searching. Yes Ethel I agree some seem very expensive, this is going to take some serious thought as with the house prices coming down it may be better to look for a cheaper area & buy a house. We live in Oxfordshire so it's quite pricey. Looking forward to thelewisgangs further info.

Thanks again!!

[cyclequeen]

Just seen your message phyklat, we are a bit younger than that, 52 & 57 so I don't think we can do this. I keep telling my parents to do the same, but my dad won't unfortunatley. It may be that we do stick to a house & buy in a cheaper area, we still need to work hopefully only part time.

[rov1200]

We did this temporarily a couple of years ago. As was mentioned above the sites usually close down in Oct/Nov and do not reopen until Mar the following year, except for maintenance. Its a depreciating asset and some sites will not allow caravans more than 10 years old. Sometimes you have to buy the caravan from the site owners. Many bring their dogs and you may forever clearing up the mess.
Somebody we knew used their caravan as a dwelling and went to work elsewhere. Come the shutdown period they went abroad. It is big business nowadays and if it ever proved popular the site owners would increase their fees dramatically to meet rising demand.

[Jenga]

You are better off buying a small bungalow by the sea. Park homes depreciate in value whereas houses rise in value. Most park homes do not let you stay 100% of the year. You can get a cheap place in places like Kent, Hastings, Eastbourne and Devon

[thelewisgang]

hello again cyclequeen. I promised I would post again tonight. I disagree with several comments that have been made since last night but must stress that the importantance of moving to a park home is the organisation that owns the park.There are definitely some cowboys out there intent on making their own rules & regulations so do your homework well. I do not agree about lack of space as we moved from a three bedroom detached house & have a bigger lounge and kitchen here. I would also say to make sure any home you look at has loft space as a lot of them do not and storage of things you might not use very often could be a problem.....sure you will know what I mean if you have a loft where you live at the moment. As for depreciation we bought our home from a lady who had bought it new four years ago and she almost doubled her money. The price of park homes go up and down like the housing market does. Anyway, have a look at these sites which should help you. http://www.phraa.co.uk/
http://www.tingdene.co.uk/
http://www.britanniaparks.com/
http://www.omar.co.uk/
hope this information helps. all the best

[cyclequeen]

Well lewisgang you have definately given me plenty of info, many thanks.
I will investigate further as I hear all the other warning comments as well

Take care everyone!