Caravan Site Fees during Covid 19

Undervalued

Galloglass said:

For the uninitiated, a "static" caravan is not static. They are moveable and can move on/off site

The OP is at liberty to remove his unit to another site to store on their ground or his own if local planning allows. Saw one on the roads this week. Statics are subject to local planning rules which is why parks provide spaces which are licenced for them. In effect the park is providing annual [licensed] storage (minus the period of closure) for a fee. 

No, it is still providing the storage it is just that the law prevents the OP going! 

barbedhook

I don’t think it costs £3000 to store a caravan on any site in the country yes they have to maintain the site and cut the grass etc but it doesn’t take an army of workers to do this.most of their staff will be furloughed anyway. And you can’t just go on and take your van off without having to pay over a £1000 to the site owner. I think while ever they are closed they should return a portion of the site fees back to the owners. 

lincroft1710

barbedhook said:

I don’t think it costs £3000 to store a caravan on any site in the country yes they have to maintain the site and cut the grass etc but it doesn’t take an army of workers to do this.most of their staff will be furloughed anyway. And you can’t just go on and take your van off without having to pay over a £1000 to the site owner. I think while ever they are closed they should return a portion of the site fees back to the owners. 

Most of the annual fee will be the cost of the caravan actually being on site

Philip_P

Most of the site fees go towards the services provided by the resort, not to store a caravan.
If a resort advertises itself as providing certain services, such as a pool, jacuzzi, gym, childrens activities and night time entertainment then fails to provide them, it should follow that a refund is applicable, regardless of the reason
For failing to provide them.
Having said all that, I suppose it all depends what the contract says.

aspooler

Whilst I understand the thoughts of many posters here , my caravan contract for the different sites i have been on over 30 years and those of others in my family round the uk are pretty much the same. You are paying the vast  bulk of the fee  to  have the caravan on the site for season  and winter storage . Nothing in the contract says what amenities they provide above water , provision of electric and sewage disposal , some contracts could say about it,  but not in my experience to date. There is a standing charge for gas system and electric  testing fees also repair and maintenance of the service supply and grass cutting . One thing to add is  the government have officially closed the sites not the owners, they're complying with government and local authority requirements who hold their licence. 
If this is your only place of abode ..you can still have access to your caravan, it us the use of second non residential homes that is  banned . 
As to taking the caravan off site , there is  always a set up and removal fee to ensure safety and meet insurance requirements, so that is always an option.
Asking the site for some ex gratia refund is  a reasonable request  , however if you wish to use breach of contract to gain recompense, then I suggest you start digging out your contract and have a read, then I suggest take proper independent advice.

webstergm

I have a static caravan on a site in Scotland which is used as a holiday rental to provide an extra income. Like others I paid my £3K 2020 Pitch Fees 1st January 2020. When the site was closed in March I asked the park owner about a Pitch Fee reduction for loss of access to the caravan. According to my contract there are only two services which contribute to the Pitch Fee - Grounds Maintenance and Land Drainage. All the groundsmen were put on furlough immediately the park closed so there can't be either of these two services being provided. I read on the CMA website that I should ask the park owner what services are being provided and then work out if any refund was due. The park owner flatly refuses to say what services make up the Pitch Fee. Any thoughts?

DSH1970

We booked a seasonal touring pitch for the season (6 months) and did not take our caravan to the site (as we were locked down).  Our caravan site took 33% deposit from us and have offered a 20% discount for the season, despite only 42% of the season remaining.   Basically, this means the site has been shut for 58% of the season and we are being asked to pay 65% of the fees lost over the lock down period.  We have also had to pay additional caravan storage costs.  Should we be only be paying pro-rata for the rest of the season or is it fair to share the lock down cost when my van hasn't even been there?  If so how munch of the lock down cost should we pay.

Glengowrie

We have a static van on a small site in Devon which was closed due to Covid. We have been offered a refund of 20% of the fees which cover the period of closure. Additionally we don't have to pay Council tax on it this year.  The site was under no obligation to refund anything and the small refund was a surprise and much appreciated. We haven't been able to enjoy the van yet this year but summer isn't yet over and thank God none of us has suffered from the virus.  This is small beer in the light of the pandemic.

aspooler

DSH1970 has a different problem from most of  the posters that this is not a static van . Money may not be the only way you can get some leverage, aside fear that the numbers may now be non negotiable , but feel to do so. An alternative  maybe to  open up the possibility of getting an additional discount next season or an earlier or later access or even some free gas or electric . Whilst these are not tangible cash offers  , they may go someway to making you feel a fairer deal has been agreed. My site owner offered these as incentives plus guaranteed no increases for 3 years . It may not be cash but it is all part of the discussion as we are on a very small local site .

Devon_Home_Girl

Our lodge site owner has furloughed one full time member of staff so he’s been getting 80% from the government but not giving owners any discount, therefore he’s been making money out of this. He has offered to extend everyone’s lease for one year (ours is 2042!) but that’s all. It’s left a very sour taste, not nice at all.