SCOTTISH CONFEDERATION OF PARK HOMES RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS
(SCOPHRA)
Founded in 2017, SCOPHRA has been formed for the benefit of Park Home (Mobile Home) permanent residents in Scotland.
Residential Park Homes, sometime called mobile homes, provde a unique lifestyle which is growing throughout Scotland - with some eighty (80) sites from the Highlands to the Borders. They are used predominantly by the over 50’s and those of a retirement age looking for an easier way of life. In some cases, location can be the main attraction, in particular the countryside along with coastal sites are both very much sought after but sites can be found in urban areas.
Park Home sites are generally privately owned; the residents will own their own home but rent a 'pitch' on which their home is sited from a site owner; the surrounds will differ from site to site and personal choice might be an option. If community style of living is your preference, then this be found on a park home site with like minded residents willing to participate in group activities and in some cases form a residents’ association.
Residents pay a pitch fee every month for the right to 'station' their home on a site and this fee can differ from site to site with site fee levels controlled by law. Residents are entitled to a legally binding document, a Written Statement under the Mobile Homes Act, which sets out the guidelines of their tenure and their contract with the site owner. This again, is controlled by law and entitels a home owner to keep there home on a site permanently, if they so desitre. Council Tax bands on park home sites are normally in the lower level which makes a park home financially viable.
There might be a residents' association in place on your site which can bring together the site owner and the residents to make the whole atmosphere that much reassuring. Community living can also have benefits such as social events and interaction with other residents, encouraging neighbour contact, helping to eliminate loneliness and promote community cohesion.
The formation of the Scottish Confederation Of Park Homes Residents Associations (SCOPHRA) is intended to provide an umbrella organisation for existing and future Park Home Residents Associations with the sole aim of supporting their needs and aspirations under the one banner, giving strength in numbers to individual associations.
Under its constitution the aims of SCOPHRA are....
To represent and maximise the collective interests of affiliated park home Residents Associations in Scotland in their contact with site owners, local authorities, public bodies, lawmakers and the media.
To advise and assist affiliated Associations and their members in matters of park home law and regulation in Scotland and to gather substantive data on park home living in Scotland.
To encourage the formation of Residents Associations on permanent residential park home sites in Scotland in accordance with the Mobile Homes (Written Statement) (Scotland) Regulations 2013.
To assist individual park home residents with the above, where no local Association exists.
To promote best practice and encourage park home lifestyle as a permanent residential option in accordance with the Mobile Homes Acts as they apply in Scotland.
SCOPHRA are just building their website now but please check - www.scophra.scot - for information on Park Home living, guidance in setting up a residents association, Park Home Law in Scotland, frequently asked questions, advice on park home matters and most of all the current park home news. Also, click on our sponsors aside for links to further information.
IF YOU HAVE AN ENQUIRY ABOUT PARK HOME LIVING IN GENERAL, OR PARK HOME RESIDENTS ASSOCIATONS IN PARTICULAR, EMAIL SCOPHRA AT
info@scophra.scot
MEMBERSHIP OF SCOPHRA IS OPEN TO CONSTITUTED RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS ON RESIDENTIAL PARK HOME ESTATES IN SCOTLAND. FOR JOINING INFORMATION EMAIL:
SCOPHRA@groups.facebook.com
