Long term finance is available from specialist lenders. The park where you wish to purchase your holiday lodge will advise you.

Yes. There is a Ten Year Gold Shield Warranty available, provided and administered on behalf of the manufacturers and the NCC (National Caravan Council). Within the ten years, the first two years are warranted by the manufacturers and the last eight years by Gold Shield.

This warranty is only available on parks registered within the scheme, please ask the Park Owner. Registration of to the Gold Shield Scheme is free for the park owner, but they are obliged to offer additional warranties relating to the base the lodge is sited on.

A note of caution – the Ten Year Gold Shield Warranty may not cover your holiday lodge or holiday park home if the intention is to let it out for holiday rentals. Please ask first.

Be aware that if the park is registered with the Gold Shield scheme it is your responsibility to register your lodge within 90 days of purchasing.

Please be aware that Gold Shield is not an insurance scheme and you still need to ensure that your lodge is adequately insured.

Living permanently in a holiday caravan or lodge will breach the park's planning permission and Site Licence, making it illegal. Your Holiday Licence Agreement explicitly prohibits permanent residence, meaning you would have no legal right to live in your holiday caravan or lodge year-round.

Parks are required to ensure holiday caravans and lodges are used strictly for holiday purposes. To uphold this, they may regularly request proof that you have a genuine permanent home address elsewhere. A “paper” address, such as one for correspondence only, will not suffice.

What You Should Avoid:

• Working locally and commuting from your holiday caravan.

• Registering with a local GP or healthcare services.

• Enrolling children in local schools.

• Registering to vote using your holiday caravan address.

These actions indicate permanent residence and violate the terms of holiday use.

Your contract with the park will clearly state this holiday-use-only requirement, and it must be respected. If you breach this condition, the park may ask you to stop immediately. Continued non-compliance could result in the termination of your contract and a request to remove your holiday caravan or lodge from the site. Additionally, the planning authority may take enforcement action against both you and the park.

Respecting these rules is essential to avoid legal complications and ensure your holiday caravan remains a peaceful retreat, used as intended.

Why Legal Advice is Essential When Buying a Holiday Home

Purchasing a holiday home or lodge is an exciting step, but it comes with unique considerations that differ from buying a traditional property. Seeking advice from a solicitor experienced in holiday park law is highly recommended to ensure a smooth, secure transaction and to protect your investment.

A specialist solicitor can:

• Review Agreements and Site Rules: They’ll carefully examine purchase agreements, terms, and park rules, ensuring you understand all aspects of the transaction and that your rights are protected.

• Ensure Compliance: They’ll verify that the sale adheres to all legal regulations and that there are no hidden clauses or conditions that could affect your ownership.

• Clarify Responsibilities: A solicitor will explain any ongoing obligations you may have as a holiday homeowner, such as maintenance fees or site-specific rules, giving you peace of mind.

While hiring a solicitor isn’t mandatory, their expertise can prevent potential disputes, misunderstandings, or costly mistakes. By working with a solicitor who specialises in holiday home transactions, you’ll gain confidence in your investment and clarity about your new holiday home and its community.

Protect your rights and make your holiday home purchase as stress-free as possible with professional legal guidance. It’s a step you’ll be glad you took!

No. You own the holiday home (static caravan), holiday lodge, holiday park homes or pod, but you pay an annual ground rent and maintenance charge for your plot.