We know we might sound biased, but it’s true: static caravan ownership is a wonderful thing.
It’s surprisingly affordable, there are plenty of options available, and you can enjoy a home away from home where you can relax and destress all year round.
However, buying a static caravan is a big purchase – and it’s important to ask the right questions so you can be confident you are making the right choices.
So, before you start your search, read on for our top 15 questions to ask when buying a static caravan.
15 questions you need to ask before buying a static caravan
1. Where should I look?
Location, location, location – it’s a pretty important place to kick things off! Do you want to be close to home with limited travel time? Or perhaps you’d like a holiday escape that’s further away.
Are you dreaming of reliving childhood holidays by the sea? Or are National Parks and walking high on your list of priorities? Are you a fan of fishing? Or do you fancy spending your holiday mountaineering?
When it comes to static caravan ownership, these are all essential things to think about that will impact your choice of location.
2. What should I expect from a park?
Once you’ve narrowed things down and chosen a location, it’s time to start thinking about what kind of park you would like.
Do you want entertainment? If so, what kind of activities would you like to see on offer? Are you looking for a child-friendly park? Are you searching for a pet-friendly site?? These are all essential things to consider when choosing the right holiday park for you.
3. Will the holiday park be open all year round?
When deciding on the right park for you, you’ll need to find out when the holiday park is open and closed so you can plan your holidays around it. Some parks are open for 11 months of the year, whereas some are seasonal – so the right park for you will ultimately depend on your personal wants and needs.
Also, if you decide to rent your static caravan out to generate income from it (more on this below!) you will need to know when you can do this throughout the year.
4. Can I live in my caravan?
This is a hot topic at the moment, but the simple answer is no. Static holiday caravans are not built to residential standards – and additionally, you won’t be afforded the protection of the Mobile Homes Act.
If you are thinking of living in a mobile home, make sure you choose a residentially licensed park with the appropriate written statement.
5. Are there facilities on site?
If you’re purchasing a static caravan as a home away from home and a chance to escape everyday life, you’ll probably want some home comforts on site so it’s important to think about what the facilities are like.
Are there any leisure facilities? What about food and drink or entertainment? At Akebar, our static caravans benefit from an on-site pub as well as a golf course, but on-site facilities vary hugely from park to park. So, make sure you do your research before signing on the dotted line!
6. What about the activities and entertainment nearby?
Sure, purchasing a static caravan gives you the chance to escape to the country – but to make sure your time there is stress-free, you’ll probably want some facilities and decent activities nearby.
From essentials such as supermarkets to golf courses, nature walks and attractions and days out for the family, it’s important to check out the surrounding area when purchasing a holiday home.
7. How much does it cost to keep my caravan there?
Once you’ve decided which park is right for you, it’s time to start thinking about the costs involved in owning a static caravan. From site frees to local council rates and insurance to gas and electricity fees, it’s important to factor in the costs associated with having a caravan.
8. What are site fees and how do they work?
The biggest cost of owning a static caravan is the cost of site fees. These often relate to the level of facilities and service on the park, so the site fees will reflect what you are looking for in a park.
So, if your chosen park has a plethora of swimming pools and activities abounding, be prepared that you’ll likely be faced with higher costs.
9. How long can my caravan stay on site?
Some parks will have restrictions on the amount of time your caravan can remain on site. It’s not that common, but for those that do, the average amount of time is usually around 15 years.
However, whilst most parks won’t have any time restrictions, they will probably continue to increase pitch fees annually – so make sure you ask the terms and conditions about this beforehand!
10. Can I let my caravan out?
One way people can choose to lessen the burden of site fees is by letting or subletting their caravan out to make some extra money. Likewise, if you know you might only be using it for a few weeks a year, it might be a good idea to consider subletting.
Whether or not you can sublet depends on each individual park – so if this is something you are keen to explore, make sure you ask the question early on in your search.
11. What about hosting family and friends?
While some privately-owned holiday sites don’t allow subletting, it’s absolutely fine for friends and family to use your caravan. In fact, it’s one of the biggest perks of owning a static caravan! Just make sure you don’t overfill the caravan for health and safety reasons.
12. Will I need to have caravan insurance?
Yep, you will definitely need caravan insurance. However, it is up to you whether you arrange your own insurance or if you choose for it to be arranged by the park (if this is a service they offer, obviously!).
If you do decide to go via the park, make sure the policy on offer exactly matches your requirements.
13. Can I get finance on buying a static caravan?
A static caravan is a big purchase – and as a result, most parks will have finance options available. They will typically offer several different schemes over varying amounts of time, which means there are plenty of options so you can choose the financial scheme that is right for you.
14. Are the other caravan owners happy?
Before you progress to putting down a deposit or signing any paperwork, make sure you properly investigate your surroundings.
Are there lots of people around? Or is the site fairly empty? Is it a close-knit community or do people keep themselves to themselves? And most importantly, are the other owners happy with their purchase?
There’s no better research than going straight to the horse’s mouth – so feel free to ask your potential neighbours their thoughts on static caravan ownership too!
15. Can I sell my caravan?
When you are looking to upgrade your caravan or simply sell your static caravan, most parks will offer some form of assistance. Alternatively, sales can be made privately between the owner and the potential buyer. Just make sure you check the paperwork before organising a sale.
Why Akebar Park is the perfect location for your home away from home
Nestled on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Akebar Park is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
Designed to give you all the practical features you need without compromising on high-quality furnishings, our holiday homes and static caravans for sale in Yorkshire are great value for money.
On-site, we’ve got a pub, a private golf course and stunning surroundings to explore – so however you wish to spend your Yorkshire escape, we’ve got plenty of activities to make sure you enjoy every second!
Now is the perfect time to take a look at our holiday homes and static caravans for sale and decide which is the best option for you. And don’t worry, we can also help with finance – so you could be enjoying your home away from home holiday from the very beginning of the summer season!
So, if you’d like to start your journey to static caravan ownership, why not contact us today to find out more about the range of holiday homes and static caravans we have for sale? We look forward to welcoming you soon!
