STV News report on a Members Park
STV News (North East & Tayside) reported on one of our Member Parks who haven’t received a Utility Bill for
SCOPHRA was formed in 2017 to represent the interests of the occupiers of full-time residential Park Homes living in Scotland. (Please note, we do not represent the occupiers of holiday homes).
We are run entirely by volunteers, all of whom live in residential park homes in Scotland. The legislation governing park homes in Scotland is different to that in England, so we only focus on Scotland for that reason.
Residential Park Homes provide a unique lifestyle which is growing throughout Scotland – with some 100 sites (parks) across the country. Most sites have a minimum age for living on the park (typically over 45 or over 50 years of age). This means that park home life is particularly popular with those who are retired or nearing retirement age.
The parks themselves are generally all privately owned; some by families, some by small businesses and some by large national or international companies.
Some parks form RAs or Residents’ Associations (see About Residents’ Associations) and we work closely with our Member RAs to offer support and guidance as required. We are also working closely with the Scottish Government to enact changes to legislation that will benefit all Park Homes occupiers across Scotland. (see Debate).
We also welcome individual Members who do not yet have RAs on their parks and can assist them is setting up an RA if required.
Please watch a short video about SCOPHRA here: Intro to SCOPHRA
SCOPHRA is being recognised now by the Scottish Government, and others as an organisation that can give clear and concise examples from a Park Home residents perspective. We are invited to more Government working groups, on these we ensure that it is understood what is required to help Park Home residents across Scotland. The two links are examples.
https://www.gov.scot/groups/energy-consumers-ministerial-meetings/
https://www.gov.scot/publications/energy-consumers-ministerial-meetings-minutes-september-2024/
STV News (North East & Tayside) reported on one of our Member Parks who haven’t received a Utility Bill for
Held on 3rd October 2025 at McDiarmid Park, Perth Event Overview The inaugural SCOPHRA Conference and workshop was held on
Starting from October 2025, the Climate Engaged Park Home Communities
This article appeared in the Age Scotland Magazine: “Park home
Park (or mobile) Homes are single storey buildings that are ideal for older people to live in as they are easy to maintain. They are sometimes referred to by other names, such as ‘lodges’ or ‘bungalows’. The Park Home is purchased outright but the land the Park Home sits on (called the ‘pitch’) is rented from the Park Owners (POs). This ‘pitch fee’ is paid monthly or quarterly to the POs and includes the right to station the Home on the pitch along with any other services the POs provide – maintenance of common spaces, roads, street lighting as well as water supply, waste water disposal and (possibly) electricity and gas. This varies from park to park, so we recommend that this is investigated before purchasing.
Additionally, every park is licensed by the local council for a certain number of homes as a fully residential park (i.e. NOT a holiday park). These licenses are up for renewal every five years. Please check with the local council to ensure the park has a full residential licence and NOT a holiday licence. Please see our information video on Site Licences here: Intro to Site Licence
Occupiers of Park Homes are covered by the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (MHA) with the 2013 amendments, and all occupiers should be issued with a Written Statement which is the legal contract between the Park Owners and the Home Owners. The Written Statement will cover the terms of the agreement and the park rules (which will vary from park to park). Please see our information video on Written Statements here: Intro to Written Statement
Residents’ Associations (or RAs) are simply a body of volunteers who live on the same park and want to develop a sense of community by organising social events, outings, talks, fundraising activities, etc. They are a great way of bringing people together who might otherwise feel isolated. No one can prevent an RA forming as it is a basic human right under Freedom of Assembly and Association.
Legislation provides for the existence of a QRA (Qualifying Residents Association). This is a more formal association which has rights under the Mobile Homes Act that allow for a more ‘official’ relationship with the Park Owners (POs) – i.e. the POs have to consult with the QRA about all matters on the park, etc.
The QRA can only be formed if 50% (or more) of the homes on the park join the RA and then there needs to be a Constitution and a minimum of 3 Office Bearers (a Chair, a Secretary and a Treasurer). We can provide support and guidance if you would like to form a QRA.
SCOPHRA is run entirely by part-time volunteers. There are currently five people who sit on the Executive Committee (Exec). The Exec meet regularly online (we are limited by distance and health issues) and communicate via email, WhatsApp and the telephone.
Under our Constitution the aims of SCOPHRA are:
We are working with the Scottish Government with regard to making legislative and regulatory changes to existing laws regarding Park Homes.