Holiday lodge explainer: all you need to know about owning a lodge right here in Yorkshire
Have you thought about owning a holiday lodge but been confused by the options? Check out our handy guide.
From paying ground rent to letting out your lodge, there can be a lot to learn about park life.
Let us bust the myths and explain life at Bridlington Holiday Park…
What should I do before I buy a holiday home?
The National Caravan Council (NCC), a not-for-profit trade association that champions the leisure vehicle and parks industry, advises that you "arrange to meet the owner of the holiday caravan/lodge at the park and have a list of questions ready to ask the owner or the sales team – the holiday caravan/lodge may be privately owned by the existing owner or it may be owned by the park owner".
While you are buying a holiday lodge, the park will own the land so there are fees associated with that. At Bridlington Holiday Park, you can buy holiday homes from some of the most respected manufacturers to purchase. All the homes are on plots so they advise you give them a call to make sure you get the best pitch.
What are the benefits of owning a holiday home?
Think of the pleasure of heading to the seaside whenever you fancy it to blow away the cobwebs.
“There are thousands of people who own holiday lodges across the UK and absolutely love it,” says Bridlington Holiday Park owner Ron Finney. “It’s a great way to get away from it all, particularly for older people. It’s a great escape into the countryside and a wonderful lifestyle – plus we’re dog-friendly.”
Can I rent out my holiday home?
Unlike some parks, at Bridlington Holiday Park you can have complete freedom on how you rent your lodge, whether you want to use an online platform or use word of mouth to hire it out to family and friends.
“You can rent out your holiday lodge whenever you are not there,” says Ron. “You can arrange all the details independently, including the cleaning service and who’s coming to stay. We just ask that the people who come to stay follow the park rules.”
Can I live full-time in my holiday home?
Bridlington Holiday Park is open all year round so you can visit your lodge as much as you like – but you must have a permanent residence somewhere else.
You can’t use a holiday lodge as your main residence. To buy a lodge, you have to show a utility bill that proves that you are registered to live at another address. This is because a holiday home isn’t counted as a permanent home, which is why you don’t need to pay council tax or stamp duty.
Can I sell my park home?
Of course! “We are fair and honest – of course we let people sell their own lodges if they want to,” says Ron. It is best to ask your park owner first whether they want to buy back the lodge then resell it.
Will my holiday home make money?
You can rent out your holiday lodge for a fee when you’re not using to generate income. Just bear in mind that there are fees due – the site fees at Bridlington Holiday Park are currently £3,328, which is among the lowest ground fees in the area. Rest assured that you can expect the team to be completely transparent about any increase in fees.
In addition, the NCC says: “Think of your holiday caravan as a long-term lifestyle purchase and not as a property investment – a holiday caravan is a depreciating asset, like a car, and the resale value will be less than the original purchase price.”
How can I find out more information?
Bridlington Holiday Park is located a short walk from both the twon and the beach at Moor Lane, YO15 3QG.
For more details, call 01262 437110 or 07717 281997, email [email protected] or visit their website today.