In residential parks, utilities are handled differently than in traditional homes. Typically, residents pay for their utilities separately from the pitch fee. At Arden Parks, utility services including electricity, water, and gas are connected to individual park homes with residents responsible for their own usage bills. Mains natural gas is available at Leedons Residential Park, while all homes have access to water and electricity services. Connections to mains utilities are included in the sited price of new park homes, making the transition smooth for new residents. The park management facilitates the initial connections, but ongoing billing relationships are directly between residents and utility providers.
Key Takeaways:
- Utilities (electricity, water, gas) are paid separately from your monthly pitch fee
- Mains natural gas is available at Leedons Residential Park
- New park homes include connections to all mains utilities in the sited price
- Most park homes fall into Council Tax Band A, helping keep costs lower
- Park management handles initial utility connections, while residents manage ongoing relationships with providers
Understanding utilities in residential park living
Utility arrangements in residential parks operate differently from conventional housing, which is an important consideration when choosing park home living. Unlike traditional housing estates where utilities might be included in service charges or managed through complicated community schemes, residential parks typically have a more straightforward approach.
At our residential parks, each home is individually connected to essential services, giving you the same direct relationship with utility providers that you would have in a traditional house. This setup allows you to maintain control over your usage and bills while benefiting from the community aspects of park living.
This difference in utility management affects your monthly budgeting and is particularly appealing for those who value transparency in their household expenses. For many of our residents at Leedons Residential Park, having clearly defined utility costs separate from the pitch fee provides peace of mind and simplifies financial planning.
What utility services are typically available in residential parks?
Residential parks typically provide access to all essential utilities including electricity, water, mains drainage, and often gas services. Most modern park homes are designed to connect seamlessly to these services, much like traditional houses.
At our residential parks, we ensure all homes have proper connections to:
- Electricity – standard mains electricity supply to each home
- Water – full mains water supply with normal pressure
- Drainage – proper connection to mains sewerage systems
- Gas – mains natural gas at Leedons Residential Park
- Telephone and broadband – infrastructure for communication services
When purchasing a new park home at Broadway Park or Leedons Residential, we include all connections to these mains services in the sited price, along with a driveway for two cars, groundwork including skirting, steps, and a path around the home, plus a garden shed.
These comprehensive utility connections ensure you enjoy all the modern comforts you’d expect in any permanent residence, supporting the comfortable lifestyle that makes residential park living so appealing to those looking for their perfect retirement option.
How are utility bills calculated and paid in a residential park?
In residential parks, utility bills are typically calculated and paid directly by residents to the service providers, just as you would in a traditional house. Each park home has individual meters for electricity, gas, and water, allowing for accurate usage measurement.
The billing process generally works as follows:
- Utility companies read your meters (or you provide readings)
- Bills are sent directly to you from the utility providers
- You pay the utility companies directly via your preferred payment method
- These costs are entirely separate from your monthly pitch fee
At our parks, the monthly pitch fee (£193.77 at Broadway Park and £246.58 at Leedons Residential) covers the rental of the land and maintenance of communal areas but does not include personal utility usage. This transparent approach means you only pay for what you actually use.
Council tax for most park homes falls into Band A, which is the lowest band, helping to keep these costs lower than many traditional housing options. The council provides bins to each property with recycling options, offering the same services as conventional housing.
Who is responsible for utility connections and maintenance?
Understanding responsibility for utilities is vital for comfortable park home living. The division of responsibility is generally straightforward but important to understand.
For initial connections, we at Arden Parks take care of everything. When you purchase a new park home, connections to all mains services are included in the sited price. This means we handle the entire process of connecting your home to electricity, water, gas (where available), and drainage systems.
For ongoing maintenance, responsibilities are divided:
- Park management: responsible for maintaining the infrastructure up to the connection points at each home
- Utility companies: responsible for the supply of services to the park
- Homeowners: responsible for the systems within their own homes and reporting any issues with their supply
If you experience utility problems, your first step should be to check if it affects just your home or multiple homes on the park. For issues within your home, you’ll need to arrange repairs yourself or through your home warranty if applicable. For wider issues affecting the park infrastructure, our manager and resident staff are available all year round to assist.
New park homes come with a manufacturer’s warranty and 10-year Gold Shield/Platinum Seal structure cover, which may include some utility systems within the home.
Your utilities at Arden Parks: What you need to know
At Arden Parks, we’ve designed our approach to utilities to be as straightforward and resident-friendly as possible. When you purchase a luxury residential park home with us, you can expect a smooth transition with all essential services ready for your arrival.
Here’s what makes our utility management beneficial for residents:
- Complete transparency with separate billing for utilities and pitch fees
- Access to all modern conveniences including mains natural gas at Leedons Residential
- Professional installation of all connections included in your purchase price
- On-site management team available to address infrastructure issues
- Lower council tax banding (typically Band A) helping to manage costs
It takes approximately 12 weeks to have a park home built by the manufacturer and up to 16 weeks from siting the home on the plot to get connections and make the park home ready to move in. Throughout this process, we ensure all utility connections meet the highest standards, supporting our commitment to quality living environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are utility costs generally higher or lower in residential parks compared to traditional housing?
Utility costs in residential parks are often comparable to or slightly lower than traditional housing. Park homes built to BS3632 standards are well-insulated and energy-efficient, potentially resulting in lower heating costs. Additionally, most park homes fall into Council Tax Band A, which is the lowest band, reducing this particular expense compared to many conventional houses.
Can I choose my own utility providers at a residential park?
In most cases, yes. While the park management handles the infrastructure, residents typically have the same freedom to choose electricity and gas suppliers as they would in traditional housing. However, for some services like water, the provider may be determined by the regional utility company serving the park’s location.
Are renewable energy options available for park homes?
The availability of renewable energy options depends on the specific park’s rules and regulations. At Arden Parks, any significant modifications to your park home, including installation of renewable energy sources, would require written approval from the park management.
What happens to utility connections during seasonal weather events or emergencies?
Residential parks like ours have infrastructure designed to be resilient to typical seasonal weather. Our on-site management team responds quickly to any service disruptions. For wider outages affecting the regional grid or water supply, the same protocols apply as with traditional housing, with utility companies responsible for restoring service.
How do utility arrangements affect the resale value of my park home?
Well-maintained, efficient utility systems can positively impact your park home’s resale value. Modern connections to mains services (especially natural gas) are attractive to potential buyers. When selling your park home in the future, the quality and efficiency of utility systems will be factors prospective buyers consider, alongside other aspects of the property and park amenities.
