Ten questions to ask before buying a static caravan

Owning a static caravan offers you the perfect lifestyle if you want to enjoy staycations whenever you like, but there are a number of key questions you need to ask before you take the plunge.

Different parks have different running costs, so it's really important to be clear on exactly what you'll need to pay on top of the initial purchase price of the caravan itself.

Here at Woodland Park, we pride ourselves on having a completely transparent sales process, with no unexpected fees, so you know exactly how much the annual running costs are on our glorious park.

So, if you're thinking of buying a static caravan to spend more of your leisure time in the place you love, we've put together ten key things you need to find out so you know exactly what static caravan ownership involves.

Is the park owners-only?

When you're looking at parks, it's worth finding out whether they are exclusively for static caravan owners, or whether some units are for holiday use, as this can change your holiday experience.

Owners-only holiday parks offer a more consistent experience, with a strong community feel. You arrive at your caravan knowing who your neighbours are – who are very often like-minded people who quickly become friends!

A park that is a mix of owned caravans and rentals may mean that each stay is a lottery, as one weekend you might have nice, friendly, quiet neighbours and another stay could see you next to a stag weekend!

What are the annual site fees?

Static caravan site fees are one of the biggest areas of interest for anyone researching UK holiday parks, as it's something that will need to be factored in each year. This is because even though you are asked to pay site fees wherever you buy a static caravan, they can vary drastically depending on the park.

You can generally expect to pay between £3,800 and £7,000 plus.

Why do site fees vary so much?

• Facilities: Generally, if a park has lots of facilities such as a swimming pool, spa, and other leisure facilities then the site fees are likely to be higher to go towards their running costs.

• Length of season: Holiday parks are non-residential so they have to have a closure period each year. Some parks have longer seasons than others, and the length of the season may mean higher site fees, but it does mean you have more access to your holiday home throughout the year.

• Location: A holiday park in a desirable location with plenty of local attractions will typically come with premium site fee costs. Bear in mind that different plots within the same park will also come with different site fees. For example, a pitch position with sea views, next to a lake or closer to the clubhouse and facilities may attract higher site fees.

What does the site fee include?

Site fees are annual costs and covers the rent of the piece of land your holiday home is on as well as contributing towards park maintenance costs, on-site security and rubbish collection.

They do not cover utilities such as gas and electricity and are reviewed yearly, so it's important to understand how much your pitch fees may increase.

At Woodland Park, our site fees include ground rent, mains water and sewage. The fees also include complimentary membership to our on-site leisure facilities at Trimingham Leisure Club, whereby owners can enjoy unlimited access to our beautiful indoor pool, gym, sauna, steam room and spa pool. Owners also benefit from being part of a clubhouse loyalty scheme.

How long is the licence agreement?

All holiday parks will have a time limit for how long your static caravan can be situated on the pitch, which will be detailed within the licence agreement.

It's worth noting that the length of time relates to the age of the static caravan, not how long you've owned it, so newer holiday homes will come with a longer licence period. If you like a pre-owned static caravan that is already sited, it's important to find out how long remains on the licence.

Once a licence expires, you'll need to decide if you want to upgrade to a new static caravan or sell your caravan, which we come on to a little later.

At Woodland Park, we operate a 15 year licence for new static caravans.

What are the running costs?

Just the same as any property, a static caravan is subject to things like utility bills and internet charges. However, as it isn't your main residence, you don't pay any council tax.

It's also advisable to protect your static caravan with insurance, and many parks, like us at Woodland Park, require you to have it. Specialist static caravan insurance is available from a number of insurers, and prices vary so it's worth shopping around.

Am I able to rent out my static caravan?

Owning a static caravan in the UK should definitely be seen as a lifestyle investment rather than a financial one. The flexibility of being able to pack a few clothes and escape to your very own home-away-from-home in the place you love returning to is reason enough to buy a static caravan!

If you are looking to cover some of the annual site fees through letting income then it's important you do your research, as not all parks allow sub-letting.

If you do decide to sub-let, you'll be responsible for making sure the caravan is well-maintained and has all of the necessary safety checks in the same way any landlord does.

We are an owners-exclusive park, and don't allow sub-letting. This is to retain the strong community that's been built here. Owners value the consistent experience of every stay, and know that they can leave their belongings in their caravan, and fully relax each time they come.

Can I sell my caravan privately?

Finding out what happens when you no longer want your static caravan for whatever reason is certainly something to include during your research.

There may be a few options available to you in terms of how you sell your caravan, but you will need to check the park rules or speak with the park operator. It may be that the holiday park will manage the sales process on your behalf. This would include:

• Marketing the property by listing it on their website

• Handling enquiries and viewings

• Manage the paperwork and arrangements.

Other methods include selling the caravan privately (but you would need to be clear if this was allowed by the park) or selling the it back to the park. Certainly, selling the holiday home back to the park is the easiest and quickest option, especially as pre-owned caravans are often in demand.

What is the park season?

If you're buying a static caravan there's a good chance you want to be able to spend plenty of time there! With this in mind, while you're visiting parks, find out the length of their season to make sure you can make the most of your retreat.

Our season at Woodland Park is a generous 46 weeks, meaning you have access to your static caravan for most of the year.

Are pets allowed?

One of the best things about being a static caravan owner is that it's yours to do with as you please (within reason!) and that you don't have the organisational and travel stresses of regular holidays. This includes not having to find a dog-sitter, as most UK holiday parks are extremely dog-friendly.

Of course, it's worth checking with the park operator, and there may be restrictions within any on-site facilities, but generally speaking, holiday parks are ideal for dog-owners.

And, because holiday parks are typically situated in stunning surroundings with countryside and coast on your doorstep, you don't have to look far for some perfect dog walks to blow away the cobwebs.

What facilities are available?

Depending on what you're looking for from a holiday park will determine how important this question is. Some people want a park with plenty of facilities and entertainment for the whole family. Other people want to escape to a peaceful park surrounded by the sounds and sights of nature.

Knowing what sort of park would suit you will guide your search from day one. If a park's facilities are important to you but you still want a quiet, relaxed park, then Woodland Park needs to be on your 'parks to visit' list.

Our 80 acres of wooded parkland, complete with a fishing lake, nature walks and countryside views encourages every visitor to put any worries aside, let go of the stresses of day-to-day life, and be in the present moment.

But our owners also benefit from our on-site clubhouse, complete with restaurant and bar, and leisure facilities including indoor pool and gym.

Ready to take the next step?

Asking the right questions will help you to feel fully in control of the buying process, knowing you have all the facts and don't have to worry about anything. Of course, if you do have any more questions, our sales team are happy to help, so please don't hesitate to get in touch.