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Original poster

Static caravans

15 replies

NormasArse · 24/10/2025 23:05

Hi, I’m seriously considering a static on a site we’ve previously had our tourer on a seasonal pitch on.

The location is stunning. It’s a 50m walk to the cove I swim in daily when I’m there.

I like the site. Nice people own it. I’ve met a few long term folk- they all love it.

I’d love the extended season, and the extra room.

We wouldn’t be allowed to rent it out (not sure I’d want to, but it would help financially).

We’ve worked out costs, and over the 10 year period we would have it, it would cost us £60,000.

I could potentially be there for 4 days a week though. I have done this often in my tourer. It might mean fewer other adventures though…

My dogs love it.

We aren’t rich. This is a head/heart dilemma. I’m not young. I could have this to enjoy until I’m 70.

Actually, writing it down like this makes me more sure I want to.

If you have one, please share your experience!

OP posts:
EuroTour · 24/10/2025 23:15

Have a look at www.facebook.com/groups/1488700298019076/ first

AtlasPine · 24/10/2025 23:21

On some sites you have to change the van every so many years. Worth checking as it’s expensive.

SandStormNorm · 24/10/2025 23:42

I have holiday lets on a holiday park and hire them out. They are leasehold, which gives legal rights and preserves their value over time to some extent. Caravan and lodge units are usually pitched with a site licence, and that is usually heavily weighted in favour of the freehold landlord. You also have to consider if the site went bust, your accommodation would be at risk. The nice people won't be there forever. There is a holiday park action group on facebook which is worth a look before making an investment. I have heard so many horror stories about caravan ownership that I would never get into that. But it is a personal decision. You should ultimately consider the ground rent and service charges per annum plus insurance, and the right of the landlord to inflate these each year (depending on what the site licence says). You might get fed up of going to the site regularly. You might want to hire other owners caravans in other areas, as off peak van hire is cheap now. Sorry if this all sounds doom and gloom. If you can afford it and will get the use out of it, this maybe the opportunity for you. But please seek legal advice on any site licence before you part with that sort of money.

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Cars & vehicles
Original poster
NormasArse · 25/10/2025 09:16

EuroTour · 24/10/2025 23:15

Wow- just read the rules! 😲

OP posts:
Original poster
NormasArse · 25/10/2025 09:23

SandStormNorm · 24/10/2025 23:42

I have holiday lets on a holiday park and hire them out. They are leasehold, which gives legal rights and preserves their value over time to some extent. Caravan and lodge units are usually pitched with a site licence, and that is usually heavily weighted in favour of the freehold landlord. You also have to consider if the site went bust, your accommodation would be at risk. The nice people won't be there forever. There is a holiday park action group on facebook which is worth a look before making an investment. I have heard so many horror stories about caravan ownership that I would never get into that. But it is a personal decision. You should ultimately consider the ground rent and service charges per annum plus insurance, and the right of the landlord to inflate these each year (depending on what the site licence says). You might get fed up of going to the site regularly. You might want to hire other owners caravans in other areas, as off peak van hire is cheap now. Sorry if this all sounds doom and gloom. If you can afford it and will get the use out of it, this maybe the opportunity for you. But please seek legal advice on any site licence before you part with that sort of money.

I understand your points, and they have given me lots to consider.

The nice people probably will be there longer than I will live. It’s a site which has been passed from father to son, and will be again. Some of the long termers have been coming since they were kids. Most have been there a long time and do update their vans, but I know there are a couple of older vans and he told me when I first looked around that he’s never made anyone leave for not updating their van. That said, the site is beautifully looked after and is in a truly stunning location. If I could afford to buy a house there- I would.

I daren’t show DH my thread because he’s naturally more cautious than I am 😂.

OP posts:
AmethystAnnotation · 25/10/2025 09:39

I really wouldn't if you are "not rich". Static caravans can become a millstone round your neck - you are at the mercy of the site who can increase ground rent at their will, and force you to sell the van to them for a fraction of its value in a scam that allows them to evict older vans.

You say it will cost you £60,000 over ten years. Look at it this way - how many caravan holidays would £60,000 pay for, without tying you to one particular site? This could include your tourer but also renting a static if you want the space and comfort, which can be very cheap out of season. If you set £60k aside as a long-term holiday fund, this would also give you the option of other types of holiday should you feel like a change.

I understand the convenience of having all your things in the static, so you can just get in the car and go on holiday with minimal packing, but it's a high price to pay.

KathyDuck · 25/10/2025 10:00

Don’t do it. Cost us thousands and we really regret it.

MikeRafone · 25/10/2025 10:06

We’ve worked out costs, and over the 10 year period we would have it, it would cost us £60,000.

So it would be £16 a night whether you were there onset or not

Why would you want to be tied to one place?
You have a touring van why do you want to swap? I’d love the extended season, and the extra room. why the extended season, why can't you stay in your touring van onsite later in the season and why can't you get a larger touring van or motorhome?
How many nights per year would you use the static van?
Can family and friends use it for free/cost of £16 per night?
What happens if the owners get into issues and have to sell up?

333FionaG · 25/10/2025 10:07

It’s a massive commitment and a lot of money. I would advise against it.

Tollington · 25/10/2025 10:08

Make sure that you really research this and read the T&C’s as I’ve heard some horror stories and people loosing ten of thousands of pounds

NormalForNorfoIk · 25/10/2025 10:10

My parents seriously considered this too, but having factored in all of the annual costs, along with the mandatory replacement of units at X age with all moving / replacement costs set by the park, they backed away sharply. (Ended up buying a motorhome and now typically visit the same park but on the camping pitches, every couple of weeks or so.)

Makemineacosmo · 25/10/2025 10:11

Well there's lots of research needed. My mum and dad had a static van in a beautiful location for about 8 years. They loved it and never regretted it, it just got too much as they got older. It's not cheap, but they felt it was worth it.

WhereTheSpiritMeetsTheBones · 25/10/2025 10:11

Family had a static, yes there were lots of rules and expenses but wonderful memories and family holidays for many years. They then moved permanently to the location and sold the van at a loss.

Original poster
NormasArse · 25/10/2025 12:37

MikeRafone · 25/10/2025 10:06

We’ve worked out costs, and over the 10 year period we would have it, it would cost us £60,000.

So it would be £16 a night whether you were there onset or not

Why would you want to be tied to one place?
You have a touring van why do you want to swap? I’d love the extended season, and the extra room. why the extended season, why can't you stay in your touring van onsite later in the season and why can't you get a larger touring van or motorhome?
How many nights per year would you use the static van?
Can family and friends use it for free/cost of £16 per night?
What happens if the owners get into issues and have to sell up?

I love the location, and would probably normally stay 4 nights a week (I do this during the season in my tourer). I’d let friends and family stay in it, but would set up a site fees account for donations toward those.

There are an extra 3 months in the season for static owners, giving them Christmas and NY.

I can swim and hike where I live now, but I’m not by the sea. This is the furthest I’ve ever lived from the sea and I miss it. Going to the site is like going home.

I suppose the thing that is just niggling at my mind is the money. I do plan to look for land there, and hopefully move the van (with pp), after the 10 years. This is about getting me there in the meantime. I’m 59, but can’t afford to retire fully, but I do have a very small inheritance that I’d be using to partially fund this.

I can’t see the site closing in my lifetime. It’s small and at almost full capacity (two pitches for sale). The owner lives in a house onsite, and that has always been his family home. He’s younger than me.

The other option would be to part ex my van for a bigger tourer, but I’d miss those extra 3 months.

I’m almost sure it’s what I want, but I don’t want to be selfish with that small inheritance.

OP posts:
Original poster
NormasArse · 25/10/2025 12:41

NormalForNorfoIk · 25/10/2025 10:10

My parents seriously considered this too, but having factored in all of the annual costs, along with the mandatory replacement of units at X age with all moving / replacement costs set by the park, they backed away sharply. (Ended up buying a motorhome and now typically visit the same park but on the camping pitches, every couple of weeks or so.)

There are only 7 seasonal pitches, and no camping/touring pitches other than those.

This is actually one of the things holding me back, as I have a lot of friends who camp in vans and tents, and they can’t access this site.

OP posts:
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