Static caravans and ownership.

October saw the final results from the annual static caravan ownership survey.

This annual survey targets feedback from new static caravan owners who have purchased a holiday home on a UK holiday parks, and is seen by many as the most comprehensive survey of its kind.

With the launch of many new ‘’luxury’’ specification caravans the average sales value of static caravan holiday homes continues to increase. New sited static caravan prices now range from £15,000 – to well over £100,000.

Many new owners have reported that Static Holiday Caravan ownership has brought many lifestyle benefits over the past year including;

‘’Encourages more breaks with friends and family’’
‘’Gets my husband away from the office’’
‘’No more packing – everything we need is kept in our caravan’’
‘’Friendship and community with other owners’’
‘’Children love caravans!!!!’’

The survey results also gives help and support to prospective new owners as they are able to learn from people with real life experience. Suggestions included;

‘’Find the best pitch’’
‘’Location, Location, Location’’
‘’Facilities on the park are crucial to owners’’
‘’Don’t buy more than one and a half hours from your home’’
‘’Why not buy with friends’’

As with previous years the main negative feedback came from owners who have sold their static caravan a short time after purchase and have been subject to heavy depreciation.

Other concerns included damage to van when subletting, high site fees and the inflexibility of some holiday park ownership contracts.

A spokesperson advised ‘’Many people enjoy huge lifestyle benefits from static caravan ownership whilst subletting to subsidise the cost of ownership. We urge prospective customer to complete as much research as possible prior to purchase to ensure they make the right long term decision. As with any capital purchase (such as a new car) if you make the wrong choice and wish to sell a short time after purchase, depreciation becomes a major factor’’.