Renting/buying a normal or static caravan

Nikadi

I've had a search of the forum and can't seem to find anything so I apologise as I know this has probably been asked before!

My partner and I are trying to save money and we're currently living in shared accommodation as we can't afford our own place. We're considering saving up for a static or caravan renting a static.

I know it's possibe, but I cannot find any actual information on doing it in my area (Brighton/East Sussex) without it taking me to retirement statics, we're in our mid twenties so this is obviously unsuitable for us! :rotfl:

Does anybody know where we could pitch up a caravan or rent a static in this area? It'd have to be not too far from Brighton uni or from Saltdean or Lewes (at the moment), as my other half goes to uni and I work in both Saltdean and Lewes areas!

Or if there is a way to find a piece of land to rent for the purpose? I know that there are rules about staying in one place and council tax as well but I'm guessing that some sites include that in fees if it's year-round living?

Strapped

This comes up frequently. There are lots of threads?

tim123456789

Are there. Cant' say that I've seen them:(

Back to the OP

There are bound to be lots of "park homes" in your area. But they are priced very much on the utility value of the land and not the value of the cardboard box that sits on top.

By the time you have paid the additional costs of heating said cardboard box the total cost of living in one are not much different from a real house.

No you won't be able to find a piece of land to purchase where you can pitch a tent for year round occupation.

sharpe106

must have missed all these posts but as has been put before in the long term will probably not be cheaper, plus a lot of places shut down over the winter periods and switch of things like water

Kayalana99

Yea I think thier might even be a law but not sure? That they have to close for so many months of the year (probally to stop people living thier) and this usally happens in winter months.

If you buy your own static make sure you find out just how long your caravan is allowed to stay thier!! Me and my Dad looked into buying one to rent out and we was all for it untill we found out that once its 10-15years old (i cant remember now) it is basicly scrapped and isnt allowed on the site anymore.

lincroft1710

Renting a static caravan on a holiday park on/near south coast would be prohibitive as we approach the holiday season, even if you could find one which would agree to a long term let or is allowed to/prepared to accept more or less permanent residency.

Proper park homes are built for year round living and are well insulated. But park home living as you have discovered is aimed at the over 50s and the vast majority of parks have minimum age occupancy restrictions. There are very few park homes to rent in any case.

Buying/renting land is out of the question, as you'd never get planning permission. Don't even think about doing this, buying an old static and just siting it and living in it. And don't expect to find any friendly farmers who can just "hide" your caravan on their farm. Those days are long, long gone.

tim123456789

Static caravan sites are restricted by the specific planning permission that was given when they were "built" not by general law.

Accordingly, some are for restricted occupation and others are not. Obviously unrestricted ones are much more expensive and it was these that my previous comment was aimed at.

There is very soon going to be a change in the law stopping park home owners ripping off tenants on resale/replacement homes.

Nikadi

I've searched and all that comes up is holiday threads, so apologies iof that irks you Strapped! As I said, I tried to find information but couldn't.

Thanks for the comments so far. We would look at buying one really, but renting one is an option for us if the cost isn't prohibitive.

It's interesting to know about the age of the caravan too, I'll keep that in mind.

We're entertaining the idea of boats to live on as well at the moment, it'll be another few years until we have the savings to do any of it though

Strapped

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4291657




https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4188529


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/54986621#Comment_54986621


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4100199


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3925087

lincroft1710

tim123456789 wrote: »

Static caravan sites are restricted by the specific planning permission that was given when they were "built" not by general law.

Accordingly, some are for restricted occupation and others are not.

10 or 11 month occupancy seems to becoming more common these days.

lincroft1710

Another thing OP, if you bought a static the annual site rent could easily be £2K plus per annum, adding around £180 per month to your bills.

Boats need moorings, moorings are expensive. Also any boat you are considering buying needs a proper survey, maintaining a boat properly can run away with a lot of money, if you bought unwisely.

Update, just checked a couple of holiday caravan parks in Sussex, neither that close unfortunately. You're looking at a caravan rental of £350/400 per week. I think a house share has got to be cheaper!