Many people in Ireland are turning to manufactured homes for permanent accommodation following the housing crisis.
Amid the crisis, modern manufactured homes are built with reasonable size, quality, and other incredible specs. Manufactured homes are indeed hard to beat.
Placing one on your land grants you homeownership freedom without spending much as you would do for a site-built home.
Unfortunately, it is not as straight forward as anyone would like since you cannot place one just anywhere.
So, Can You Put A Manufactured Home On Your Own Land In Ireland?
As a matter of fact, installing one on any site for living purposes requires planning permission.
Land use regulations in Ireland are tricky with a myriad of restrictions and outright prohibitions; therefore, you must consult.
However, some interesting possibilities may arise if the manufactured home is a temporary structure.
Are you still in a dilemma? Do not worry.
This article will comprehensively answer the question on the placement of manufactured homes in Ireland.
It will also offer useful advice on aspects and things to consider when installing a manufactured home on your land. Let’s get started.
What Do You Require To Install A Manufactured Home On Your land?
“Does installing a manufactured home in Ireland require planning permission?”
This perhaps the most asked question of the year.
A simple answer would be – it might.
The rules concerning the installation of a manufactured home on your very own land are relatively simple.
Generally, you can put a manufactured home on-site on your land for up to nine months without planning permission. However, according to Ireland’s planning system, the manufactured home should be in ‘dry-camp’ mode and not connected to any services.
The Planning and Development Act exempts small structures within the curtilage of the house.
Whether you are installing a temporary or permanent structure, it is advisable to understand the mobile home installation requirements upfront.
This is handy if you want to avoid future frustrations and headaches.
Typically, you will need
- planning permission
- zoning compliance
- and bringing required utilities to the site.
Besides bringing permanent services like waste treatment plant, electricity, and water supply, it is prudent to consider property deed restrictions.
If you are putting a manufactured home on your property temporarily, say when your permanent dwelling is getting remodeled, you might not need a separate planning permit.
In such a case, you will need to include a statement about the temporary structure when submitting the planning application for the primary dwelling.
However, this might not be the case if you want to bring utilities into the temporary structure.
As mentioned earlier, minor extensions or modifications of existing houses might not need planning permission.
Buying The Site And Getting Planning Permission
Undoubtedly, you will need an ideal property where you can place your manufactured home.
Ideally, building and placement permits are regulated by local governments. Without assuming other obvious factors that count, let’s start with buying land and talking to the planning department.
For the purpose of buying land where you will install your manufactured home, you will need legal advice from a chattered solicitor.
Ideally, you should ensure no zoning restrictions that prohibit using the land for a manufactured home. It is advisable to hire a professional local agent to acquire the land for you.
Agents will ultimately guide you through the land buying process in Ireland, which can save you a considerable amount of time.
Other essential land aspects to consider, including neighborhood and ground conditions, will be discussed later.
On the other hand, getting a planning permit involves consulting with a suitable and qualified planning consultant.
The planner will make the application on your behalf and ensure all the necessary regulations are adhered to.
Again, it is advisable to get in touch with a planning consultant in the local authority where you are buying the piece of land.
Fortunately, this is not difficult as there are plenty of planning and development surveyors specializing in domestic planning available online.
Seven Additional Factors To Consider When Installing A Manufactured Home On Your Land In Ireland
A developmental approval and zoning requirements are not all you need to put a home on your property.
Here are other essential things to keep an eye on before making an ultimate decision.
1. Utilities
Apparently, you will need electricity, water, and other essentials in your new manufactured home.
Ideally, it is good to buy land where such utilities are readily available for connectivity.
If utilities are not available, do not overlook the piece of land and assume it is not worth your dollar.
Such properties tend to have relatively lower prices.
However, it is ideal to weigh the cost of buying a property with utilities and purchasing land without utilities to install them later. Either way, go for the cheaper option.
2. Legal Access And Transport Permit
It is a no-brainer that a manufactured home will need to be transported to the site.
Therefore, it is a good idea to determine if access is feasible by checking with the local road department.
If you need a driveway, ensure to account for its costs before purchasing the land.
Since manufactured homes are significantly large, it is likely that you need an oversized-load transportation permit.
At times the installer of your manufactured home can take care of the transportation permit.
3. Connection To Waste Treatment Plant
Another critical factor to consider when installing a manufactured home is a sewer connection, especially if you’re buying in town.
The land on which you intend to install your manufactured home should be connected to waste disposal.
If it is not connected, ensure you can make a connection that is not cost-prohibitive.
For people intending to stay in a rural area, make sure you can install a septic system.
Septic may need considerable space because of the obvious requirement of the drain field.
Putting sewage in rural might suffer if the soil doesn’t pass the necessary tests, consequently affecting the installation of your home.
4. Type Of Foundation
Manufactured homes must be attached to the foundation.
The types of foundation required may vary significantly from one county to another, subject to local jurisdictions.
Primarily, the foundation type needed depends on the construction site and manufactured home design.
Some regions in Ireland experience snow loads; therefore, you might need to account for snow.
5. Land Size
We cannot overlook the obvious.
You will need to buy a piece of land large enough to hold the manufactured home.
The smallest area of your property where you can install a manufactured home is a quarter acre.
A more extensive land will be better. A manufactured home, and any other home for that matter, require to have several feet around the house.
6. Price
All development projects involve a considerable amount of money.
Having a home is also a significant investment, and perhaps the largest investment in your lifetime.
At the end of the deal, you will want to have a great property for money’s value.
Ensure the total price is a good deal. Nevertheless, make sure you are comfortable to reside in the place.
7. Is The Property Within A Flood Plain?
The last thing you want is to install your manufactured home in a floodway.
Ideally, it is good to buy where the risk of seeing your property flooded is minimal.
Property within a floodplain will cost more in getting flood insurance. Understand the risks surrounding your property and plan accordingly for additional expenses.
This factor will definitely influence the amount of land you buy. They will also help you make a better decision so that you don’t end spending more than you intended to.
Related: Is It Bad to Live On or Near a Golf Course?
Are There Structures That Do Not Require Planning Permission In Ireland?
As a matter of fact, all homes in Ireland require planning permission because they are classified as habitable dwellings.
Therefore, if you are installing a manufactured home on your property for living purposes, there is no short cut.
The rule applies regardless of whether you are building a tiny house or a complete home.
For this reason, most local jurisdictions permit the building of a home or installation of a manufactured home, not building a tiny home.
But, must you obtain planning permission for every structure? Ireland’s planning system exempts non-habitable dwellings up to 25 square meters from planning permission. Such facilities include but are not limited to; non-habitable garden studios, storage units, and garden offices.
Manufactured homes must be done per the installation code of a given region. In most cases, installation costs are included in the buying price if you are purchasing a brand new home.
Otherwise, you might be required to hire an installer. If this is the case, ensure to hire a manufactured home installer with the necessary license and one who is familiar with the local construction code.
Conclusion
You can put a manufactured home on your very own land in Ireland.
However, it is good to note that you ought to meet all the requirements, including getting a planning permit.
Always keep in mind that land-use regulations in Ireland are tricky.
For this reason, if you fail to follow the correct procedure of installing a manufactured home on your land, you may suffer hectic legal procedures.