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Hi there,

I am after some info and was hoping that someone here would be able to help. I currently own a log cabin on a site which is open 12 months of the year. I am currently in the procces of selling it to someone who wants to live in it all year round. However, today I spoke to the site owner who informed me that the planning for my plot is only for use as a holiday residence and that I do not have a Mobile Home agreement in place which would allow someone to live in it. The previous owner lived in a caravan on the plot for 4 years, then we bought it and replaced it with a log cabin which is liable for council tax.

Am I correct in thinking that a site that is open 12 months of the year can only be a resedential site?

And that if it is liable for council tax then it can be lived in and used as a your main or only residence?

Thanks in adavance for any help, Tom 

Tom -

I'm not a legal expert but i think you can buy holiday homes that are open all year. I was looking to by a lakeside lodge some time ago that was open all year but the sale particulars stated it could not be your main residence.

Your position may be different if someone had already lived on site for 4 years without objection.

Can only tell you what happend to my inlaws.

They bought a caravan as their sole residence and sited on a site that officially only had a license for 11 months. But unofficially, they let you stay 12 months. Seemingly, if you stay 12 months, you are liable for council tax, but the park only had an 11 month license anyhow. The park had operated like that for many years and all was fine. Another site complained to the local council and the owner had to enforce the rules, everyone gets kicked off for 1 month a year. They can visit through the day, but have to sleep elsewhere for that month. Most folk have a tourer and park up at the council touring park for that month.

I hope that helps.

I sugest you ask to see the site license - or contact the council. It is not that uncommon to have 12 month holiday licenses - and in these circumstances you can't live in it - but that should have been made clear at time of purchase.

It would be unusual - but not impossible - for a site to have a mix of reidential and holiday use in the way you describe.

Hope this helps?