Question: Having been the owner of a mobile home for eight years on a campsite in southern Brittany, I have been told that all flat-top – ie flat-roof – mobile homes, which is the type I have, must be taken off site by 2010, regardless of condition, and replaced by ridge-roof homes.
Although I have enquired as to why, I have received no logical explanation other than it is the decision of the préfecture of the area. I would be grateful for any advice you can offer as I can see in three years time there are going to be thousands of flat-top mobile homes on the market thus making them all virtually valueless.
Gordon Stenhouse
Answer: Mobile homes with pitched or ridge roofs have been championed by manufacturers over the past few years and all new models feature this design.
Lots of park owners have seen how homes with peaked roofs, wood-effect exteriors and other attractive features have enhanced the look of their park and many now make having a ridge-roof home a requirement for new customers.
In a small number of areas, préfectures have supported parks by creating regional recommendations that enforce the trend for pitched roofs. However, we’re not aware of this happening in southern Brittany. siblu owns one of the largest holiday parks in Brittany and our owners can keep their flat-top homes on park. I would recommend that you contact your local préfecture to clarify their decision.
Most park owners will include provisions in their contracts about maintaining accommodation in a good condition, but this shouldn’t have a direct bearing on the type of roof a home has.
As mobile home designs with pitched roofs become more popular, a new industry has developed to offer people with flat-top designs the chance to add a peaked roof, although this is a route that should be taken with caution. We’ve heard stories about leaking roofs and structures that have buckled because they’ve not been designed to manage the extra weight.
siblu is unique as a UK company because we own our holiday parcs and sell accommodation. Most UK companies are only concerned with selling mobile homes onto parks owned by a third party, so if a future problem arises, customers can’t fall back on to a strong relationship with their park owner.
There is no industry-wide deadline for replacing flat-top mobiles, so we won’t face the prospect of thousands of valueless homes, but they will be phased out over time as existing owners upgrade and new owners come into the market.