There is no denying that buying a static caravan, or any other type of holiday home is an exciting experience, however, as with any large financial transaction it is important to evaluate all aspects of ownership before jumping in at the deep end. We have put together a list of the potential pitfalls that should be avoided when purchasing a static caravan.
Buying the static caravan itself is the largest cost, however it is not the only cost. The purchase of a static caravan brings with it a number of ongoing annual expenses which need to be factored into the overall budget. These include the following:
This is an annual fee; the amount can vary considerably depending on the park and the facilities it has to offer – average prices are between £2,200 and £5,000 plus. Some parks will expect payment in full on a set date whereas others will allow staggered payments in instalments.
Gas and electricity are typically on a pay as you go basis, this is another cost that must be included and of course, the greater the use, the greater the bill. Water rates may be included in the site fees, but if not, this is another payable extra. The park management team should be able to offer an approximate average figure for utility bills to help get an idea.
Much in the same way as any type of residential property, insurance for your static caravan is important and offers peace of mind against the unexpected. There are different types of insurance available for static caravans offering varying levels of cover.
Most static caravan owners pay a professional engineer to disconnect their gas and electricity at the end of every season to winter down their static caravan. Wintering down is an essential part of static caravan maintenance to ensure damage prevention over the winter period. Some people choose to save money and do the wintering down themselves, but many opt to pay for this to save time and effort and to ensure it is done correctly.
The terms and conditions or pitch licence agreement is a legally binding document and should be read through carefully. It highlights that whilst the static caravan unit is owned by the owners, the pitch that it is located upon remains the property of the park and the plot is only ever rented rather than bought. The pitch licence agreement will typically state what changes can and cannot be made to the plot as well as defining which party is responsible for what in terms of maintenance responsibilities.
Sometimes the dream static caravan is not found within the dream park, in this case relocation is an option, this will incur not only the fee of the pitch in the new park, but also disconnection and transportation fees.
Each static caravan park has its own rules and regulations on what is or isn’t allowed. Some parks have an age limit on the static caravans sited in their park, many parks do not allow lettings, some have curfews, and in most parks, renovations and changes to the static caravan are also subject to park rules and regulations – all of this should be carefully studied before signing on the dotted line.
Location is an essential consideration as different regions suit different people. It is a good idea to visit the park in person before buying to get a feel of the place, most parks will offer potential buyers a tour of the park grounds and the facilities on offer. It is also a good idea to explore the local area to find out what activities and amenities are available nearby.
Choosing a park that is further than a 3-hour drive from your home may not seem an issue initially, however over time a long journey becomes off putting, taking up several hours of the day, not to mention plenty of fuel. By choosing a static caravan park closer to your main residence you are more likely to get better use out of it – it is also much easier than when travelling with small children.
Our static caravan park is located in the scenic Mid Wales countryside on an expansive 47-acre site. We offer a range of both new and used static caravans for sale at different price points to suit varying budgets.
The Fir View static caravan management team have years of experience in the management of static caravans and can offer comprehensive advice on the buying process as well as ongoing maintenance. For more information, get in touch today to speak to one of the team.
Top