Guide to Static Caravan Site Fees 2023

What are Static Caravan site fees?

Static caravan ‘site fees’ or ‘pitch fees’ are the amount holiday park operators will charge you to site a static caravan on a pitch in their park. It is essentially ground rent; you are renting the ground where the static caravan is situated. This fee applies to all holiday parks across the UK.

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What do Site Fees cover for Static Caravan Fees?

Interestingly, your static caravan site fees are not just for your pitch but also contribute to other things on the park. These include;

1. Holiday Park Maintenance

The grounds and facilities of the holiday park need to be maintained, but most parks keep these to a high standard for the benefit of static caravan owners.

2. Park Security

Many parks have a security system, whether electric gates, CCTV, security personnel, or all three. This enables residents to have peace of mind and enjoy their time at the park.

3. Facilities on the park

Depending on the park, there may be some excellent facilities – A reason that possibly attracted you to purchase your static caravan initially. These may include restaurants, shops and cafes.

4. Winterisation

If the park does not have a twelve-month holiday season, part of your site fee may cover helping to winterise your caravan. However, this may also be an optional cost, depending on the park.

READ OUR GUIDE TO STATIC CARAVAN MAINTENANCE

Why do Static Caravan Site Fees Differ Across the UK?

Site fees do differ from park to park across the UK. The fees you pay will vary depending on several factors, these include;

• Facilities on the park
• Size and position of the pitch
• Location of the park
• Whether it is a 12 Month holiday season

How Much are Static Caravan Site Fees?

Site fees will generally start at around £2,000 per year and may go as high as £10,000 for a premium holiday park with outstanding facilities in a much sought after location.

Where is the cheapest site fees for static caravans?

The cheapest static caravan site fees in the UK are usually found at the smaller holiday parks with fewer facilities. Sites fees will also vary across regions, with cheaper site fees usually found in areas where land is cheaper than other areas. These regions would include parts of Scotland, the North-West, North-East and parts of Wales.

Are Site Caravan Fees Easy to Pay?

Most holiday parks will make paying site fees and services simple to understand and arrange. You will typically be able to pay the fees in a single invoice, which will help make things easier for you to budget.

If you do worry about the static caravan site fees expected of you, consult with your park operator. You can also ask for legal advice and help on contracts and costs through a solicitor.

What Other Costs are there of a Holiday Park?

What may be confusing are all the different rates you have to pay to your holiday park operator. But don’t worry, all of these details will be available to you when you sign your holiday park contract. However, it makes sense to know what to expect before signing any paperwork. Let’s take a quick look at holiday park fees in more detail and when confusion may arise.

Do you pay Council Tax for a Static Caravan?

The simple answer is no; you don’t have to pay Council Tax for a static caravan. Council Tax only applies to your main residential dwelling. This may be a brick-and-mortar or residential park home, but it doesn’t apply to a holiday home. As holiday homes are for short-term residence, not for full-time living, there is no need for you to pay your local authority a penny. Please read our article on the subject: Can you live in a static caravan all year round.

However, you must not use your holiday caravan as the primary residence, and it shouldn’t be your sole place of residence either. Additionally, you should only sign a holiday home contract if you agree to this and if you only intend to stay for holiday purposes or to have your static caravan as a holiday let.

Once a static caravan becomes a residential ‘dwelling’, in that it is lived-in as a sole residence, council tax will come into play. Holiday parks will not allow you to live on-site. So never enter into an agreement assuming this will ever be the case. A park operator will let you know if there is any leeway. It is relatively easy to prove that you are only using your property as a holiday dwelling. Proof of your permanent address elsewhere when purchasing will be asked for by the park operator..

Do you Pay Business Rates on a Holiday Park?

While you won’t have to pay council tax on a static caravan, you may need to pay business rates. This amount is agreed upon between the buyer and the holiday park operator before signing any contracts. The fee is usually included with the pitch fees and regular invoicing. Business rates apply to your static caravan ownership on any holiday site. The business rates for a caravan park are set according to the number of caravans or lodgings in the park.

Business rates will also be agreed upon when a contract is ratified with a park operator. However, due to the nature of business upkeep and competition, they usually rise from year to year. This, again, will be clear to see in any contracts or agreements you sign. A holiday park should also give you plenty of notice to ensure you are aware of rates increasing.

If you do not agree with business rates, you must not sign your contract. Signing a contract or agreement shows a holiday park that you agree with any changes or rises which may occur in the years to come. While you may not have to pay council tax, these are rates that will change, and which you will always need to clear.

Static Caravan Gas and Electric Costs

You will need to pay your holiday park for the gas and electricity you use. Some holiday parks will run meters, and many will allow you to connect up to gas bottles to your caravan for ease of use and replacement. You will generally be able to buy these on-site. The rates you pay for electricity will vary from park to park, though many will advise you could pay less in a holiday home than you would at your permanent residence. It all depends on what you use and how long for, of course!

We should also include water here, too. Water rates will, again, vary from region to region. These fees are chargeable separate to electricity, gas and pitch fees. This should be fairly clear and easy to see what is being charged. Some holiday parks will also charge for draining down, which means they will arrange to remove all water from your caravan before you leave for the winter. This can be very useful, as it will prevent potential water damage or pipe erosion while you are off-site.

Static Caravan Insurance

It is a good idea to compare and contrast static caravan insurance, read our guide to static caravan insurance for the best rates. Some holiday parks actually let you take out on-site insurance as part of the fees you pay them. This may be itemised on the same bill. However, depending on what you intend to do with your static caravan, it is essential that you get the correct insurance for your needs. If for example, you are buying the static caravan as a holiday let, you may want to take out income protection insurance as well as public liability protection. 

What other Static Caravan Fees are there to Consider?

As established in other posts, you will be charged VAT on all holiday park services and also be charged for energy meter services. Do also expect to pay for your TV license, which will travel with you wherever you go. Your holiday park operator will list all fees expected of you before you sign any paperwork, so do make sure to read everything in full.

Clearing Fees

It is crucial that you clear park fees in full when requested. If you don’t, you may be at risk of eviction or expulsion from your site, and may even face legal action. On top of this, credit files may be negatively affected. In any case, it is never a good idea to withhold fees from a holiday park operator. 

If you are worried about the static caravan site fees you need to pay, always consult an on-site expert at your convenience. Make sure to take a closer look at other guides we have written to help you navigate static caravan buying and what’s expected of you. Park fees and rates don’t have to be a hassle to understand, especially when help is always available from passionate experts.

You have everything you need to know about static caravan site fees; read our guide to buying a static caravan.