Site Fees Explained
Site fees (also called pitch fees) are the ongoing charges you pay to live on a park. Understanding what they cover, how they are reviewed, and your rights is essential before you buy.
When you buy a park home, you own the home itself but rent the pitch from the park owner. The rent you pay for your pitch is called the site fee or pitch fee. It is one of your most significant ongoing costs.
What are site fees?
Site fees are regular payments, usually charged monthly or annually, that a resident pays to the park owner for the right to keep their home on the pitch.
Site fees typically cover:
- Use of the pitch / land your home stands on
- Maintenance of communal park roads and pathways
- Upkeep of communal gardens and green spaces
- Street lighting and security on site
- Management and administration of the park
Site fees do NOT usually cover:
- Your individual utility bills
- Council tax
- Buildings or contents insurance
- Maintenance of your own home or garden plot
How much are site fees?
Site fees vary considerably by park, location, and facilities offered. As a rough guide:
| Budget / rural parks | £100 - £200 per month |
| Mid-range parks | £200 - £350 per month |
| Premium / well-facilitated parks | £350 - £600+ per month |
These are indicative ranges only. Always confirm the current fee directly with the park and check when the next review is due.
How and when can site fees increase?
For residential park home residents, site fee increases are regulated by law. The park owner must follow a formal process to review and increase fees.
- The park must give at least 28 days written notice before any increase takes effect
- Increases are typically linked to CPI
- The pitch agreement must state the review period
- Any increase above the agreed index can be challenged
Utilities - metered or included?
Utility arrangements vary significantly between parks. There are three common models:
Mains connected
Your home is connected directly to the public mains supply.
Sub-metered through the park
The park has a master meter and re-charges residents for their individual usage.
Included in site fees
Some parks include a utilities allowance within the site fee.
Questions to ask the park about site fees
- What is the current monthly / annual site fee?
- When is the next review due and what index is used?
- What has the fee increased by over the last 3-5 years?
- What exactly is included in the fee?
- Are utilities sub-metered or included?
- Are there any additional service charges or levies?