Frequently asked questions

Purchasing a new holiday home can become a little confusing, with so many different things to remember to ask. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about our park and holiday home ownership in general.

We hope you find this section useful but if there’s a question not listed below that you’d like to know the answer to – or if there’s something you’d like to discuss further – then call Jonathan on 07909 967996.

How long is the park open?
Holiday parks typically have varying opening and closing times based on the season and location. Year-Round Park like the large parks will be open all year round. However, smaller independent family park will typically be close in the quiet winter season. Some parks like Nancolleth caravan park open on specific date from 5^th March to 5^Th January.

Is owning a caravan and renting a pitch common practice?
Yes, the purchasing of static caravans on a rented pitch is common and increasingly popular.

Are you allowed to bring your pet on a holiday park?
Many holiday parks provide dog-friendly accommodation and amenities. However, at Nancolleth Caravan Park, pets are not permitted. Sorry.

Is there a professional body that regulates owning a caravan and renting a pitch?
Yes, the association Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA) who provide standard contracts that help to ensure your rights are protected. Nancolleth Caravan Park is a member and endorse the code of practice of HARPA.

Are holiday parks regulated in the UK?
Holiday parks in the UK are subject to regulations. They must apply for a license from their local council and operate within the license conditions outlined. Also, guidance is provided by Chartered Trading Standards Institute and the Department for Business and Trade for example consumer law. Additionally, there is Health & Safety regulation and compliance.

Some parks like Nancolleth Caravan Park belong to professional association. The Holiday & Residential Parks Association (HARPA) who provide standard contracts that help to ensure your rights are protected whilst you are purchasing a caravan and renting a pitch. Nancolleth Caravan Park have engaged in these codes of practice of HARPA that have been set out.

Who is allowed to stay or use my static holiday home?
You, your immediate family, and invited guests can typically use your static caravan, provided it is for holiday purposes only and not as a permanent residence or temporary residence for work. Subletting is not allowed at Nancolleth Holiday Park, but many parks do allow you to rent out your caravan to third parties to help offset costs. This is normally managed privately or through the park’s official letting scheme.

Is there time limits and occupancy restricts when I can use my static caravan?
Static caravans on holiday parks cannot be used as a primary or sole residence. Parks require you to have a permanent, separate residential address. And can only be occupied when the park is open, and the open times will be stipulated by the park license issued by the local council. Larger parks tend to be open all year were as smaller independent family managed park typically be closed during January and February.

What yearly costs do I need to consider with my holiday home static caravan
Owning a static caravan typically costs between £3,000 and £10,000+ annually in running costs, depending on the park’s location and facilities. Ongoing expenses include pitch fees, utilities, insurance, rates, safety checks, and maintenance.

Key costs to consider at Nancolleth Caravan Park:

Annual Pitch/Site Fees is £3,553 This covers park maintenance, and use of on-site facilities.

Utilities: £300–£600. You will pay for metered gas, electricity, and water/sewerage charges. This vary depending on each family usage and is charged at the end of each year

Business/Local Rates: £100. Similar to council tax, these are non-domestic rates for the land your caravan occupies. However, under current government policy this small park  is 100% discounted.

Specialist Caravan Insurance: £250–£350. Like most parks new for old policy insurance is required. Cover protects against fire, theft, and weather damage. We have a preferred insurance company that provides this specialised insurance cover to avoid issues cross contamination.

Safety Checks: £90–£150. Mandatory annual checks for gas and electrical appliances. Again, we have a preferred local contractor that can help with this which can be arrange through our office.

Winterisation & Drain-down: £65. This service can normally be provided through the park, or you can do this yourself. This is a recommendation by your insurance company as part of your winter maintenance, essentially done when you not using the static. caravan during the winter month to prevent pipes from bursting in freezing temperatures. We are happy to help or show you how this can be done for yourself.

Caravan and decking washing: £75 – £120. Washing your caravan at least once a year not only keeps your caravan looking great, but by removing the green algae build-up helps to protect the finish on your caravan.  This can be done yourself or provided through the park. A caravan washing service is offered at £75 which also includes the cleaning out the gutters. Decking at £35.

Does a static holiday home come with warranty?
Yes, your new holiday home static caravan is supplied with manufacturer’s warranty. Subject to conditions and exceptions, your home (or lodge) is guaranteed against manufacturing defects or materials within 12 months of ownership. However, your warranty extends beyond 12 months for specific items which typically fall within three categories: 3 years for fitted furniture, soft furnishings, and shower unit. 5 years structural for external doors, PVCu windows, walls and ceiling and chassis warranty which for a galvanised chassis is generally 12 years.

How do I sell my static caravan after buying, if my situation changes?
Yes, you can absolutely sell your static holiday home caravan. You generally have three main routes to do so: selling it directly to the park operator, selling it privately to stay on the pitch, or selling it to a third-party trader to have it removed from the site. All three options are similar to selling your car: to a main car dealer, independent trader or privately.

Option 1 – Easiest and quickest.

Selling to the Park Owner: This is the easiest method, as the park knows your caravan, and once the valve has been agreed is simple paperwork exercise. Therefore, came completed within a few days. However, parks usually offer the lowest valuation to maximize their own re-sale return.

Option 2 – Improved sell price not tied to park’s offer

Selling to a Private Trader (Off-Site): You can sell to an independent dealer who will remove the unit from your holiday park. This saves you from park commission, but you will need to cover disconnection fees and spend some time finding a caravan trader. The price will be reduced to allow for the transport cost the trader will incur when compared to option 3.

Option 3 – Best sell price but will take more time.

Selling Privately (On-Site): You can sell the caravan to a private buyer who takes over your pitch. This usually yields the best price, but the park operator typically must approve the buyer and may charge a commission or “transfer fee” (often around 15% plus VAT of the selling price). You can set the price, Your park can help with this by placing an adverts on the park’s own website or you can use re-sale caravan websites to attract a better return.

What is a pitch / plot?
A pitch / plot is the location within the park on which your caravan is sited.

Do I own the land my holiday home is sited on?
No, you do not own the land. When you buy a static holiday caravan, you are strictly purchasing the physical structure and the right to station it on the park’s pitch, not the underlying land, you are paying a pitch fee for the right to keep your static caravan on the park’s pitch.

How long may I keep my caravan, is there an caravan age limit?
Many parks enforce a maximum age limit to maintain the safety and aesthetic standards of the site. If your model ages past this cap—which can range from 12 to 20 years depending on the park operator —you will have to trade it in, upgrade, or remove it. Here at Nancolleth Holiday Park we offer have a 15 years license.

What security and rights do I have?
We offer you a formal agreement approved by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association for the purpose of a Code of Practice recognised by the Office of fair Trading. This agreement sets out all our obligations to each other.

Static caravan owners’ rights in the UK largely depend on whether the caravan is used as a holiday home or as a permanent residential address. Because the industry is not governed by a single specific law, your rights are dictated by your licence agreement and standard consumer protection laws. Some operators like Nancolleth Holiday Park offer formal licence agreements approved by HARPA for the purpose of code of practice recognise by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and the Department for Business and Trade for example consumer law. This license agreement out all our obligation to each other.

Can I rent out or sublet my holiday home?
Subletting or other commercial activity is not allowed at Nancolleth Holiday Park. We find this leads to quiet park. Less activity creating a park likeminded people in our community. But many parks do allow you to rent out your caravan to third parties to help offset costs. This is normally managed privately or through the park’s official letting scheme.

Are tourers, tents allowed?
Like many other parks tents or tourers are not allowed to be pitched alongside static caravans. This is prohibited this due to health, safety, spacing regulations, licensing restrictions. Other Parks will have separate field, or designated pitches must be booked for tents.

Who is responsible of maintenance?
Maintenance on a static holiday home park is divided into two distinct areas: the park operator is responsible for the site’s shared infrastructure the Common area, Utility infrastructure and Pitch foundations. While individual owners must maintain their own holiday home: Exterior and interior upkeep, including clearing guttering, repairing windows, and addressing wear and tear. You must also arrange annual gas, boiler, and electrical safety servicing by qualified professionals and pitch: Maintaining any private decking, steps, skirting, and fencing that you own. You must keep your specific pitch clean and tidy in accordance with the park’s rules. Like many other parks Nancolleth Holiday park provides a cleaning service for caravan exterior and decking area and approved contractors for the up keep of gas and electrical safety requirements.

Are there Holiday Park rules?
Holiday Park rules are designed to ensure a safe, peaceful environment for all guests. While specific guidelines vary, standard regulations across UK holiday parks typically include quiet hours (usually 10:30 PM to 8:30 AM), strict speed limits (often 10mph). Each park will have own specific holiday park rules. A copy of these will be provided with your license agreement and form part of your agreement with the park.

Is finance available?
Yes, finance is widely available for static caravans. However, unlike other parks Nancolleth Holiday Park does not provide finance through a broker like Black Horse. There are other routes through specialised companies like Pegasus Finance or Arkle Finance offering loans for both new and used static caravans. We you need keep in mind unique conditions of the loan such as finance term cannot be longer than pitch license agreement and only allowed to use the static for holiday use only. Therefore will be required to have separate main residence elsewhere.

What facilities are there at Nancolleth?
Holiday parks in the UK typically feature a mix of family-friendly leisure, dining, and practical amenities. Facilities vary by each park. Larger parks that offer pools and entertainment area will have high pitch fees to support this infrastructure, but smaller independent park without entertainment area will have lower pitch fees. At Nancolleth holiday park offers a small laundrette and exterior children’s playground.

Can I use my holiday home as permanent home?
In the UK, you generally cannot use a holiday home as your permanent residence. Legal and planning restrictions, especially in holiday parks, require you to have another permanent address elsewhere, and many parks close for several weeks during the winter. It is common practice for the park operator will request proof of permanent address on an annual basis.

Can I park my car near my caravan?
Yes, there is space for two cars, next to or alongside your holiday caravan.