What do you consider a reasonable annual site fee?

dingodollars

I’m weighing up whether owning a holiday home on a park actually makes sense long term, and the one thing I’m struggling to judge is site fees.

I’ve seen parks charging anywhere from around £2,000 a year up to £6,000+, sometimes with very similar facilities on paper.

I understand there are real costs involved — maintenance, grounds, security, facilities etc — but I’m curious where people draw the line between fair and taking the mick.

For those who already own:

• What do you pay annually?

• Do you feel it’s reasonable for what you get?

• Have your fees increased much since you bought?

Interested to hear real-world experiences rather than sales pitches.

vacheron

Parents have owned a static on a site in the scottish borders for the last 14 years. It is a well known and well regarded site with good facilities. Site fees were £1250 when they first bought, and they are £2450 now, which we still consider fairly reasonable considering the prices some are charging in many areas.

gwynlas

Fees differ dependent on facilities available pools clubhouse etc so it iis up to you to decide what is reasonable.

A lot of people on here appear to have static caravans but overall I think they are a detiorating asset and only worthwhile if you ensure to really make use of them

Albermarle

Considering the stories you hear about rogue operators of these parks, I would research the company owning the park, and read the T's & C's very carefully before signing anything.

swingaloo

A quick Google and a read of HPAG will soon change your mind.

BungalowBel

We had a static caravan in Snowdonia  for three seasons. (2016-2018)

The site fees were about three grand.  For that we got a beautiful woodland site, each van had a nice little garden and at least one parking spot (we had two).  Because the site was on a sloping woodland, the vans were not just in anonymous rows, but sited as the trees and slope allowed, so looked far more natural.  There were waterfalls and streams.  The site was immaculately managed, kept safe whilst not spoiling the natural woodland.  There was also a small boutique hotel with a bar and restaurant on the site.

We considered the fees reasonable, but in the end it was because of these that we sold up, as we decided we would rather spend three grand on going to different places.

I expect the fees are more now.

Only you can decide whether you consider  the fees are reasonable or not.

ETA : Expect to lose a lot of money on your 'van if you sell up, they are a rapidly depreciating asset.  We knew this when we bought it, but many people don't seem to realise.

Nebulous2

I've a tourer, but have known a lot of people with statics, a lot of them who've had no end of hassle. 

Problems often centre around change of ownership. Nice couple who are friendly and reasonable, know their customers personally and are well liked. They decide they need to get out / retire or are made an offer they find difficult to refuse. 

A big company takes over and the problems start very quickly. Big increases in fees, additional charges and increasing rules such as enforcement of maximum age for vans. 

I knew one couple who got so fed-up they wanted to leave and found somewhere else to take their van. The new owners wouldn't let a lorry on site to collect it and charged £300 to tow it to the front gate for the lorry to collect from there. 

The bad reputation and complaints are often deserved in my view. 

BungalowBel

When we sold ours, we were given options. 

a) We could sell it ourselves, but if we did, the site wouldn't guarantee that they would extend the lease when it came to its end (in about three years).  Other than that, not a problem, they didn't want a cut of the proceeds or any other monetary compensation.
b) The site would sell it for us at a price we decided, but in this case they would have a cut of the proceeds (can't remember how much).
c) We could sell the 'van back to them at a price they decided, they would guarantee a lease extension and then they would sell it on at a price they decided.
d) we could sell it off site.  We never seriously consider this option so I can't remember the details.


We went with option c) as we felt the price they offered us, although far less than we paid for it, was fair and it was hassle-free.  I don't know how much they sold it on for, and don't care.

Just an example of how one site does it if you want to sell.  

alamest

I think it really depends on what you’re actually getting for the money, rather than the headline figure.

For a site that’s genuinely well run – decent maintenance, security, grounds kept properly, communal areas looked after, and no constant “extra” charges popping up – I’d say somewhere in the low-to-mid thousands a year doesn’t sound unreasonable these days. Especially if it’s a larger site where costs are spread fairly.

What would put me off isn’t so much the fee itself, but lack of transparency. If the accounts are vague, reserve funds aren’t explained, or costs keep creeping up without clear justification, that’s usually a red flag.

I’d also factor in how responsive the management company is. Paying less but constantly chasing repairs or dealing with issues yourself isn’t really a saving in the long run.

So for me, a “reasonable” fee is one that’s clearly itemised, predictable year to year, and actually delivers value – not just the cheapest number on paper.

FIREDreamer

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