A Simple Guide To Buying A UK Holiday Home

A UK holiday home can make a lot of sense; whether you’re looking for a long-term lifestyle choice, a place that offers flexibility and freedom, or somewhere you can offset some running costs through holiday letting. Or, it can simply be a sanctuary for you and your loved ones.

Check out this guide to help with some of the questions you may have about a UK holiday home…

Why a UK Holiday Home?

There are so many incredible places to explore across the world — but travelling to them often comes with planning, paperwork, airport stress, and early-morning alarms. For many people, that fast-paced approach to holidays no longer feels relaxing.

With your own holiday home in the UK, you get to spend more time unwinding with the people who matter most. And, if you choose to, you can offset some of your annual running costs by letting your holiday home when you’re not using it.

How often have you heard people say there’s so much more of their own homeland they’d love to explore? With a UK holiday home, you can finally do just that.

What Types of Holiday Homes Are There?

Static Caravans

Static caravans are modular, which means they are prefabricated and fully constructed in a factory. Caravans are then transported to a holiday park where they are sited and connected (gas, electric, water etc).

Static caravans on a holiday park are usually sold with an annual license. This means that if you purchase a caravan, you will own the caravan itself – your agreement for keeping your caravan on a holiday park between you as the owner and the park operator is agreed on an annual basis.

Caravans range considerably in price. A used, basic model that may be single-glazed with basic heating could be around £10,000. Expect to pay £50,000+ for a brand new top of the range model with double-glazed windows and contemporary heating systems with radiators. Pricing policies vary from park to park.

It’s important to note that caravans will depreciate in value, much like a car, so don’t expect to make your money back when selling a caravan. People often buy a caravan to enjoy for as long as possible – you can keep them for decades with regular upkeep and maintenance.

Lodges

Lodges are generally timber in construction, and are similar to static caravans, normally built to a higher specification than caravans. Lodges are often manufactured in a factory, made in two sections and put together on-site.

Lodges in the UK vary in price dramatically depending on location, age and specification.

Lodges will often appreciate along with the property market, as they are a more substantial property than a caravan.

Some lodges are sold on an annual license, however Tingdene Holiday Parks Ltd generally sell this type of holiday home on a long lease (125 years as an example).

A lease is different to an annual license; a lease is very similar to buying a flat or apartment, as opposed to a house. A lease is a legal document which often represents a better financial investment (as it can mean a higher property value) and also more protection to the ‘Tenant’ of the lease. The ‘Landlord’ (park operator) and ‘Tenant’ (leaseholder/holiday lodge owner) are protected and governed by property law – The Landlord & Tenant Act.

Whilst a lease is a legal document, it is not necessarily something to be scared of as a buyer. When purchasing a leasehold property, it is common for buyers to instruct a solicitor to act for them. A solicitor will also register the property with HMLR (Land Registry).

Brick Built Villas, Holiday Cottages & Bungalows

Brick-built properties may offer a more substantial construction, which certainly helps with the UK winters! Whether you are looking for a traditional bungalow holiday home or something more modern, there should be something on the market that suits your needs.

Brick-built properties range in price depending on size and location, and will often appreciate in value along with the property market.

These holiday properties offer that homely feel, somewhere you can really make your own and create a wonderful home-from-home to spend your leisure time in.

Chalets

Chalets were built mainly during the 1950’s-1970’s as a popular holiday home of choice in the post war era, and the decades that followed the UK tourism boom.

Chalets vary considerably, however their construction usually is a flat roofed 2 bedroom property made out of brick and or timber materials. Chalets typically price from around £10,000 – £60,000 depending on the property condition, park and location.

Similar to lodges and brick-built properties, chalets will often rise in value along with the property market, depending on the condition.

How Long is a Holiday Home Season?

Each holiday parks site license will vary, changing how long a holiday home can be used by owners. Some parks (often caravan parks) may have a season of 10 months or so, some may have a 12 month holiday use occupancy.

However, holiday parks are for holiday use only, not residential. This means you cannot live at a holiday park or use it as your main or sole residence. It is a second home only, and you will need to provide a primary address when buying a holiday home.

Holiday Home Deckings

A decking on your holiday home is a great addition! Many of us like the idea of relaxing outside, having a space to read your favourite book, a place to eat, drink and socialise in the sun.

Deckings may not be allowed at all parks or on all holiday homes, but it is definitely worth asking this question. Other good questions to ask and to consider:

• how much would it cost?
• what type of decking would is allowed? (timber, UPVC, glass etc.)
• do I need permission from the park operator?

Holiday park operators generally have approved contractors to whom they work with. so it maybe unlikely you would be able to construct it yourself. It is also common place to submit some basic plans in writing in order to get a decking approved.

Earning an Income From Holiday Lettings

Some parks may offer you the option and opportunity to let your holiday home and offset your annual running costs.

Subletting your holiday home is a great way to offset any annual costs, such as site fees and ground rent etc. Some owners may choose to let their holiday home privately, which means a more active role. This may involve marketing, key handling, checking guests in and out, laundry, linen services etc, which can be a full-time job.

Tingdene Holiday Parks Ltd offer a Managed Letting Scheme service for those looking for a passive approach to earning an income at Waveney River Centre. This will come at an extra cost than doing it yourself, and it is important you understand all the charges. However, many holiday home owners find it is worth it to reduce all the workload for slightly less income.

To find out more about how we can help you offset your annual running costs at Waveney River Centre, click the link below!

Annual Costs of a Holiday Home

It is important that you fully understand how much the associated ongoing costs of owning a holiday home are. These will be found on your license agreement or lease.

Remember, when you have a holiday home on a holiday park, this means that you will not own the land that your holiday home is sited/constructed on.

It is also important to understand when these bills are due and who they need to be paid to. Some fees will be due to the park or the operating company, some may be due to the local councils or utility companies.

Typical Example of Annual Costs of a Holiday Home:

• Ground Rent or Site Fees
  This will be the main bill per annum
• Service Charge or Maintenance Charges
  These will relate to the upkeep and maintenance of the holiday park
• Utilities
  Electric, gas, water etc
• Council Tax
  Find out if this is applicable and what band applies to the holiday home

You can find the annual running costs of each of our properties for sale listings or by downloading our park’s holiday homes price lists.

Finding the Right Park for Your Holiday Home

Investing in a UK holiday home is obviously a big decision. You will no doubt want to make sure you are investing in a credible company and holiday park operator.

Do Your Research!

Who owns the park? How long have they been operating? How are they funded? What are their customers and owners saying? What credible reviews are there online?

A great and simple way to find out more is to have a chat with some of the existing owners! They may have been at the park for several years already and will have gone through the same buying process as you.