A complete guide to site fees for residential park homes

 

Moving to a residential site can be an exciting opportunity to live in a beautiful location and enjoy a lower-maintenance lifestyle. But getting your head around site fees for residential park homes can be confusing when you’re new to it all.

How much are site fees, how do they work, and what exactly do they cover? These are just a few of the questions that regularly crop up among park home newbies.

In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about site fees for residential park homes in the UK so you can focus on finding your ideal property and settling into your new life.

 

What are park home site fees?

Before we get into the ins and outs in more detail, let’s look at what park home site fees actually are.

Site fees are recurring charges that park home residents must pay to the park owner in exchange for housing their property on their land.

Think of it like a traditional leasehold property. These fees are similar to the ground rent homeowners pay the freeholder if their property is leasehold.

 

What do site fees cover?

Park home site fees cover the various services and amenities the park provides, such as the maintenance of communal areas, access to on-site facilities and, in some cases, utilities such as water or sewage.

In addition to this, site fees can also often include the cost of street lighting, waste management and disposal services, general landscaping, and even 24-hour security. These services combine to help maintain the park’s appearance and general functionality, contributing to a safe and peaceful living environment for residents.

 

How much are site fees for residential park homes?

Park home site fees in the UK can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• your site location
• the size, type, and spec of park home you have
• your park facilities and amenities
• the inclusion of utilities and services

That said, fees typically range between £150-£500 per month, which can equate to around £1,800-£6,000 annually. However, your fees could well be more or less than this depending on the factors outlined above.

Some parks offer all-inclusive pitch fees that cover utilities such as water, energy, and sewage.

This can help simplify your budgeting, as you’ll have a clearer picture of your monthly expenses, but it’s worth looking at your options before going for a deal like this.

It’s also important to carefully review the terms of your agreement with the park owner before signing anything, ensuring you understand what is and isn’t covered by the fees.

You’ll typically be responsible for arranging and paying for utilities separately if they aren’t included.

Remember, park home site fees can also increase on an annual basis. They are usually calculated in line with inflation, along with the cost of any agreed park improvements or maintenance that has taken place. However, the park owner must give you 28 days’ written notice if your site fees are changing.

 

An example of residential park home site fees

Here’s a quick example of two different locations to show how much site fees can vary.

At Cosawes Park, a residential site based in Truro (Cornwall), the fees are as follows*:

You can pay annually, quarterly, monthly, or weekly, which isn’t often the case.

Water, sewage, and electricity costs are paid directly to the park and are set at a fixed rate. However, the cost of heating oil is variable.

Let’s compare this to Red Deer Village, another residential site based in Glasgow.

Here, residents can choose their own energy suppliers, and the cost of mains water is included in the council tax (Band A). There’s also the option to pay site fees either in monthly instalments or in an annual lump sum.

These site fees typically vary based on the type of park home you have, but are normally in the region of £150-£240 a month.

As you can see, the site fees at both of these parks differ hugely. However, each site has a different system in place regarding energy bills, and they’re set in completely different locations (and countries!)

These examples demonstrate just how important it is to research each site individually before making any decisions regarding your park home.

 

How often do you pay park home site fees?

Site fees for residential park homes in the UK are usually paid monthly. The instalments you pay will be shown on your agreement documentation and are typically paid each month for the month to come.

However, some park owners may charge an annual or quarterly site fee instead, so always research this before entering into an agreement.

 

Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act 2023

The Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act came into force on 2 July 2023 and changed how site fees for residential park homes are calculated in the UK.

The changes meant that the inflationary index used in annual pitch fee reviews must be CPI (consumer price index) rather than RPI (retail price index). This is good news for residents, as RPI inflation is typically higher than the former.

As part of the act, site owners are also not allowed to pass on any loss of income to residents. Instead, they must fill out an official pitch fee review form demonstrating how any increases have been calculated, giving full transparency to park home owners.

If you spot that your site owner has included an amount representing a loss of income, you do not have to pay this and can continue paying your current pitch fee. Cases like this can even be taken to a First-Tier Tribunal.

 

Park home site fees FAQs

 

Are park home site fees worth it?

While site fees are an ongoing cost, many residents consider them good value when compared to the hidden costs of traditional homeownership.

When you factor in the cost of things like private garden upkeep, repairs to driveways or communal infrastructure, and access to on-site amenities like clubhouses or green spaces, site fees can actually work out cheaper, especially for those looking for a low-hassle lifestyle.

 

Can I negotiate park home site fees?

Site fees are usually set by the park owner and are not negotiable on an individual basis, especially in well-established parks. However, the fee amounts can vary between plots depending on size, location, or what’s included in your agreement. It’s always worth asking for a full breakdown so you can understand what you’re paying for.

 

Do site fees include council tax?

No, park home site fees and council tax are separate. Most residential park homes fall under Council Tax Band A, which is typically the lowest band, but you’ll still need to pay it directly to your local authority.

 

What happens if I fall behind on my site fee payments?

Falling behind on your fees can lead to late payment charges and even legal action in more serious cases. If you’re struggling to keep up with your payments, it’s important to communicate this with the park owner, as they may be able to work with you to set up a payment plan.

 

Are site fees the same for all residents in the same park?

Not necessarily. While some parks apply a standard fee across all homes, others may vary their fees based on plot size, location within the park, or the terms of your agreement. Newer agreements may include different rates or services compared to older ones, too.

 

*All information correct as of September 2025.

 

Specialist park home insurance through Ripe

Now you’re more clued up on site fees for residential park homes, you may want to consider protecting your park home investment with specialist insurance.

At Ripe, we arrange specialist park home insurance that can cover your property, including fixtures and fittings, up to the value of £500,000 and your contents up to the value of £75,000. The cover can also be built around your requirements, so you’ll never pay for cover you don’t need.

Get a quote online today.