Static caravan purchase ?

[Alex321]

The way static caravans are all 'dealt with' also has put a big question on us buying a motorhome as it's a similar industry, and lots of issues around manufacturers not wanting to fix issues, putting that on a dealer. We're going for a people carrier van, and getting a fold out bed kit that lives in the boot. I don't trust them since we had a van for 10 years. Lots of empty plots on the site we were on now !

I don't think there is much similarity between the "industries" of state caravans and motorhomes. They are both part of the leisure industry, but that is about it.

Much more similarity between buying a car and buying a motorhome.

 

[T4tomo]

The way static caravans are all 'dealt with' also has put a big question on us buying a motorhome as it's a similar industry, and lots of issues around manufacturers not wanting to fix issues, putting that on a dealer. We're going for a people carrier van, and getting a fold out bed kit that lives in the boot. I don't trust them since we had a van for 10 years. Lots of empty plots on the site we were on now !

With a Motorhome your free to "shop around" as to where you park it.

The fundamental issue with Statics is you don't own the land its parked on and the owner is pretty much free make up a whole load of rules and conditions, including fees for using it; fees for using their facilities; when its deemed "too old" to still be parked there; when and how you can move it, which is always with a a big fee, or potentially only being able to sell back to them. etc.

 

[Fastpedaller]

This is the very reason that some legal protection is required and this is what the HPAG ( Holiday Park Action Group ) are campaigning for. At this time Carol Keeble (admin on HPAG) says you have more protection in law when buying a toaster than buying a static caravan on a holiday park. Residential sites are better protected in law.

A favourite quote of my own is "you get more warranty if you buy a box of matches than you do when you buy a house"

The key with warranties/comeback is the value of the goods! ......... Try returning your toaster - no real problem. Reject a faulty car - very difficult. Reject a new (or pre-owned) house - impossible! even if it's got major problems.

 

[fossyant]

With a Motorhome your free to "shop around" as to where you park it.

The fundamental issue with Statics is you don't own the land its parked on and the owner is pretty much free make up a whole load of rules and conditions, including fees for using it; fees for using their facilities; when its deemed "too old" to still be parked there; when and how you can move it, which is always with a a big fee, or potentially only being able to sell back to them. etc.

I know all too well. We were 'kicked off' our site last year as the van was 'too old'. Could only fine one other site that would have accepted it, but it was full and in the middle of no-where. We've binned that level of commitment off, and have a rather nice tent. Done 28 nights under canvas this year. Going to supplement that with a van that we could over-night in if needed.

 

[Scaleyback]

With a Motorhome your free to "shop around" as to where you park it.

The fundamental issue with Statics is you don't own the land its parked on and the owner is pretty much free make up a whole load of rules and conditions, including fees for using it; fees for using their facilities; when its deemed "too old" to still be parked there; when and how you can move it, which is always with a a big fee, or potentially only being able to sell back to them. etc.

And when a good (family owned) site changes hands you are at the mercy of the new owners wishes. They purchase these sites to make money, that usually means wholesale changes to current conditions and costs. Raise objections ' cause trouble ' and they will remove you from the park.

 

[fossyant]

And when a good (family owned) site changes hands you are at the mercy of the new owners wishes. They purchase these sites to make money, that usually means wholesale changes to current conditions and costs. Raise objections ' cause trouble ' and they will remove you from the park.

Lions have done that with many sites in North Wales. You've got to be aware that you'll get 10 years on a site and it will be expensive. We loved going and getting away from the daily bustle at home. We looked at renewing, but £30k for a used van and maybe 10 more years at £4.5k ground rent - total outlay £75k, we went nope.

I bought a good tent. Plan is to get out and about more at weekends, camp, maybe overnight in a van (to be purchased) and use hotels - still way cheaper, and we get to see more places.

 

[T4tomo]

We looked at renewing, but £30k for a used van and maybe 10 more years at £4.5k ground rent - total outlay £75k, we went nope.

fark me that's an awful lot of weeks renting someone else's caravan, forest lodge, B&B etc. Even the ground rent alone would go a long way...

 

[derrick]

Seen a new one for sale at £125k

Thats £125k you will never see again.

 

[fossyant]

fark me that's an awful lot of weeks renting someone else's caravan, forest lodge, B&B etc. Even the ground rent alone would go a long way...

Yep - we got 'stuck' with the van as it was the in-laws, and they said you can have it (and pay for it). Difficult to say no as they were alive for the time we 'took it over' - only went after they 'died'. But £4.5k is a heck of a lot (excluding purchase) and you can do a fair amount with that !

It was great for cycling as I left my best bike down there as the roads are far quieter, but my kids are grown up and don't want to holiday with us, so time to go exploring. We used the van as a base for getting around North Wales. My sister has a van and they never go anywhere, not even 30 minutes away to another village/seaside town.

 

[Scaleyback]

I think the Daily Mail has published an article today about the pitfalls of static caravan ownership.

 

[T4tomo]

I think the Daily Mail has published an article today about the pitfalls of static caravan ownership.

I think the DM has a mole permanently logged into cyclechat....

 

[Scaleyback]

Another horror story from HPAG (Holiday Park Action Group) on Facebook.

" Wish we had known about the page before we purchased a lodge in January of this year for £85000 through Property Vault Estate Agents on Brickyard Lakes Country Park owned by Prestige Country Parks. We cancelled within the required period and Property Vault is not registered at Companies House, do not have a CRN and still trading amd still selling lodges for Prestige Country Parks. So now pursuing through High Court as we are still awaiting a full refund. "

10 months and 85,000 out of pocket.
Join the group, (not for the fainthearted) and be amazed what rogues can get away with in our ' civilised society '

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

My brother-in-law told me the site owners tell you that you can live on the site all year round.That is a lie as they and everyone else have to get off for two weeks as it's not supposed to be your permanent residency
He says local Council officials will come round the site every now and then and ask people to show them proof of their permanent residencies if they can't or say it's the caravan park they get turfed off.
What with this and the ever increasing site rates he's selling up and going to live with a family member.

 

[fossyant]

My brother-in-law told me the site owners tell you that you can live on the site all year round.That is a lie as they and everyone else have to get off for two weeks as it's not supposed to be your permanent residency
He says local Council officials will come round the site every now and then and ask people to show them proof of their permanent residencies if they can't or say it's the caravan park they get turfed off.
What with this and the ever increasing site rates he's selling up and going to live with a family member.

The site we were on, were open for upto 10 1/2 months - we used to only pay for 8 months, then close up. Those that do live there, usually jet off to Spain for the six or seven weeks it's closed.

 

[Scaleyback]

My brother-in-law told me the site owners tell you that you can live on the site all year round.That is a lie as they and everyone else have to get off for two weeks as it's not supposed to be your permanent residency
He says local Council officials will come round the site every now and then and ask people to show them proof of their permanent residencies if they can't or say it's the caravan park they get turfed off.
What with this and the ever increasing site rates he's selling up and going to live with a family member.

My information is that sites with 'only' a holiday licence are selling caravans & lodges as residential ! Some councils are ignoring this breach of regulations because enforcement of the rules will result in people needing rehoming and councils do not have the accommodation available.
Don't get me started on the lack of social housing and the sale of council housing stock years ago.