If you love exploring the world but you’re considering residential park home living, you might be wondering about your options when you’re away. Can you sublet a park home while you’re travelling? It’s a practical question, particularly if you’re planning extended trips or seasonal getaways. Let’s walk through what you need to know about park home subletting and the alternatives available to you.
Key takeaways:
- Subletting residential park homes is strictly prohibited under park home ownership rules
- These restrictions protect community cohesion, security, and property values
- Practical alternatives exist for frequent travellers, including security systems and neighbour arrangements
- Park home living can still work brilliantly for those who love to travel with proper planning
Understanding park home subletting rules and regulations
The short answer is no – you cannot sublet a residential park home. This isn’t just a park policy; it’s a fundamental requirement of park home ownership rules.
Under the Mobile Homes Act 1983, residential park homes must be used as your only or main place of residence. The Written Statement you receive when purchasing your home clearly states that subletting is strictly forbidden. This applies whether you’re considering short-term holiday lets or longer-term rental arrangements.
Why is this different from owning a traditional house? When you purchase a residential park home, you own the home itself but rent the pitch (plot) from the site owner. The agreement you sign is specifically for your personal occupancy. Allowing someone else to live there would breach this agreement and could result in serious consequences, including potential legal action.
It’s worth noting that holiday parks operate under different rules. However, if you’re looking at residential parks like Leedons Residential Park or Broadway Park, these are designed for permanent living with the over-50s age restriction and community focus that makes them special.
Why subletting restrictions exist in residential park communities
You might wonder why park home rental rules are so strict. The restrictions aren’t arbitrary – they serve important purposes that actually protect you and your investment.
Community cohesion is at the heart of residential park living. When you know your neighbours, you build trust and friendships. Temporary occupants don’t have the same investment in the community, which can disrupt the welcoming atmosphere that makes park home living so appealing. Think about it – would you feel as comfortable leaving your home for a few weeks if you didn’t know who was living next door?
Security concerns are another significant factor. Residential parks often have manager and resident staff available year-round, but they can only effectively maintain security when they know who should be on site. Unknown temporary occupants create complications for security protocols and community safety.
Property values also benefit from these restrictions. When every homeowner is genuinely invested in the community and maintaining their property, it protects everyone’s investment. Rental properties, by their nature, often receive less careful maintenance than owner-occupied homes.
These residential park home regulations ultimately give you peace of mind. You’ve invested in a community where everyone has made the same commitment to quality living, and that’s worth protecting.
Practical alternatives for frequent travellers with park homes
Just because you can’t sublet doesn’t mean park home ownership is incompatible with your travel plans. Many of our owners travel extensively, and they’ve found brilliant solutions that work within the rules.
Trusted neighbour arrangements are incredibly popular. Your neighbours can keep an eye on your property, collect post, and alert you to any issues. This informal community support is one of the joys of park home living. Many owners exchange keys with trusted friends on the park, creating mutual support networks.
Modern home security systems give you real-time peace of mind wherever you are in the world. Smart cameras, alarm systems, and even devices that control lighting remotely help you monitor your property from your phone. You can check in anytime and even give the impression someone’s home.
Our management team provides another layer of reassurance. With staff present across our parks, there’s always someone keeping watch. You can let the office know when you’ll be away, and they’ll keep an extra eye on your property during their regular rounds.
Insurance considerations matter too. Make sure your policy covers extended absences and understand any requirements about property checks. Most insurers are happy as long as reasonable precautions are in place.
Some owners embrace seasonal living patterns – spending winters somewhere warmer, for instance. Your park home remains your main residence (satisfying the legal requirement), but you’re free to travel as much as you like. There’s no minimum time you must spend at the property.
How we support owners who love to travel
At Arden Parks, we completely understand that an active lifestyle doesn’t stop when you move into a park home. Many of our owners have chosen this lifestyle precisely because it gives them the freedom to travel without the burdens of traditional homeownership.
We’ve created an environment where you can lock your door and leave with confidence. Our management presence across both parks means there’s always someone around. We’re not offering formal property management services, but our staff naturally notice if something seems amiss during their daily routines.
The community watch culture at our parks develops organically. Neighbours genuinely look out for each other. When you’re part of our book club, Tai chi classes, or carpet bowls group, you build relationships with people who’ll happily water your plants or check your property while you’re exploring the Cotswolds or cruising the Mediterranean.
Our parks include practical features that make extended absences easier. The indoor heated swimming pool, bowling green, and community hall mean there’s always activity on site – natural surveillance that deters any problems. The safety barriers and well-maintained grounds add extra security.
We’ve seen countless examples of owners who balance their love of travel with park home ownership beautifully. Some spend several months each winter in Spain, others take regular trips to visit grandchildren abroad, and many simply enjoy the freedom to explore Britain’s countryside knowing their home is safe and waiting for their return.
The low-maintenance nature of park homes is perfect for this lifestyle. There’s no garden requiring constant attention, no exterior maintenance to worry about, and utilities can be easily managed remotely or through simple arrangements with neighbours.
Making park home living work for your travel lifestyle
Park home ownership and frequent travel aren’t mutually exclusive – they can complement each other perfectly with the right approach.
Here’s what to remember:
- Subletting isn’t an option, but you don’t need it to be
- Your park home can remain your main residence while you travel extensively
- Community connections provide natural support networks
- Modern technology and park management create multiple layers of security
- The low-maintenance lifestyle actually makes travelling easier, not harder
If you’re considering park home living but worried about your travel plans, we’d love to discuss how it could work for you. Many of our current owners at Leedons Residential Park and Broadway Park maintain active travel schedules whilst enjoying the community and comfort of park home living. We can introduce you to owners who’ve successfully balanced both, giving you real insights into how it works in practice.
Why not visit us and see for yourself? You’ll quickly discover that park home living offers the security and community you want at home, combined with the freedom to explore the world whenever you choose. Get in touch to arrange a visit and chat about how we support owners with your lifestyle in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Can I let family members stay in my park home while I’m away?
Yes, having family members or friends stay temporarily as your guests is perfectly acceptable. The restriction is specifically on subletting or renting out your property. Your visitors must respect the park rules, including the over-50s age restriction for residents, but short-term guests are welcome.
What happens if I breach the subletting rules?
Breaching your agreement by subletting could result in the site owner taking legal action, potentially leading to termination of your pitch agreement. This is a serious matter because the Mobile Homes Act protections that give you security of tenure rely on you using the property as your main residence. It’s simply not worth the risk when better alternatives exist.
How long can I be away from my park home?
There’s no specific time limit on how long you can be away. The requirement is that the park home remains your main residence, but you’re free to travel as much as you like. Many owners spend several months away each year without any issues, as long as they maintain their pitch fee payments and the property remains their primary home address.
Will my insurance cover my park home if I’m away for extended periods?
Most insurance policies will cover extended absences, but you should always check your specific policy terms. Some insurers require you to arrange regular property checks if you’re away for more than 30 or 60 days. Informing your insurer of your travel plans and having arrangements in place for property monitoring will typically satisfy their requirements.
Can I change my main residence to another property and keep my park home as a second home?
No, this wouldn’t comply with the terms of residential park home ownership, which requires the property to be your only or main residence. If you wanted a second home for occasional use, you’d need to look at holiday parks instead, which operate under different licensing and have different rules. Residential parks like ours are specifically designed for people making this their primary home.
