Over the last few years, more and more holidaymakers have been ditching flights abroad in favour of heading off in a caravan or motorhome to explore the great outdoors closer to home. This trend isn’t slowing down either, with the number of in-use caravans forecast to jump from 755,000 to 900,000 by 2030.
However, for those looking to purchase a static caravan, it’s certainly not an easy decision to make. Ranging in price from £15,000 up to £100,000, there can be significant risk involved in buying one of these holiday homes. With that in mind, Shane Spence of Sell The Caravan has offered some of his best tips to avoid disappointment.
Overlooking the financials
Like any leisure vehicle, the money you spend to purchase a static caravan isn’t the only price to pay. This means that when weighing up your expenses, it’s important to factor in the additional costs, which include:
- Static caravan site fees, which range from £1,500 to £10,000 per annum
- Commissioning fees (connecting water, electricity and gas)
- Utility costs
- Monthly fees
- Gas and boiler maintenance
- Rust protection and general upkeep costs
Park restrictions
Every caravan park has its own set of rules and restrictions. Some might only permit static caravans under a certain age limit to be on the grounds, usually around ten years. So, if your leisure vehicle was manufactured in 2014, you may need to think about relocating.
Different laws affect static caravan owners when it comes to picking a destination, too. Holiday parks permit the parking of luxury static caravans used as vacation homes. They are not allowed to be used as a year-round or permanent residence. Conversely, residential parks are to be lived in and are licensed accordingly.
Some parks may be exclusively for adults. Therefore, if you are looking for a site with a family atmosphere, or even searching for one with no children, it pays to do some research beforehand.
Insurance
It’s no secret that a lot of us don’t actually read the entire small print in our insurance policies. However, failing to do so can lead to severe consequences. Some holidaymakers may end up being surprised to learn that the most crucial aspects of insurance aren’t covered by their provider.
It might feel like a chore if you’re not a fan of reading, but the best advice to avoid this mistake is to double-check that everything you need to be covered is written in your policy documents.
TV Licence
It’s crucial to remember that anyone who wants to watch or record live TV on any channel at the same time as someone else at your main licensed address (your home), then you’ll need to purchase an additional TV Licence for your static caravan. The same goes for watching and downloading programmes or films on BBC iPlayer. Failing to abide by this law could leave you with a fine of up to £1000, so it’s best to make sure you’re covered.
Photo credit: Kevin Phillips / Pixabay
