Where do I stand?

I purchased a caravan on a butlins site a little over a year ago. I passed all money laundering checks, paid a considerable amount of money, signed contracts and had them witnessed by a member of butlins staff.

I've kept all my payments, etc up to date. 
Now, ive received an email from the caravan park manager demanding that I bring identification (bank statement) within 7 days or they will cut off my services and charge me £299 plus vat to have them reinstated. 

I am under the impression that by taking my money, both parties signing the contract which was witnessed and allowed me use of the caravan and site amenities for a year that I am in a valid contract and they are in no position to make demands of me, especially holding my property to financial ransom...

I can get the identification they are asking for but I am at a loss as to why they think this is acceptable behaviour, if indeed even a legal demand to make.

Any help or advice will be appreciated and I thank you for your time 
«134

Comments

  • DE_612183
    DE_612183 Posts: 3,474 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Have they stated why they want your ID?
    Have you asked the manager why they need it?


  • Ommbiance
    Ommbiance Posts: 23 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Posts
    Maybe they've had a audit, and not kept the proper records?
    Or maybe it's an annual requirement?
  • b2k78
    b2k78 Posts: 9 Forumite
    First Post
    DE_612183 said:
    Have they stated why they want your ID?
    Have you asked the manager why they need it?


    Apparently the identification I provided while paying for and signing my contract wasn't suitable... it was good enough for them to take my 30 grand and sign a contract though...

  • b2k78
    b2k78 Posts: 9 Forumite
    First Post
    Ommbiance said:
    Maybe they've had a audit, and not kept the proper records?
    Or maybe it's an annual requirement?
    No, not an annual requirement. I don't see how it's my problem if they had lost the paperwork or whatever... its the demand along with a financial penalty for not complying that has got me mad... 
  • swingaloo
    swingaloo Posts: 3,376 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    It may be that they are trying to get their records in order. Have the other van owners on your site been asked for the same things?

     There was a Panorama programme last Monday night lifting the lid on the shady and corrupt practices these park owners have. It has opened a huge can of worms and a lot of the sites are revamping the procedures and advertising because of the backlash  from the programme.

    There is a site on Facebook called the 'Holiday Park action Group' which is a massive eye opener for anyone owning or thinking of owning caravans or lodges on these sites.
  • demanding that I bring identification (bank statement) within 7 days or they will cut off my services and charge me £299 plus vat to have them reinstated 
    This seems to be a little peculiar and not how most organisations would operate.
    There must be a reason and I'm guessing not your first correspondence with them regarding that reason.

    Is there more to this story than you've told us so far?
  • b2k78
    b2k78 Posts: 9 Forumite
    First Post
    swingaloo said:
    It may be that they are trying to get their records in order. Have the other van owners on your site been asked for the same things?

     There was a Panorama programme last Monday night lifting the lid on the shady and corrupt practices these park owners have. It has opened a huge can of worms and a lot of the sites are revamping the procedures and advertising because of the backlash  from the programme.

    There is a site on Facebook called the 'Holiday Park action Group' which is a massive eye opener for anyone owning or thinking of owning caravans or lodges on these sites.
    No other owners have been asked, it seems to me that they wasn't in a position to offer me a contract in the first place if there were issues regarding my identity. I'm not even sure now whether there is a valid contract in place... its not even the case of providing more identification, that's no problem,  its the demand and penalty thing for not doing something that I shouldn't really have to do (in my mind anyway)
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 19,641 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    b2k78 said:
    I purchased a caravan on a butlins site a little over a year ago. I passed all money laundering checks, paid a considerable amount of money, signed contracts and had them witnessed by a member of butlins staff.

    I've kept all my payments, etc up to date. 
    Now, ive received an email from the caravan park manager demanding that I bring identification (bank statement) within 7 days or they will cut off my services and charge me £299 plus vat to have them reinstated. 

    I am under the impression that by taking my money, both parties signing the contract which was witnessed and allowed me use of the caravan and site amenities for a year that I am in a valid contract and they are in no position to make demands of me, especially holding my property to financial ransom...

    I can get the identification they are asking for but I am at a loss as to why they think this is acceptable behaviour, if indeed even a legal demand to make.

    Any help or advice will be appreciated and I thank you for your time 
    Have you tried ringing the site to make sure this is not a fraudster trying to get details?
    Life in the slow lane
  • b2k78
    b2k78 Posts: 9 Forumite
    First Post
    demanding that I bring identification (bank statement) within 7 days or they will cut off my services and charge me £299 plus vat to have them reinstated 
    This seems to be a little peculiar and not how most organisations would operate.
    There must be a reason and I'm guessing not your first correspondence with them regarding that reason.

    Is there more to this story than you've told us so far?
    in the email he said that they requested it by email on 30th December 2023. I must have missed the email (not checked yet).
    Other than that I have kept to my side of the arrangement. And again, how can i enter into a contract with a party that is unsure of my identification in the first place? Why take my money? Can demands be made after the fact? 
  • b2k78
    b2k78 Posts: 9 Forumite
    First Post
    b2k78 said:
    I purchased a caravan on a butlins site a little over a year ago. I passed all money laundering checks, paid a considerable amount of money, signed contracts and had them witnessed by a member of butlins staff.

    I've kept all my payments, etc up to date. 
    Now, ive received an email from the caravan park manager demanding that I bring identification (bank statement) within 7 days or they will cut off my services and charge me £299 plus vat to have them reinstated. 

    I am under the impression that by taking my money, both parties signing the contract which was witnessed and allowed me use of the caravan and site amenities for a year that I am in a valid contract and they are in no position to make demands of me, especially holding my property to financial ransom...

    I can get the identification they are asking for but I am at a loss as to why they think this is acceptable behaviour, if indeed even a legal demand to make.

    Any help or advice will be appreciated and I thank you for your time 
    Have you tried ringing the site to make sure this is not a fraudster trying to get details?
    It's definitely from butlins 
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.7K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.1K Spending & Discounts
  • 243K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 619.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.5K Life & Family
  • 255.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.