Buying a plot/pitch of land - home and abroad

Widelats

Mighty neckbeards of the property market, i must consult with you on a few issues that i hope you could shed some light on, my own efforts have been fruitless

I would like to buy a piece of land that i can eventually put a caravan on, and stay in rent free, i do not want to pay pitch fees and ground rent every year in a caravan park.

I can get a caravan easy enough, the problem i am finding is getting the land. Does anyone know a site i can buy a pice of land on, and especially does anyone know how i can buy some land in Europe and Scandinavia as well, i am not wanting to build a house so no planning permission plans or nothing, just the land, countries i am interested in are Norway, Denmark, Gibraltar, Sweden, Spain, France and Switzerland, i could do Germany too i guess or Holland.

I hope someone knows about this land business, thanks!!

slopemaster

Widelats wrote: »

i am not wanting to build a house so no planning permission plans or nothing, !

You would need planning permission to put a caravan on it

Widelats

slopemaster wrote: »

You would need planning permission to put a caravan on it

Really? I did not know that. ok then, what about buying the land with a caravan already on it??

G_M

Widelats wrote: »

.... i am not wanting to build a house so no planning permission plans or nothing, ....!

You better check that..... caravan...??

http://caravanspy.co.uk/component/discussions/35/89-do-i-need-planning-permission-to-site-a-static-caravan-on-my-own-land

http://www.inbrief.co.uk/land-law/planning-permission-caravan.htm

http://ruralurbanplanning.co.uk/QUICK%20GUIDE%20TO%20PLANNING%20FOR%20CARAVANS.pdf

slopemaster

In some places you can "get away with" parking a caravan on land that is already built on - so one possibility might be an informal arrangement with someone who owns a house with plenty of land?
But be prepared to move on if/when neighbours complain

eddddy

The procedures for buying land in other countries can be very different from the UK, so you'd need to research each country individually. There can also be extra regulations about foreigners owning land.

For example, in some countries completing a property purchase is a bit like a court appearance. Buyer and seller go to the notary's office, the notary reads out the deeds and buyer and seller have to say they understand etc.

To protect yourself you might have to pay to get all legal contracts translated into English, and employ official translators at the notaries office.

Perhaps also investigate land inheritance laws etc. French law, for example, is based on Napoleonic law which can be very different from English common law. (e.g. The law states who must inherit your land, you cannot decide.)

slopemaster

I agree with edddy about procedures being different, and sometimes difficult to understand - with potential to come severely unstuck.

(eg lots of back taxes owed on the land and you are responsible).

You might be better looking in poorer rural ares of the UK for a piece of land with a house in very poor condition that could be affordable. Then you could put a caravan on the land whilst doing the house up.

Davesnave

In this country, it's hard to just buy a bit of land and put a residential caravan on it, without a lot of hassle and, eventually, eviction.

It can be done, but obviously, if it were easy, land prices would shoot up.

I've known of people living quietly on farms, under the official radar, but in the open countryside it's tough without services.

Someone is living near me in a 12' van and a tent. It's rough ground and fairly well-concealed, but not that well, or I wouldn't know! We've had a mild winter. What it would be like in a bad one, I dread to think.

Widelats

Yes i think your all correct, thanks for the advices.

oystercatcher

We tend to holiday around the UK in costal places and have seen roads with what are obviously private holiday homes, ie. more than a static caravan but not your 'normal brick built home' , some of these places have what appear to be 'empty sites' where we have seen people staying in their own camper vans or caravans.

My perception is that these 'plots' are sold by regular estate agents and have/ need planning permission for use for temporary holiday homes as they would for building of a more permanent home.
Depending on location I believe these plots are very much sought after and sell for a good amount so certainly not a cheap option.

I guess you would have to register interest with Estate Agents in locations you might be interested in.

I would imagine the plots are also liable for council tax and payments for any services such as water or power.