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Mother retiring, considering static caravan...

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  • SailorSam
    SailorSam Posts: 22,754 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You read so many stories about the owners of these sites charging electric; gas; water ground rent and can raise then whenever they want. If you want to sell you may find you have to sell back to the site owner, at the price he's willing to give. Or he may want you to update to a nice shiney brand new caravan at regular intervals.
    I think they'd be better off downsizing to a smaller house.
    Liverpool is one of the wonders of Britain,
    What it may grow to in time, I know not what.

    Daniel Defoe: 1725.
  • Also, static caravans can be difficult and expensive to keep warm. They are very different in the winter to the summer, waking up to icicles in the bedroom..
  • C_Mababejive
    C_Mababejive Posts: 11,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Many sites have a 10 year age policy so you have to sell the caravan after 10 years (the site owner will take a commission ...) or de-site the caravan and find somewhere else to site it.
    True,they will also charge a hefty fee to move your old shed from its site position to his gate..
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
  • maggy50
    maggy50 Posts: 783 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    The modern day Park Homes are built to be as energy efficient as bricks and mortar if that's what is needed. Ground rent is an average £150 to 180 monthly on some sites and I believe HB would cover that if timea change financially the homes are usually sold the same price of an average small home .

    Holiday caravans have conditions usually the terms state no living as main residence and I believe the government have employed an agency to check out all the sites in the UK expose rogue sites who are allowing people to live in them as their main home, most are only licenced for holiday use only .
    The sites on the major holiday complexes have their own rules about life of the caravan leaving some having to update every so many years .
    Horror stories abound there !!
    Light travels faster than sound.

    This is why some people seem as bright until you hear them.
  • TheTracker
    TheTracker Posts: 1,223 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Possibly anathema to even mention it in the UK but is sell and rent an option? Easy enough to calculate the financial implications.
  • patanne
    patanne Posts: 1,286 Forumite
    I hope your conversation last night left you feeling relieved and not more worried!

    Please let us know how it is going on.
  • Boopop
    Boopop Posts: 26 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Went over a few of the problems with her, she pointed out that some of those mentioned on here would only apply if she lived in a holiday site rather than a residential site. Anyway we did some sums and worked out that she'll have just under £1,300 coming in (the both of them combined). Wasn't entirely sure how that isn't enough for a couple that have paid off the mortgage but nevermind.

    Anyway she says she's now considering moving to a bungalow instead, which seems like a much more palatable idea to me. Anyone have any tips on who she should speak to for advice on what her options are?

    Thanks.
  • missbiggles1
    missbiggles1 Posts: 17,481 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Boopop wrote: »
    Went over a few of the problems with her, she pointed out that some of those mentioned on here would only apply if she lived in a holiday site rather than a residential site. Anyway we did some sums and worked out that she'll have just under £1,300 coming in (the both of them combined). Wasn't entirely sure how that isn't enough for a couple that have paid off the mortgage but nevermind.

    Anyway she says she's now considering moving to a bungalow instead, which seems like a much more palatable idea to me. Anyone have any tips on who she should speak to for advice on what her options are?

    Thanks.

    Does she actually need any advice on what do to or is she talking about specific financial advice for investing what money she has left after buying a bungalow?
  • Towser
    Towser Posts: 1,303 Forumite
    I think there are a few things that can be done before being so desperate as to move to a caravan.

    I intend to downsize property moving to a much cheaper area. If there is any chance of an equity release mortgage after that apply for one.

    Your home is your sanctuary. The last thing you want to do when you are old and decrepid, ill , disabled ect is too move or have no stability in the final years of your life.
  • pelirocco
    pelirocco Posts: 8,275 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Has she thought about applying for sheltered housing ? Friends of my mum sold up and did this
    Vuja De - the feeling you'll be here later
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