A pitch fee, also known as a site fee, is the amount that a homeowner is required by the agreement to pay to the park owner for the right to station a mobile home on a pitch and for use of the common area of the park and its maintenance. This fee does not include amounts due in respect of gas, electricity, water, sewerage, or other services unless the agreement expressly provides that the pitch fee covers such amounts.
The pitch fee is usually paid regularly, such as monthly or annually, depending on the agreement between the park owner and the homeowner. The amount of the pitch fee can vary widely depending on the location, facilities, and amenities offered by the park.
The Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act 2023 came into force on 2 July 2023. Park owners are required to use the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) instead of the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to review pitch fees.
The Government has published a new pitch fee review form to reflect this change, which can be found here.
For pitch fee reviews with review dates on or before 16 August 2023, park owners may still use the RPI to increase the pitch fee, but only if the notice and form were served by 1 July 2023.
For pitch fee reviews with review dates on or after 17 August 2023, park owners are required to use the CPI instead of the RPI under the 2023 Act.
Park owners need to adhere to the 2023 Act to ensure their pitch fee reviews are conducted correctly and legally. If a park owner proposes a pitch fee review without using the new pitch fee review form or a form ‘substantially to the like effect’, or the correct Index has not been used in compliance with the 2023 Act, then the review will not be valid.
How we can help
If you are a park operator and have any questions regarding pitch fee reviews or need further information on getting pitch fee reviews right, contact our specialist Parks team on 01392 207020 or email parks@tozers.co.uk
