When you’re considering residential park home living, understanding your pitch agreement for park homes is one of the most important aspects of your decision. You want to know exactly what you’re committing to and how long your agreement will last. It’s a question we hear often from prospective homeowners, and rightly so – you’re making a significant investment in your future lifestyle.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about park home pitch agreements, from their typical duration to your legal protections. We’ll explain how these agreements work, what happens when you sell, and why they offer the security and peace of mind you’re looking for in your next home.
Key takeaways:
- Most pitch agreements are indefinite under UK law, providing long-term security for residential park home living
- The Mobile Homes Act 1983 protects your rights and regulates the relationship between you and the park owner
- Pitch agreements transfer automatically when you sell your home, with clear legal procedures in place
- Annual pitch fee reviews are regulated by law, giving you financial predictability
- You have significant legal protections that differ from traditional property leases
Understanding park home pitch agreements
A park home pitch agreement is the legal contract between you as the homeowner and us as the park owner. When you purchase a residential park home, you own the property itself, but you rent the plot (or “pitch”) where your home sits. This arrangement is different from buying a traditional house with land.
The agreement sets out both parties’ rights and responsibilities. It covers your pitch rental (known as the pitch fee), the park rules you’ll need to follow, and importantly, your rights as a homeowner. Think of it as the foundation of your relationship with the park – it provides clarity and security for everyone involved.
Your residential park home agreement is protected by the Mobile Homes Act 1983, which was updated in 2013 to give homeowners even stronger rights. This legislation regulates everything from how pitch fees can be increased to your ability to sell your home freely. It’s designed specifically to protect people like you who choose park home living.
The Written Statement is the formal document that contains all these terms. You’ll receive this at least 28 days before you commit to your purchase, giving you plenty of time to review and understand what park home ownership means. This isn’t just a formality – it’s your opportunity to ask questions and ensure you’re completely comfortable with the arrangement.
How long does a typical pitch agreement last?
Here’s the reassuring answer: your park home pitch agreement is typically indefinite. Under current UK legislation, most residential pitch agreements are “for life” or what’s known as in perpetuity. This means once you’ve purchased your park home and signed your agreement, you have the right to remain on that pitch for as long as you wish.
This pitch agreement duration provides exactly the kind of security you’re looking for when making this investment. Unlike traditional property leases that might run for 99 or 125 years, your park home agreement doesn’t have an expiry date. You’re not counting down the years until you need to renegotiate or worry about what happens when a lease runs out.
There are only specific circumstances under which your agreement can be terminated, and these are clearly defined by law. The park owner can only end your agreement if you breach the terms significantly – for example, by not paying your pitch fees or seriously violating park rules. Even then, there’s a formal legal process that must be followed, and you have the right to challenge any decision.
This structure differs significantly from traditional property leases and provides substantial benefits for those of you seeking long-term residential living. You’re not dealing with diminishing lease values or the costs associated with lease extensions. At Leedons Residential Park and Broadway Park, we’ve seen how this security allows our residents to truly settle in and become part of the community without worrying about their long-term housing situation.
What happens with pitch agreements when you sell your park home?
One of the most important features of your park home ownership agreement is how smoothly it transfers when you decide to sell. The pitch agreement automatically passes to the new owner – they essentially step into your shoes and take on the same rights and responsibilities you had.
When you sell your residential park home, you don’t need to seek our approval of the buyer. This changed with the Mobile Homes Act 2013, making it much easier for you to sell your home on the open market for its true value. However, you do need to notify us about the sale using specific legal forms that ensure all parties have the information they need.
The buyer will receive all the important documentation before they commit to the purchase, including a copy of the Written Statement and park rules. This transparency helps ensure they understand what they’re taking on. As the seller, you’ll pay 90% of the sale price to the buyer, who then pays the remaining 10% commission to us as the park owner within seven days.
We handle these transitions carefully at both Leedons and Broadway Park to maintain our community standards whilst respecting your right to sell freely. The approval process focuses on reasonable grounds – ensuring the buyer is over 50 (as required by our park rules) and will use the home as their main residence. We can’t unreasonably refuse a buyer, and the law is clear about what constitutes reasonable grounds.
Your pitch fee agreement continues at the same rate for the new owner initially, though it will be subject to the annual review process like all other homes on the park. This protects the investment value of your home because buyers know exactly what their ongoing costs will be.
Your rights and protections under a pitch agreement
Understanding your rights under a park home site agreement gives you the confidence to move forward with your purchase. You have security of tenure, meaning you can’t be asked to leave without proper legal grounds and process. This protection is fundamental to your peace of mind.
Your pitch fees are reviewed annually, but increases are strictly regulated by law. We must use a special form to notify you of any proposed increase and explain how it’s calculated. The review typically considers factors like inflation (usually the Retail Prices Index) and any improvements we’ve made to the park. Before we can increase your fees, we need either your agreement or a tribunal decision.
At Leedons and Broadway Park, we maintain open communication with all our homeowners about pitch fees. You’ll always understand your pitch agreement terms and how any changes are calculated. Currently, pitch fees are £246.58 per month at Leedons Residential and £193.77 at Broadway Park, giving you clear financial predictability for your budgeting.
If you ever have a dispute about your agreement, there are formal resolution processes available. The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) handles disputes between park home owners and site owners in England. This independent body can make binding decisions on issues like pitch fee increases or breaches of agreement terms.
You also have the right to peaceful enjoyment of your home, to make modifications (with written approval), and to have visitors. The park rules provide structure to community living, but they can’t unreasonably restrict your normal activities. Any rules that interfere with your ability to sell your home are banned under the 2013 Act.
These protections build trust and confidence for those of you who value transparency and reputation when making decisions. We’ve been managing parks since the 1980s as a family business, and we understand that your investment needs to be secure and worthwhile.
Conclusion
Your park home pitch agreement provides the security and clarity you need for confident decision-making. Here are the main points to remember:
- Pitch agreements are typically indefinite, giving you lifelong security in your home
- The Mobile Homes Act provides strong legal protections for your rights as a homeowner
- Agreements transfer smoothly when you sell, protecting your investment value
- Annual pitch fee reviews are transparent and regulated by law
- You have access to independent dispute resolution if needed
The park home pitch length and terms are designed to give you exactly what you’re looking for: a comfortable, low-maintenance lifestyle in a beautiful setting with the security of knowing your home is protected by law. Whether you’re considering Leedons Residential Park or Broadway Park, you can move forward knowing your agreement provides both flexibility and stability.
If you’d like to discuss pitch agreements in more detail or have specific questions about residential park home living, we’re here to help. Our team can walk you through the Written Statement, explain current pitch fees, and show you the homes and plots available. You can visit us at either park or get in touch through our website to start your journey towards peaceful countryside living.
Frequently asked questions
Can a park owner refuse to renew my pitch agreement?
Park home pitch agreements don’t need renewing because they’re indefinite. Your agreement continues for as long as you want to live there, provided you meet your obligations like paying pitch fees and following park rules. A park owner can only terminate your agreement through a legal process if you seriously breach the terms, and you have the right to challenge this at tribunal.
What happens to my pitch agreement if the park changes ownership?
Your pitch agreement remains valid and enforceable if the park is sold to a new owner. The new park owner must honour all existing agreements and can’t change the terms unilaterally. Your rights under the Mobile Homes Act continue regardless of who owns the park, providing continuity and security even during ownership transitions.
Are pitch agreements different for residential parks versus holiday parks?
Yes, there are significant differences. Residential park home agreements are protected by the Mobile Homes Act and are designed for permanent living, giving you indefinite tenure. Holiday park agreements are for leisure use only and typically involve seasonal occupancy with different legal protections. You can’t live permanently on a holiday park or use a holiday home as your main residence.
Can I pass my park home and pitch agreement to my children in my will?
Yes, your park home can be left to family members in your will, and the pitch agreement transfers with it. However, the person inheriting must meet the park’s eligibility requirements – they must be over 50 and intend to use it as their main residence. If they don’t meet these criteria or don’t want to live there, they can sell the home and the pitch agreement will transfer to the buyer.
How do pitch agreement terms compare to owning a leasehold property?
Pitch agreements differ significantly from leasehold arrangements. Whilst both involve owning the property but not the land, pitch agreements are typically indefinite rather than for a fixed term of years. You don’t face diminishing lease values or expensive lease extensions. However, you do pay an ongoing monthly pitch fee rather than ground rent, and this is reviewed annually. The Mobile Homes Act provides specific protections that differ from leasehold law, often giving park home owners more flexibility, particularly around selling their property.
