Park home refurbishment is a specialist area. Make sure you choose the right man (or woman!) for the job

Firstly, you need to ensure that whoever you hire to do the work has knowledge of how park homes differ in construction to bricks and mortar properties.

The January 2008 issue of Park Home & Holiday Caravan, in the shops between Friday 14 December and Friday 11 January, includes a comprehensive directory of park home refurbishment specialists.

As with bricks and mortar building work, cowboys do exist in the trade, but we need to work together and recognise those who do a great job.

I want to hear from you if you've had any work done on your park or holiday home in the last 18 months and can recommend the company or person you used to other home owners. After all, word of mouth is one of the best ways to choose a good workman.

If you're thinking of embarking on a project, make sure you contact the Guild of Park Home Services before you start. Its members sign up to a code of conduct and the quality of their work is guaranteed.

Call the Guild of Park Home Services freephone on 0800 6120 883.

Let's run the cowboys out of town!

Open plan living? Kitchen with all mod cons? What's most important to you?

I'm lucky enough to get a sneak preview of all the fantastic new park and holiday homes launching each year. Over the past three years I've seen some rather interesting trends develop.

It's no longer enough to have a swanky en suite bathroom to the master bedroom. Now there has to be a walk through dressing area too!

Open plan living seems to be the fashion right now. It's always been popular in leisure lodges but now residential park home manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon. But is this what buyers actually want?

In our January issue (on sale Friday 14 December) we take a good look at Wessex's new Dorset Harbour. One of its great selling points is that it has a separate lounge, meaning you can tuck yourself away with a good book and not be disturbed.

Get in touch and tell me your favourite room in your park home. Or if you're looking to buy, what exactly are you looking for?

I'll pass your views on to the manufacturers and who knows, perhaps we'll create some trends of our own!

Emma Bartlett reports back from Parliament

I was invited to the Park Home Parliamentary Group meeting at the Houses of Parliament last week. Every time I visit Westminster I'm struck again by just how stunning the building really is.

The meeting was a good opportunity for MPs, residents' associations and officials from the industry's trade bodies to quiz Iain Wright, the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for housing on whether the new implied terms legislation was working. These are terms that are set by law into park home owners' written agreements.

His view was it just needed time to bed in. What do you think?

The MPs assembled and the residents' associations disagreed and it was pointed out the Mobile Home Act 1983 has had 24 years to bed in.

I can't help but feel that it's not necessarily that the legislation is not working, but that rogue park owners out there will disregard any laws in place.

It's time to come up with solutions that reward and incentivise the good park owners, while penalising the bad.

Let me know your views

Commission. The big debate

The park home commission debate still rages on. After consultation the Government decided to keep the maximum commission rate on sale of a park home at 10%.

Park owners are relieved they're not going to lose this essential income, but residents aren't so happy. Now there are rumours that the decision may be revisited. What do you think?

Should we all move on and concentrate on making sure the new legislation protects park home owners? Or is this an issue that's just not going to go away?

If you are thinking about buying a second home, here is some essential advice on how to do it.

Q: How far should I travel to find a park?
A: Make sure your park is within easy driving distance if you plan to go regularly. A two-hour commute is probably a sensible limit. If you don't drive, check train, coach and bus links.

Q: How can I gauge the park's quality?
A: Look for the Quality Graded symbols (stars) used in promotional material. Grading is carried out by tourist boards and the trade associations. A park with five symbols has the highest quality services. Grading is based on: layout; landscape; atmosphere; ambience and the inspector's overall impression.

Q: Shall I buy a new or second-hand?
A: It really depends on your budget. Check the site's policy on older homes: many insist that these homes are removed after 10 years.

Q: What size home should I buy?
A: The model you plump for will depend on your personal requirements. If you spend a lot of time there, go for a spacious living and dining area, comfortable bedrooms and a well-equipped kitchen. If you visit less often, and eat out a lot, pick something with a smaller kitchen and a converted lounge or dinette seating for overnight guests.

Q: How much will it cost?
A: Most parks quote an all-in figure for caravan and plot. You will also pay an annual pitch fee, which will vary according to facilities offered. Nearly all parks have mains services - electricity, water and sewerage - plus LPG. Some parks now offer broadband internet facilities too.

Q: When can I use my holiday home?
A: All parks have licences for a period of the year. Many seasons run from March 1st to October 31st and some open for 10, 11 or even 12 months.

Q: Can I let out my home when I'm not there myself?
A: Check with your park owner before arranging anything at all. Some parks will even handle the business on your behalf, for a fee.

Q: Should I insure my home?
A: Yes, buying a holiday home represents a significant investment. Many specialist companies advertise with this magazine.

Q: Can I get a loan to buy a holiday caravan?
A: Again, there are some specialist companies that advertise with PH&HC who will be happy to help you.

Q: How do I know the park site owner is reputable?
A: Check your park owner is a member of the National Caravan Council or the British Holiday & Home Parks Association: all members should adhere to the Code of Practice for Selling and Siting Holiday Caravans, although this does not necessarily guarantee they will behave responsibly.

Q: What measures can I take to protect myself in case a dispute arises?
A: Get a written agreement from your park owner. If this statement is not forthcoming, demand one. If you are unsure, seek advice from the National Association of Caravan Owners (NACO).

Q: If a park owner wants to move my caravan from the park, how much notice should he give?
A: At least six months' written notice.

Q: When will my pitch fee increase?
A: Pitch fee increases are at the owner's discretion. Any price hike should be for improvements to facilities. You should receive at least three months' notice.

Q: If I sell my caravan, will my park owner get a cut?
A: When a caravan is resold on site and the agreement assigned with the park owner's consent, a commission of up to 15 per cent (plus VAT) is payable to the park owner. Never buy a holiday caravan unless you have a plot to site it on.

If you are thinking about buying a park home, here is all the information you will need.

Q: Where do I start?
A: Check out the residential parks advertised each month in PH&HC and order a copy of our annual Residential Parks Guide, which lists British parks by region, county and town. Order for £4 including P&P from www.aarons-mags.co.uk or call 01562 69296.

Q: What will it cost?
A: New sited homes can cost between £50,000 and £300,000 depending on size, fixtures and fittings and location. Second hand homes can cost as little as £15,000. If you go down this route, make sure you get a surveyor's opinion on its age and condition. Some specialists advertise in PH&HC. Remember, the final cost will be more than the 'ex-works' price quoted by the manufacturer. The park owner will charge a siting fee to transport the home from factory to park, siting it on its concrete base and connecting it to the mains services. Ensure you budget for this as your total bill could double. Although not essential, it is advisable to use a solicitor to help you through the buying process. Some specialist practitioners advertise in PH&HC.

Q: How do I raise the cash?
A: Finance companies like RoyScot Larch and Park Home Assist specialise in loans for the purpose of park home purchases and advertise with PH&HC. Some park owners can also arrange finance packages for you or offer advice.

Q: Do I sign a contract?
A: Under the Mobile Homes Act 1983, you must enter into a written agreement with the park owner to live on his park home site. Ask to examine the park owner's copy prior to purchase. If you buy your home from the park owner, he must provide you with a copy 28 days before you buy the home, unless you agree in writing to reduce this period specifically. Residents' rights are contained in the Implied Terms (Part III), which were strengthened in October 2006 following a Government review. The Implied Terms include security of tenure and the resident's right to sell 'on site' to a third party. These terms must be included and cannot be altered or removed by the site owner. For a free booklet on the new Implied Terms, entitled Mobile Homes: A Guide For Residents and Site Owners, contact the Department for Communities and Local Government on 0870 1226 236. Buried in the final section of the statement are the Express Terms, which are more flexible and are agreed between the site owner and the resident. These can include how to decide a plot fee increase; a duty on the occupier to keep his home in a decent state of repair; and a duty on the site owner to keep the site in a good condition. If you buy a previously occupied home, the written statement and any park rules will be assigned to you.

Q: What if I want to sell?
A: The previous occupier is required to pay a commission of up to 10 per cent of the sale price to the park owner.

Q: Are there any hidden costs?
A: You will still have to pay council tax, although most park homes fall into the lowest tax band. Find out how much this is before you purchase. On top of this, you will also pay rent to the park owner on a weekly or monthly basis. This covers inspection of the electricity supply; street lighting, insurance; road maintenance, etc. Rents vary from £80 to around £130 per month depending on the park's location and facilities. Make sure your home and its contents are insured. Many insurers advertise in PH&HC.

Things you should ask:

Is the owner a member of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association or the National Park Homes Council?

Ask about current pitch fees and the history of increases over the past five years.

Ask if you need to buy electricity and gas through the park owner.

Are pets allowed?

Are children allowed to live on site or stay over?

Is the site licence on display? All owners should display a licence from the local authority. The licence covers matters like spacing between homes, the condition of roads, fire precautions, etc.

Ensure the park has planning permission as a permanent residential park.