Owning a Holiday Caravan or Lodge

Are you looking for, or are interested in, buying a caravan or lodge holiday home?

You may be amazed at the range of luxury features the modern caravan has as standard: fully-equipped bathroom, built-in microwave, full sized cooker and refrigerator, central heating, double-glazing, and most of the other home comforts.

You could own a second home, in the country, at the seaside, by a lake shore - your very own 'escape to the country'!

Enjoy whole family holidays in comfort as most manufacturers of caravan holiday homes produce 2 and 3 bedroom models sleeping up to 10 people.

You can buy a holiday caravan as your second home, in a vast choice of locations, for a fraction of the cost of an apartment or cottage.

A holiday home really is a fantastic investment for your leisure time because a holiday home provides an enjoyable leisure lifestyle for you and your whole family.

You could even sub-let to help offset the buying or running costs of your 'home from home'. (Check that the park allows this)

Q & A

What will it cost?
With new caravan prices starting at around £14,000 to over £50,000, the average cost of a reasonable quality caravan is around £25,000 - £30,000. To buy this with finance over 10 years would cost you at least £350 a month. The sad news is that after 10 years it would only be worth around £5,000 part exchange or £500 - £1,000 cash!

What are the annual running costs?
A breakdown of costs would include the annual site fees, water rates, gas, sewerage, and insurance. These vary from park to park, but typically cost £2,000 to £5,000 a year.

Can I move my holiday home to another pitch/park?
Check before buying if the management allows movement within the park (for a fee). Usually there would be no problem. Equally there would be no objection to you moving your caravan to another park, although in practice most parks won't take caravans they have not sold you so that may not be an option.

Can I love permanently in my holiday home?
No. Most parks are not open for the full 12 months, and in any case full time residence is not permitted as they are licenced as Holiday Parks, not Residential parks.

How long will the park be open?
The season usually runs from Easter to October. However more and more parks are open 11 months.

Are children welcome?
Yes, on most parks. There will even be facilities for children, ranging from play parks to a full program of entertainment on bigger parks. There are some parks designated only for adults, where children (under 18 years) are not permitted, even as day visitors.

Are pets welcome?
There are very few parks that do not allow pets, although all lay down rules, e.g. Only one pet per unit; dogs must be on lead at all times around the park; owners must clean up after their pet.

Check on your rights

Copies of the full Code of Practice may be available in park offices. If not, you can obtain one by sending an A4-size s.a.e. to either of the following:

The British Holiday & Home Parks Association,
Chichester House,
Pullman Court,
Great Westem Road,
Gloucester GL1 3HD.
British Holiday & Home Parks Association Website

The National Caravan Council,
Catherine House,
Victoria Road,
Aldershot,
Hampshire GU11 1SS.
National Caravan Council Website

Other consumer advice for the holiday caravan owner

OFT 'Fairer Contracts For Holiday Caravanners'

OFT 'A guide to unfair terms in agreements for static holiday caravans'

'Caravan Park Owners Urged To Make Fairer Contract'

OFT 'Guidance on caravan contract terms '