Placing a mobile home in your garden can be a smart and flexible way to provide extra living space for a family member. But what many homeowners don’t realise is that just because a mobile home is not a permanent structure doesn’t mean you can bypass planning considerations. At NAPC, we specialise in navigating the planning rules that apply to mobile homes, annexes, and garden rooms. One recent example from Hastings offers a lesson in what can happen when homeowners skip a key legal step: securing a Certificate of Lawfulness mobile home application before installation.
The Hastings Case: What Happens Without Legal Clarity
In Hastings, a homeowner found himself in a planning dispute over whether his mobile home required permission. In a bid to prove his point, he hired a crane to lift the structure high into the air, demonstrating that it wasn’t physically attached to the ground — and therefore, he believed, didn’t count as “development.”
While dramatic, this approach highlights a common misconception: that mobility alone exempts a structure from planning control. In reality, local authorities consider several factors, including the use, size, siting, and whether the structure remains ancillary to the main dwelling.
Had the homeowner secured a Certificate of Lawfulness mobile home designation from the outset, the dispute — and the crane — could have been avoided entirely.
What Is a Certificate of Lawfulness for a Mobile Home?
A Certificate of Lawfulness mobile home application is an official document issued by your local planning authority. Specifically for mobile homes, it confirms that siting the structure within your garden is lawful under planning legislation and does not require planning permission.
This certificate acts as a legal safeguard, offering reassurance that your setup complies with key legislation — including Section 29 of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and Section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Why Getting One Early Can Save You Time, Stress and Money
Securing a Certificate of Lawfulness mobile home status is a simple but crucial step — and one we strongly recommend before any mobile home is delivered or installed. Here’s why:
✔ Peace of Mind: Confirms your mobile home is lawful and immune from enforcement action.
✔ Avoid Legal Disputes: Stops planning disagreements with the council or neighbours before they begin.
✔ Save Time and Money: Prevents the need for retrospective planning applications or costly removals.
✔ Protect Property Value: Buyers and lenders value clarity — a certificate demonstrates compliance.
✔ Stay in Control: Even well-meaning neighbours can raise objections. With a certificate, your position is protected.
Key Takeaways from the Hastings Incident
The Hastings dispute illustrates what can happen when legal planning checks are overlooked. Our advice?
• Start with Documentation: Don’t wait until there’s a challenge. Apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness mobile home status as your first step.
• Engage the Experts: Specialist consultants like NAPC understand mobile home law — and how to present your case clearly to the council.
• Avoid Reactive Planning: It’s far cheaper and quicker to get things right up front than to deal with enforcement or appeals later.
How NAPC Can Help
At NAPC, we make the planning process simple, stress-free and compliant. Our services include:
• Application Assistance: We manage the full Certificate of Lawfulness mobile home application process on your behalf.
• Expert Guidance: Every site is different — our planners offer tailored advice to suit your goals.
• Compliance Checks: We’ll review your plans to ensure everything meets the required legal and planning criteria before installation.
✅ Ready to Start Your Mobile Home Project?
If you’re planning to site a mobile home within your garden, let’s get it right from the start. Contact NAPC for expert advice and end-to-end support on securing your Certificate of Lawfulness mobile home status. Peace of mind is just one application away.
