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Buying Guide
Buying a Holiday Caravan? 5 Things to Check Before You Sign
Owning a holiday caravan or lodge is a big step up from renting one — here's what's worth checking before you commit to a park.
Buying your own holiday caravan or lodge can be brilliant — but the site fees, age limits and resale rules differ wildly between parks and operators, and they're easy to miss when you're excited about a show-home viewing.
Here are five things worth checking before you sign anything, whichever park or operator you're considering.
1
What the annual site fee actually covers
Site or pitch fees can run into four figures a year and usually rise annually, often in line with RPI or set at the park's discretion. Ask exactly what's included — maintenance, grounds, security — and get next year's fee schedule in writing, not just this year's number.
2
How long you're allowed to keep the caravan on site
Most UK holiday parks set an age limit on units, commonly somewhere between 10 and 15 years, after which you're required to replace or remove it. Ask the park directly what their current limit is, not just what the salesperson says.
3
How many weeks a year you can actually use it
Holiday parks are licensed for leisure use, not permanent residence, and most close for part of the year — commonly January and February. Check the exact open season before you buy, especially if you're picturing frequent short breaks out of season.
4
What happens when you want to sell
Some parks require you to sell through them and take a commission on the sale; others let you sell privately. Ask about resale rules and any commission before you commit, not after you've already bought.
5
What's actually included in the advertised price
Siting, connection to services, decking, skirting and insurance are sometimes separate costs on top of the headline price. Get a full, itemised quote so you can compare deals between parks like for like.
This is general guidance to help you ask the right questions — not financial advice. Always get the full written terms, fee schedule and resale policy from the park itself before signing anything.