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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to move to a holiday park?!

48 replies

kravestix · 27/09/2021 11:32

Currently have a just about affordable mortgage on a terraced house in a not so nice area.

I have seen two bungalows for sale at a nearby Holiday Park. Between 70k and 90k.

Would have to vacate for Part of January and all of February and list permanent address elsewhere.

But it's a nice location and a nice park. Lots of facilities and events. Owner benefits, etc. The location is the biggest draw. I have a young child who I'd like to raise in a nicer area but houses are unaffordable to move anywhere nicer. This seems to be the only way to do it but I'm aware there are draw backs.

Especially the stigma surrounding it. I went to school with a girl who lived on a holiday park and I know she got some stick for it.

So the bungalow would be between 70 - 90k and my house was recently valued between 265k - 275k. Have about 145k on the mortgage.

So AIBU to think this is a sound option?

OP posts:
BlibBlabBlob · 27/09/2021 11:34

Where would you live in January and February?

That'd be the massive issue for me - who cares what people think if you and your DC would be happy there. But being homeless six weeks a year is the thing that would put me right off!

BrieAndChilli · 27/09/2021 11:38

no its not a long term option - the caravans depreciate very quickly in value and some parks have clauses in contracts to say the vans must be newer than a certain age and then you need to replace them for a new model - which can be 1000s and 1000s of pounds.

They are not as insulated as a house so are freezing in winter and cost a bomb in heating.

Where will you go for the time you need to move out?

negomi90 · 27/09/2021 11:39

Where would you live for those 6 weeks? What permanent address would you use? Presumably the permanent address would be the one which counts for school and health care so would have to be nearby.
You are unlikely to own the freehold in a holiday park, land rental and park fees can add up and be increased extortionately without warning.
If its a static caravan/trailer then they depreciate in value and need replacing after 20years or so. Even the home itself would lose the equity you've put into the current mortgage, its pissing money down a drain.

Original poster
kravestix · 27/09/2021 11:39

@BlibBlabBlob

Where would you live in January and February?

That'd be the massive issue for me - who cares what people think if you and your DC would be happy there. But being homeless six weeks a year is the thing that would put me right off!

Yeah, that seems to be the biggest issue. But we have a few options there. Close relatives we can stay with or the option of saving up throughout the year (if we no longer have to pay such a huge mortgage), which gives us the option to save up some money and use that to fund somewhere else to say for the 6 weeks.
OP posts:
LIZS · 27/09/2021 11:39

Check any site fees and service charges.

Original poster
kravestix · 27/09/2021 11:40

Just to add, it isn't a caravan. It's a semi detached bungalow built from bricks and a permanent structure.

OP posts:
jackstini · 27/09/2021 11:41

I know someone who did this and regretted it massively - mostly down to the service charges which made it so much more expensive than she originally thought

Do you know how much they are and is it monthly or annual? Hers were approx £500 a month

Also mobile homes depreciate over time, whilst in general property goes up, so you will be pricing yourself out of ever moving back to standard property easily...

WorraLiberty · 27/09/2021 11:41

I know two people who have done this (albeit in caravan/lodges) and the months they have to vacate are a massive pain in the arse and a real worry for them all year round.

There's no stigma, as a few children in the local school also live on the holiday park (the local council use part of it to 'house' people).

Other than the headache of moving out for a couple of months, it's pretty idyllic really.

Original poster
kravestix · 27/09/2021 11:41

@negomi90

Where would you live for those 6 weeks? What permanent address would you use? Presumably the permanent address would be the one which counts for school and health care so would have to be nearby. You are unlikely to own the freehold in a holiday park, land rental and park fees can add up and be increased extortionately without warning. If its a static caravan/trailer then they depreciate in value and need replacing after 20years or so. Even the home itself would lose the equity you've put into the current mortgage, its pissing money down a drain.
Ah, I hadn't thought about schooling. The permanent address would be a relatives who lives 45 minutes away. So, not great for school catchment.
OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 27/09/2021 11:42

Also mobile homes depreciate over time, whilst in general property goes up, so you will be pricing yourself out of ever moving back to standard property easily...

The OP is looking at buying a bungalow.

Hardbackwriter · 27/09/2021 11:43

But we have a few options there. Close relatives we can stay with or the option of saving up throughout the year (if we no longer have to pay such a huge mortgage), which gives us the option to save up some money and use that to fund somewhere else to say for the 6 weeks.

But with either of those options you don't have another permanent address, which you note is a requirement? And I'm happy to be corrected but my understanding is that part of the reason you can't live there all year and have it as your permanent address is so you don't pay council tax there - but that means you should be paying it wherever you list as your 'permanent' address.

Dixiechickonhols · 27/09/2021 11:44

It’s a depreciating asset like a car not an asset that usually goes up in value like a house.
Where will you live 6 weeks a year? With a child you’ll need to be near school and ideally a stable environment - a few nights here and there will be very disruptive. Plus other residents - if everyone else over 60 normal child noise eg playing outside could cause conflict.

Dixiechickonhols · 27/09/2021 11:46

By bungalow she means chalet though not a brick home. They have a short life span.
They aren’t mortgageable in same way as a house or brick bungalow. They are called park homes near us but seem to be marketed at retirement market.

purplecorkheart · 27/09/2021 11:52

Have you actual spoken to your close relative and do they agree? It is a massive commitment to undertake. Do not assume that they will be ok with it no matter how close a relative it is.

Original poster
kravestix · 27/09/2021 11:53

This is what it looks like if the pic uploads!

AIBU to move to a holiday park?!
OP posts:
jackstini · 27/09/2021 11:56

Ok, seen now it is a brick bungalow, so easier for a mortgage
However - it is freehold or leasehold?
What are the service charges for the site?
Can you not use the site address as permanent as it's only 6 weeks out of the year you will be away from it? (some people are away from their main home more than that)

MichelleScarn · 27/09/2021 11:58

Urg I am so sorry to do this op, I remember your other threads and your self declared impulsiveness. Are you leaving your husband for your 6 hr away coastal dream? What about uni, and your plan for dog and chickens?

Original poster
kravestix · 27/09/2021 12:01

@MichelleScarn

Urg I am so sorry to do this op, I remember your other threads and your self declared impulsiveness. Are you leaving your husband for your 6 hr away coastal dream? What about uni, and your plan for dog and chickens?
No, no! Not leaving Uni. I'm loving it! Not leaving my DH. He would be coming too. It's finally something we both like and agree on. It's a lovely location but actually closer to his children than we are now. Closer to the beach for me. More rural and a nicer area for DS. So, seemingly a win win for both of us.
OP posts:
Fifthtimelucky · 27/09/2021 12:01

@Hardbackwriter

But we have a few options there. Close relatives we can stay with or the option of saving up throughout the year (if we no longer have to pay such a huge mortgage), which gives us the option to save up some money and use that to fund somewhere else to say for the 6 weeks.

But with either of those options you don't have another permanent address, which you note is a requirement? And I'm happy to be corrected but my understanding is that part of the reason you can't live there all year and have it as your permanent address is so you don't pay council tax there - but that means you should be paying it wherever you list as your 'permanent' address.

I don't think council tax is the issue. I have a lodge on a holiday park. It is open all year round and can be occupied at any time, but I am not allowed to live there all year round and when I bought it I had to prove that I had a permanent address elsewhere. I still have to pay council tax.
Original poster
kravestix · 27/09/2021 12:02

@jackstini

Ok, seen now it is a brick bungalow, so easier for a mortgage However - it is freehold or leasehold? What are the service charges for the site? Can you not use the site address as permanent as it's only 6 weeks out of the year you will be away from it? (some people are away from their main home more than that)
It's leasehold. Not sure on charges yet. Waiting to hear back from someone.
OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 27/09/2021 12:03

Some people do this and go to somewhere like Benidorm or Malta for the winter period where you can rent a self catering apartment for not very much. It can sometimes be not much more expensive than putting the heating on in the UK.

Obviously not an option if you work and have school age DC, but more practical for retired people or those who can work remotely. But the lack of a permanent address for mail, banking etc might still be an issue.

PerseverancePays · 27/09/2021 12:06

I have also considered this but am totally put off by the people who own these sites. They seem to be very controlling and escalate costs when they feel like it, cram in any number of new lodges, the residents don’t seem to have any say in how the sites are run. I’ve looked at a few and the reviews and Facebook type pages where the residents talk don’t come across very well. It’s just the sites that look so attractive with so much space compared to a house. I couldn’t do with all that control from another party.
I’ll stick to looking at ugly bungalows in my price bracket.

Strangevipers · 27/09/2021 12:13

If it is what you want then why not

MiloAndEddie · 27/09/2021 12:14

I’d be surprised if it was a properly constructed building, I bet it’s still single skin which would make it unmortgagable. It’s also not an asset in the same way a house is.

The fees for the site if it has lots of facilities can be upwards of £5k per year.

Also, it’s not a residential site if it closes for 6 weeks which means a lot have clauses about occupying for more than 30 days at a time.

I really wouldn’t tbh.

Original poster
kravestix · 27/09/2021 12:14

It's a parkdean place and has lots of great reviews from owners. I was just browsing Facebook and they have lots of events for owners. Summer parties, breakfasts, afternoon teas, themed parties, an end of season party, a welcome back event, etc. I get the feeling they look after their owners

OP posts: