The BS3632 Standard Explained

When purchasing a Park home or lodge, the term BS3632 standard may have been used in relation to its construction. But what exactly is it, and what does it mean?

This legislation impacts on your residential park home, whether you are planning to live there or use it for leisure purposes. In this article, we have broken down the key components of the legislation. So what has changed, and what is the impact of BS3632?

What is the BS3632?

The BS3632 is the British Standard to which residential park homes (and some lodges) are built. They are suitable for permanent residence (depending on the site licence) and are for all year round use.

The BSI – British Standards Institute – is a UK body that produces a range of standards for businesses and products to ensure they are fit for purpose.

First published in 1963, the BS3632 standard for residential park homes covers the quality of residential park homes. It also includes a list of criteria to ensure that all models fit their specific intention and are safe for dwelling. Finally, the technical aspects of the legislation cover all requirements and codes of practice that must be adhered to. These mainly concern the construction and design of the residential park home itself. This includes water, gas and electric supplies, ventilation systems, and preservation and maintenance of the residential park home. It will also have the measurements and size of the building itself.

 Why do the BS3632 standards exist?

The BS3632 standard for residential park homes exists to ensure a minimum standard that all residential park homes need to measure up to, or they cannot be sold, rented or lived in. Without this legislation, there is a chance that manufacturers could use building standards that are not appropriate for residential park homes. Either that or the residential park homes would be too basic, worse, and unsafe. Either way, the park home would not be fit for purpose.

Secondly, these standards need to exist because residential park homes are becoming a more popular living option. For example, residential parks are there for residents to live in and not for leisure or a seasonal basis. In order to be a permanent resident, the standards needed to be updated to exist more in line with conventional housing options.

What is the difference from the previous legislation?

Although the 2015 BS3632 version of the legislation may not have added any major updates, several amendments have been made to the 2005 BS3632 standard.

Some examples of the upgraded features in a BS3632 model residential park home include:

• Increased wall, flooring and roof insulation
• Double glazed windows as a requirement
• Central heating (including higher minimum temperatures) and improved ventilation systems
• All A-rated appliances, including low energy (LED) lighting where applicable
• Scientific testing of walls and construction to ensure they are soundproof
• Larger spaces for ovens and refrigerators/freezers
• More rigorous advice and warnings
• The inclusion of alternative and renewable energy sources
• TMV2 / TMV3 thermostatic control of domestic hot water supply (prevents scalding)
• No 5% VAT construction charge

Although minor, these additions and changes have resulted in residential park homes significantly improving in quality – not just in energy, but in general appearance and soundness of structure. Genuinely superior homes are now on the market, and more people consider them a long-lasting living situation.

Why is the 2015 BS3632 important?

There are several reasons why this legislation is essential. Not just for the implications to builders and manufacturers but also for residents of the home. Simply put, knowing these standards means allows the end-user to understand the quality that a residential park home should live up to, no matter what its purpose.

But there are more reasons than simply maintenance. Between 2005 and 2015, technology has improved significantly alongside it, so has energy efficiency. The amendments to the BS3632 legislation will, therefore, help contractors and manufacturers build not only more energy-efficient residential park homes, but ones that will also cost less to run and actually be more comfortable to live in on a more lasting basis.

How will this legislation affect me?

The BS3632 standard makes guarantees that the home built and fitted to the highest possible standard. All park home manufacturers (our sister company Landscape Living are park homes )who hold membership of the National Caravan Council must pass the British Standard Institute’s self-certification scheme to fulfil the updated criteria. This involves a rigorous process of testing and inspection of every point on the BS 3632 checklist. This is then summarised and sent away for verification. Once the structure has passed, each home will be given a Manufacturer’s Declaration of Compliance certificate. From this point, the residential park home is considered acceptable to be lived in.

Currently, there are two standards to which caravan holiday homes have to adhere – the BS 3632 and EN 1647.  The UK Caravan Centre sells both….. Call us now on 08002461206 to see what homes we have available.

The EN 1647 is suitable strictly for seasonal, temporary use only. Therefore, upgrading a  property to BS 3632 will improve the home to residential standards. These improvements include increased insulation, double glazing, modern central heating and more.

The infrastructure of a BS3632 standard home can be the main residence. This includes the winter months (provided the park has a residential license). Without the BS3632 standard, the home is not fit to be lived in.

It is clear therefore that the BS 3632 simply opens up a new world of residential living and holiday options. The BS 3632 has improved the quality and even the security of the structure. Significantly, means that residential park homes can be of the same standards as more traditional housing for substantially less money!

Both a residential park home and holiday home come in many different styles and aesthetics, but they are different. Understanding the differences between the two is essential if you are considering buying one. This is because what you buy will have an impact on what you can do with your home. So let’s take a look at the main difference between a residential park home and a holiday home.

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What’s the difference between a Residential Park Home and Holiday Home?

The first way to know if a home is a residential park home or holiday home is by the standard it has been built to comply with.

Most holiday homes are built to EN1647 standards, whereas all residential homes will comply with the British Standard BS3632. This standard ensures that the home is suitable for permanent use.

Holiday homes aren’t required to reach the BS3632 standard. this is because they are designed for short term occupation. In fact, it is illegal to live in a property full time that doesn’t conform to the BS3632 standard, and you should not live in a home that isn’t BS3632 standard.

One thing to note is that many holiday lodges are now being built to the BS3632 standard. This isn’t a requirement for a holiday home. However, many holiday parks enjoy a twelve-month site license and a residential standard build allows the holiday homeowner to enjoy use throughout the year.

Residential Park, Holiday Park or Both?

Parks can be either residential, holiday or mixed-use. If the park is mixed-use, the park will have both holiday homes and residential plots/ homes.

If a park is residential, you have a ‘right of permanent residence, which allows you to live there permanently.  It can be your full-time home.  You can live there all year, and there’s no requirement for you to have another property somewhere else.

If a park doesn’t have a right of permanent residence, then you cannot live there full time.  You would need to have another residence elsewhere. There will be limits on how long you can stay at the park.  Even if the park is open 12 months of the year, you still can’t stay there all of the time if it doesn’t have a right of permanent residence.

How do you know if it is a Residential Park or Holiday Park?

So how do you know what use is allowed within a park or for a particular home?  The first place to start is the site license.  This license will be available on the park’s noticeboard or in the main office.  You can also ask the local council’s Licensing Department for this information or to see a copy.  Always check this yourself, and don’t take word of mouth as confirmation one way or the other.

A site license is something issued by the local council.  This lays out:

• How many homes can be in the park
• What services and amenities must be present
• Any health and safety considerations

It will also state if the park has a residential or holiday home license or if there is a mixture and how this works out.  The park owner will be able to provide this information for you, and if you are buying a property, you need to know this is all in order before you make the purchase.

Legal Differences between Holiday Parks and Residential Parks

With the different uses come different legal considerations. Residential park homes are covered by The Mobile Homes Act 2013, which provides better protection for park homeowners as well as a legal framework for park owners to follow.

However, holiday home parks don’t come under this act, so they don’t receive the same protections. Here are some other differences between the types of parks;

1. Holiday Home Park Details

If the park has a holiday home license, then this will also state the maximum time that can be spent on-site in any one year.  Some sites may have a maximum number of consecutive days you can occupy the property – 60 days is common.  The local authority is the one that sets these terms.

2. Twelve Months’ Holiday Usage

Confusingly, holiday home parks often have a 12-month holiday use, but this doesn’t mean you can use it for 12 months of the year.  This means that some holiday parks are open for twelve months a year, rather than being closed during part of the winter, as was traditional.

However, it is part of the local authority license as to how long the park can open for and the conditions within that license.  So, if you are buying a holiday home, it is always essential to understand this before you complete the purchase.

3. Occupation Period

Another consideration is that a holiday home costs less than a residential park home.  One reason for this is that the occupational license for a holiday home is usually for a set time.  This might be ten years, 25 or 50 years.  A residential park home doesn’t have a time frame and can be used for as long as the home exists.

4. Residential Park Homes Council Tax

Another big difference between residential and holiday homes is the matter of council tax.  On a holiday home, you don’t pay council tax in the traditional sense. Whereas you must pay this on a residential property, just as with any other type of traditional home.

However, you need to pay business rates at a price agreed with the park owner as a part of the contract when you take over the property.  If you own a second home or holiday property, you also need to pay local authority rates similar to those on the main residence but come as part of park contributions.  This should be laid out in the contract.

5. Letting Out a Holiday Home

If you let the holiday home to tourists or even tenants, you can get a discount on the tax you pay.  The home does need to qualify as a furnished holiday home for this which, according to the government, means it is ‘sufficient furniture for normal occupation’.

You also need to ensure that you let the property be commercially available for at least 210 days a year – not including any days that you stay there yourself.  So effectively, you need to advertise it for at least 105 days to qualify for this.

If you are looking to let out your holiday home, you should ask your holiday park manager.

6. Home Construction Standard

Another way to know if a home is a residential or holiday home is by the standard it has been built to, although this is not always the case.

As a rule, holiday homes are not built to be permanent residences.  All residential park homes will comply with the British Standard BS3632, which ensures that the home is suitable for permanent use.

However, holiday homes aren’t required to reach this standard because they are designed for short term occupation.  It is illegal to live in a property full time that doesn’t conform to the BS3632 and should not be done.

Residential Park Home and Holiday Home Insurance

Because homes come in two categories, residential or holiday, there are different types of insurance.  Making sure you have the right one is vital to protect yourself.

Residential park insurance will protect you if the home is destroyed and you have nowhere to live. In contrast, a holiday home insurance policy wouldn’t cover for somewhere else to live because, by definition, you should already have another home to return to.  If you have holiday home insurance and plan to let the property, you may need business insurance and public liability.

What Happens If You Get The Wrong Insurance?

It should be made very clear when you are buying a park home what the nature of the use permitted is and which category it falls within.

If you then use a holiday home as a permanent residence, you can be considered in breach of the contract you signed when buying or renting the property.  This can lead to legal action as it is one of the ‘severe breaches of contract’ featured in legal paperwork.  It can even lead to eviction in the most extreme cases.

Residential Park Home or Holiday Home? Getting it Right

Knowing whether a park home is a residential or holiday home is one of the first things you need to understand when considering one.  The conditions of its use are more important than anything as it will ensure you can use the property legally and correctly.

The rules are clear, every park owner will be able to make them known before you consider a purchase. Alternatively, you can contact the local council to determine what license has been issued to the park.