Static caravan purchase is it worth buying

Yes, that is a valid point too, but (and I am repeating myself as I can’t stress this too strongly) there is no protection against everything changing overnight and the good experience owners have being replaced by bad ones.

Sites can become pet-free, for instance, or their numbers limited, so people have to choose between their home from home and their pet, or pay kennel charges when they use their caravan. Charges for sheds, decks, gazebos, wifi etc can be deliberately prohibitive so people can’t afford them. Rents rise, as do fuel charges. Rules about things like the number of cars per unit can make it impossible for people to use their units as they have always done. And so on.

One person on the HPAG page can no longer get shopping delivered because of a rule change. She is disabled and can’t get to the site shop, and taxis are no longer allowed on the site so she can’t use her lodge unless there is someone with her as she can’t store enough groceries to last more than a few days. She is probably not alone in having that change thrust upon her.

I have no vested interest in putting anyone off buying - we will want to sell some day, so it is against my interests to do so. I just feel that people should know all the possibilities before parting with money.

Eloethan

I have seen several TV programmes that would put me off buying a static caravan.

Even if you have a decent site owner, they may retire and a new owner can bring in all sorts of new rules that might adversely affect you. I believe a lot of sites have stipulations as to how old a caravan can be. I remember one family being so happy that they had used money inherited from a parent to buy the caravan that they had visited as a family throughout the years. I think it was two years later they were told they would have to dispose of the caravan or move it because it was too old. It was so sad - they felt bad that the money had been wasted. Site fees can go up too and don't seem to have any sort of regulation.

Also, wouldn't you feel bound to visit the caravan for breaks and holidays simply because you have paid for it and also have to pay yearly fees? It might therefore stop you visiting other areas.

All very valid points, but we bought one because we are done with travelling in the main and want some peace and quiet away from our three remaining adult children (& friends and dogs) still living at home!

I have seen several TV programmes that would put me off buying a static caravan.

Even if you have a decent site owner, they may retire and a new owner can bring in all sorts of new rules that might adversely affect you. I believe a lot of sites have stipulations as to how old a caravan can be. I remember one family being so happy that they had used money inherited from a parent to buy the caravan that they had visited as a family throughout the years. I think it was two years later they were told they would have to dispose of the caravan or move it because it was too old. It was so sad - they felt bad that the money had been wasted. Site fees can go up too and don't seem to have any sort of regulation.

Also, wouldn't you feel bound to visit the caravan for breaks and holidays simply because you have paid for it and also have to pay yearly fees? It might therefore stop you visiting other areas.

Agreed, Cossy.

Doodledog

“I wouldn't like to see anyone fall for the salesmen and buy a dream that becomes a nightmare, though.”

Neither would I and long may we, you and any other lodge owners enjoy them to the full

I wonder if Rubydooby will come back and tell us of her decision ??

Good.

I am in my lodge as I type and am very happy too, although the weather could be better. My point though is that tomorrow things could be different for both of us, however happy we are today.

The OP asked about pros and cons, and there are definitely both. A lot of people come onto the Holiday Park Action Group saying how lovely things are for them and assume that those who have lost tens of thousands are foolish (or they are trying to convince themselves that they are immune from similar treatment). A year later, several have been back asking for help because they have found out that until there is proper regulation nobody is above being treated badly.

I hope that doesn't happen to you, and in over 25 years it hasn't happened to us. Since our site went from family-run to a chain, though, we have seen a lot of changes, mostly financial demands for things we don't necessarily want. We are not blind to the fact that things could get worse either. If the OP knows what can happen and decides to go ahead, then that's her choice. I wouldn't like to see anyone fall for the salesmen and buy a dream that becomes a nightmare, though.

Doodledog

Much depends on individual priorities though. We like using our own things that we leave there, we don’t approve of second homes that take from housing stock, and we absolutely don’t want entertainment and ‘facilities. We like knowing who the neighbours are and the fact that on an owners-only site everyone has an interest in being considerate and well-behaved.

For us, a lodge on a holiday park is, in theory, the perfect solution, and it would be if there were proper regulation of the industry. The lifestyle is great and we do it with clear conscience. The problems for owners are as I described above however, and these are not inconsiderable, particularly as sites can (and often do) change hands overnight, so the advice to ‘do your research’ before buying is utterly pointless.

We are preparing to go to our owners only leisure static caravan on Friday, for the 5th time since we bought it 9 weeks ago. It’s dog friendly, small and no renters. We still love it. It is owned by a large holiday park business who have sites all over the UK and although, of course, it could be sold on, it is unlikely.

We have a fair site agreement and a 30 year licence.

It’s very well maintained and nice and quiet.

We have a static and love it. When we were thinking of buying ours I too put a post on here and have to say most of the responses were negative due to what’s already been said here, expensive site fees, etc. As long as you are aware of the pitfalls and accept them, it will be fine. I too considered a motor home but opted for the static as hubby wasn’t keen on driving everywhere due to busy roads etc then not having transport to explore the area unless you move it off site. We visited the area we wanted many times and looked at various site before deciding and I would definitely recommend this. I would imagine you would get plenty of use in retirement so I would say go for it!

We bought a pre-owned static caravan 3 years ago on a small, private site near Poole. We thought it would be perfect for us. The owners are lovely , the site pristine, and we could take our two dogs. But our daughter passed away suddenly and our granddaughter and their dog came to live with us. I thought the caravan would still be a great getaway for us all.. but, here comes the big problem. Our granddaughter has become a teenager and would rather be with friends than with two 'old people' in a caravan. And we are now dictated by school holidays, which means busier roads and more crowded places to visit. I know that our situation is not (thank god) a typical one, but it does mean that we are unable to use the caravan very much - and because it's our personal space, I don't want to let it out. I would say, if you can afford the costs of owning your own static caravan and have the time to use it, go for it! 100%

Much depends on individual priorities though. We like using our own things that we leave there, we don’t approve of second homes that take from housing stock, and we absolutely don’t want entertainment and ‘facilities. We like knowing who the neighbours are and the fact that on an owners-only site everyone has an interest in being considerate and well-behaved.

For us, a lodge on a holiday park is, in theory, the perfect solution, and it would be if there were proper regulation of the industry. The lifestyle is great and we do it with clear conscience. The problems for owners are as I described above however, and these are not inconsiderable, particularly as sites can (and often do) change hands overnight, so the advice to ‘do your research’ before buying is utterly pointless.

We regularly visit reputable caravan holiday sites throughout the year for a few hundred £s a trip. These sites have leisure facilities, clubhouse, entertainment etc all yr round.
We’ve visited one in the Cotswolds 3 times this year already.
Excellent value.
Everything is ready when we arrive. Clean sheets/towels provided etc.
If you don’t feel the need to own a caravan, you have the freedom to travel and holiday at so many lovely sites free of fees and utility costs.
We worked out that we could travel around uk sites for many weeks a year at less than half the cost of buying and paying fees for a static caravan in one location.
We own a small studio flat in a popular seaside resort which costs us less than a caravan in maintenance fees and has increased in value over 10 years. We pay council tax but it’s still better value than caravan fees.
Just our experience but maybe useful for others when making decisions.

In my opinion I would have to say NO ...I bought two ..brand new one for me friends etc and one new smaller one to rent out. Put a substantial amount of money on my account, to cover gas bottles, charges etc ......the summer I first had it it was rented out all the time (I know, as I passed it en route to mine) ...BUT at the end of the year, I was asked for a considerable amount of money for gas, electricity, etc .........there was more than sufficient in my account to cover it, I WAS TOLD that money had been used (on what ?) I asked for bills, etc .........none were forthcoming .....I wrote to their head office but was ignored. I was not the only one ...in fact, someone else who had bought one (like mine, nearly £100,000 for the big new one !) said 'if you had have asked me, I would have said DONT touch it with a bargepole. Never Again ......I sold them both at a really big loss, but I was glad to get rid of them from a company I now know is known locally as SHARKDEAN ............think carefuly !

My friend is now struggling as site fees, rates, insurances etc come to over £600 each month. Initially having spent over £27000 on the mobile home. She often says she wishes she had just used the money on luxury breaks or even cheap B&B's as she would not have spent anywhere near as much and would have benefited from being able to explore new places with out the concern of maintaining a holiday home. When she sells, the site agents will take a proportion. It has been an expensive mistake I'm afraid.

Also forgot add that we let family and friends use it when they visit us. It gives both of us that little bit of extra privacy but still close enough to holler that tea is ready. ;)😉

We have a motorhome that gets used quite often. Several of our extended family also own motorhomes or travel trailers so we make plans to all meet at a campsite and have a family holiday once or twice a year.
It's also nice to have when we are driving several hours to visit family as we can just stop at a pullout to make lunch or if one of us need a potty break. And when we get where we are going most of our family have large enough yards we can park on their property.

A temporary holiday home by the sound of other Grans' comments

We have a static on a holiday park just outside New Romney which we would like to sell as we lived in it while waiting for our new build to be ready. We had a really enjoyable summer in it, on a site with a pool and a nature reserve just outside. Its good for having a dog there. It is a small friendly park on a former farm. We are thinking of listing it with a local estate agency. I would recommend having one as a holiday home.

Sounds like an awful lot of money for something that’s going to lose value quite quickly. Why not just go and stay in a luxury B&B or a small hotel when you want to get away on a whim?

Blind not blond🙄

When my mum n dad decided to give up their static, they had to pay the owners a years rates nearly 3,000!! They weren’t allowed to sell the van, they had to leave it there or pay a fortune to have it towed away, they were robbed blond. New owners took over changed all the rules. This was near Heysham overlooking the river Lune. Yes the van was older but was still within in the life of the van stated to be on the site .

My parents took on a long term tenancy if a farm cottage that was no longer needed for a farm worker. The rent was very reasonable much cheaper than buying a caravan and paying site fees etc. Maybe they were lucky but it worked out well

JoJo60
That’s why we tow a smart car behind the motohome.
Having said that 90% of our touring is in Europe.

My husband and I had tourers and latterly a static on a small site. There for many years until it was taken over. Site fees, flew up, rules were changed so caravans had to be 10 years or under, sold back to owners and new bought through them with an almost 50% mark up.
Most of the regulars slowly left including me. My children loved going there and latterly my grandchildren. I really miss just being able to go when I wanted without having to book months in advance for a holiday cottage or static somewhere else. I got peanuts for my caravan from the site owner who sold it for three times what he gave me. These sites are being taken over by greedy, unscrupulous people so I for one would not buy another static.

This is a useful read
www.gov.uk/park-mobile-homes