Do you pay council tax on a park home?

As someone thinking of buying a park home, it helps to know all the associated site fees and bills involved in taking up your new residence. You’ll be glad to know that one of the many benefits of living in a park home is that they  can be much cheaper to buy and maintain than bricks and mortar.

This blog will focus on whether you need to pay council tax on a park home, how much you need to pay, and what these payments go towards.

Related: Park homes: The ultimate guide

Do you pay council tax on a park home?

Yes, you will need to pay council tax on a park home if it is your permanent or main residence. To work out your council tax, you’ll need to know the council tax band your park home is in, the amount your local council charges for that band, and whether you’re eligible for a discount.

You can pay your council tax across ten or twelve monthly payments by paying online, setting up a direct debit, or using cash payments at your local post office, bank, or newsagent. For further information on paying your council tax, visit the How Council Tax Works page on the UK Government website.

Can I get a council tax discount on my park home?

Yes, you may be able to apply for a council tax discount on your park home if you live alone or if members of your household do not need to be counted towards the calculation of your bill. For example, this includes people under 18 years old or full-time students. The full list of who should not be counted when working out your council tax payments is on the UK Government website.

What is my park home council tax band?

Park homes usually fall into council tax band A. However, you can easily find your council tax band by entering your address into the UK Government’s check your council tax band page.

Your council tax band can change, though, and there are several factors which can influence it. For example, if you were to make changes to your property or begin operating a business out of it. If you believe your park home is in the wrong council tax band and you want it to be reassessed, you can contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).  

How much is council tax on a park home?

The amount you have to pay for being in a particular council tax band will vary based on where you are in the country and what your local council charges for that band. The amount you need to pay will also depend on whether you’re eligible for a discount.

To give you a rough idea of council tax costs, the average payment for a household occupied by two adults in council tax band D for the year 2023-2024 was just over £2,000. Council tax bands run alphabetically from A to H, with A being the cheapest.

What will my park home council tax payments pay for?

The majority of your council tax payments go towards supporting and improving your local community. This includes council-run services such as bin collections, the upkeep of local parks, and repairing roads.

The site owner is responsible for looking after the shared areas within the site, such as pavements and gardens, and for any repairs necessary related to the hardstanding pitch your park home sits on. As the owner of the park home, you are responsible for carrying out maintenance and keeping it in good condition.

Related: 7 essential tips for park home maintenance

What other fees do I need to consider before buying a park home?

You can’t get a mortgage on a park home, so you will need to either pay the costs upfront or get a loan to cover the purchase. Park homes don’t hold their value in the same way that traditional homes do. However, they can still last a lifetime if they’re well looked after.

It’s also best to research the site fees you’ll need to pay depending on the site you choose to reside in, as this can also change depending on where you are in the UK.

Specialist park home insurance through Ripe

Purchasing a park home is a big investment, so you may want to consider protecting your park home with specialist insurance. 

At Ripe, we arrange specialist park home insurance that covers your property, including fixtures and fittings, up to the value of £500,000 and your contents up to the value of £75,000. The cover can be tailored to your requirements quickly and easily, so you’ll never pay for cover you don’t need. 

Click here to discover how we can help, or get an instant online quote today.