Buyer's Guide - Buying a Caravan
We’re here to make the dream of holiday home ownership a reality with our buyer’s guide. We’ll take you through the simple step-by-step process towards owning a caravan of your own, so you can eliminate the admin and make the best choice for you and the family. Join a world where the kids can roam free, where the escape from the hustle and bustle is constant and where the goodbyes are only temporary. A place to return to as and when you please is waiting in the wings for your arrival.
Discover caravans and lodges for sale
Step 1. Choose a location
As an owner, you’ll have the privilege of returning to your holiday home as and when you please during the season, meaning you’ll want to choose a park that’s as convenient as it is charming.
With an array of picturesque Haven locations dotted around the UK, you’re never too far from the ideal spot. Sample our stunning settings and find the perfect park for your holiday home.
Consider the following factors to find a park to tick all your boxes:
- How often you intend to visit
- The experiences on the park itself
- The things to do in the local area
Step 2. Understand the costs
There are three different costs to consider as a prospective holiday homeowner:
The cost of the holiday home itself
The annual site fees to cover the cost of your holiday home at your chosen park
The annual running costs for amenities in your holiday home
Fear not, as a Haven owner there are many different ways to offset these costs and make holiday home ownership much more affordable than it may first seem.
Cost of the holiday home explained
The price you see on our website covers the cost of the property itself and essential add-ons like siting, connection and safety and security.
Decking must added to your total package price on Silver grade caravans and above, which isn't included in the prices shown online, but you will receive a full price breakdown during your park ownership visit.
You'll secure your holiday home with a 10% deposit and can pay in full, or with monthly instalments if you buy with finance. If you let your caravan, you'll earn income you can put towards your costs.
Take a look at our articles below for more information on the above.
Guide to caravan finance article
Guide to letting out your static caravan article
Cost of site fees explained
Site fees cover the right to site your holiday home your chosen Haven park. This includes:
Maintenance and security
Grass cutting
Landscaping and park upkeep
Use of all park facilities including exclusive owners-only features
Site fees are payable in advance of the season start on March 1 each year. They start from £4,645 and vary based on pitch location at the park.
Let2offset is our new letting service for new customers, and existing customers who are part-exchanging through Haven, which provides a monthly letting income and the ability to pay your site fees monthly in equal payments. Terms apply. Find out more by visiting our lettings page.
Costs to run your holiday home explained
These cover the cost of utilities needed for your holiday home, including:
Water
Gas
Electricity
Insurance
The total running costs of your holiday will vary from year to year. Our team of experts will walk you through these and help you decide the best way to cover them.
Step 3. Choose a holiday home
The world of holiday home ownership throws up a world of choice that makes it easier than ever to find a holiday home that suits your needs. There are no shortage of options, but this can sometimes throw up a whole load of questions!
Our experienced park team will support you with your decisions and recommend holiday homes based on your requirements. Step 4 on this page explains why we think a park visit is the best way of finding your perfect home-from-home. However, we understand you might want to do some initial homework before making a trip to a park, and hopefully, the following sections will help answer any questions you have.
Explore our caravans for sale
If you fancy a brand-new caravan, visit our handpicked range page where you'll find our best models grouped to guide you through our extensive choice of caravans. Go for Bronze if you're after an attractive but practical first caravan; Silver if you seek extra space with style or Gold if you desire the finest home comforts.
We also have on our parks a selection of pre-loved caravans, which may just be the thing if you want to make your budget stretch that bit further. Our used caravan page highlights some of the benefits of buying pre-owned. If you're still struggling to decide between new and used caravans, see our guides which are full of advice:
Benefits of buying a brand-new caravan
Why buy a used vs new static caravan?
The differences between the caravans
See our lodges for sale
For high-end features and comfort, visit our lodge page. This page shows you some of the lodges we have for sale and the parks which have exclusive lodge areas. Lodges are 16 feet wide so if you're after maximum space as well as luxury, then a lodge could be for you.
Our article on buying a luxury lodge versus a static caravan has useful information on the key differences between the two.
Step 4. Book an ownership park visit
Now for the exciting part! Once you’ve had a browse online, get in touch with us to book an ownership park visit where you'll see our caravans for sale as well as explore the park.
In just a few hours, you'll get a good understanding of what life as an owner is like, but you can spend as much time on the park as you need and there will be no pressure to buy. It's really important that you take your time and make the right decision for you.
Learn all about a park ownership visit in our benefits of a park ownership visit article.
Step 5. Buy your home with our park teams
Our park team will go through all the figures with you on a park visit. They'll also go through the letting options available to you, if you're looking to offset some of your costs. Once you're ready to buy, and you're happy with your final quote, you'll agree how to pay. Options include payment in full by BACS, credit or debit card, or a park finance package (subject to status).
Once you've bought a static caravan on one of our parks, you'll quickly settle into park life. However, if you decide that the Haven lifestyle is not what you were expecting, we offer a 30-Day Lifestyle Money Back Guarantee. In other words, for 30 days after buying your holiday home, you're entitled to hand back the key and walk away, and we'll return the money.
1 T&Cs applyWe recommend these parks
Activities for all, entertainment in the stylish Marina Bar and Stage, beach fun: it's all a stone's throw away when you own a holiday home at scenic Cleethorpes Beach.
- Premium entertainment venue
- Adventure Village
- Direct beach access
- Owners' lounge
You’re not too near or far from the fun of Skegness when you own a holiday home at Skegness Holiday Park: a superb spot with fabulous facilities.
- Outdoor piazza and stage
- Premium entertainment venue
- Indoor pool
- Beach (nearby)
With a holiday home at Kent Coast, you'll enjoy memory-making experiences and a tranquil and breathtaking setting of the Thames estuary.
- Estuary beach
- Premium entertainment venue
- Adventure Village
- New pitch developments - secure your space
Own a holiday home at Haggerston Castle and between the activities and fun on the park you'll have time to explore every inch of Northumberland's coastline.
- Exclusive owner facilities
- Tower Bar
- Indoor pool and slide
- Entertainment
Our newest models
Step inside and explore your gorgeous new getaway
Find your holiday home
Browse the complete range of caravans and lodge holiday homes for sale across all 39 of our coastal parks.
Caravan ranges carefully chosen to suit a wide range of needs, tastes and budgets
Explore our range of differently sized caravans, including the 4 berth for couples and small families, 6 berth for larger families, and the 8 berth, our spacious holiday home for bigger groups.
Frequently asked questions
All our award-winning holiday parks are on or near the coast and packed with our special combination of activities and entertainment. We're part of Bourne Leisure Limited, one of the UK’s leading holiday home ownership companies, which means we’re always investing more into our parks to give you a great time, all the time.
As an owner you’ll also receive special perks, have access to exclusive facilities and a dedicated Experience team, these are just some of the reasons to choose Haven.
A static caravan is a lifestyle investment, not a financial investment. Static caravans depreciate at a similar rate to cars.
You’ll be the proud owner of a holiday home, but not the land itself.
Your annual fees cover your right to occupy a pitch, as long as you stick to our park rules.
All of our parks are dog friendly with the exception of:
- Burnham-on-Sea with the exception of Cedars Lawn, The Oaks and Hawthorn Close
- Pitches 1-60 Lakelands at The Orchards.
If you wish to bring any animal other than a dog, you must obtain written permission from the General Manager.
A static caravan stays in one place. When you buy a static caravan at Haven it will be sited on one of our 39 holiday parks. Unfortunately, we don’t have static caravans for sale to be moved to other holiday parks.
Many of our Haven Approved used static caravans will already be sited on a specific pitch, which means you could own your own caravan within 7 days. Subject to finance arrangements. If you’re buying a new caravan, or want a Haven Approved used caravan but on a different pitch, then you may have a wait for the pitch you would like to become available and the caravan to be sited on it.
From new, a static caravan can be expected to last for up to 20 years. Of course, this depends on factors such as how well the caravan is maintained.
Haven is National Caravan Council member, which means we follow a consumer code of practice and a set of minimum standards.
One of the most important things you can do is to make sure you read your contract thoroughly and seek legal assistance if needed.
The average depreciation rate of a static caravan is similar to that of a car. It’s also worth bearing in mind that newer caravans depreciate more quickly than older caravans.
You'll need to buy a TV Licence for your static caravan if anyone, at the same time, is watching or recording live TV on any channel or watching or downloading BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer at your main licensed address (your home address).
As the holiday home isn't being used as your sole dwelling (this is known as a residential holiday home), you won't be liable to pay council tax on it.
Buying a static caravan is a big decision, and not one that should be taken lightly. It’s important to think about the reasons why you want to own a holiday home and how much usage you’ll get from it. It’s not the right decision for everyone, so you should think about the pros and cons carefully.
A mortgage isn’t an option when purchasing a holiday home, however there are two ways to pay for your static caravan:
1. Payment in full – Up to £1,000 can be accepted in cash with the remainder paid by cheque, BACS, credit or debit card.
2. Park finance – A minimum of 10% of the value of the holiday home is required as a deposit when using our park finance option. All details can be processed on park. Subject to status.
Our parks are holiday parks, not residential parks. Your holiday home is designed to be used for holidays, leisure breaks and recreation.
There are many things to consider when buying a static caravan.
Firstly, you need to think about what your family needs are, such as how many bedrooms and bathrooms, and whether you’ll want central heating.
Secondly, you need to consider what your budget is, and can you get the caravan you want with the budget you have.
Our Haven Letting Service offers the ultimate peace of mind; our trusted team will do all the hard work so that you don't have to.
We're there for you at every step and our complete letting service gives you the confidence that you and your holiday home are being well looked after.
If you prefer, you can also choose to let you holiday home privately.
Letting options not available at Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Riviere Sands and Seaview. Let2offset is available at all parks with the exclusion of Burnham-on-Sea, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. Terms apply.
Yes – a minimum of 10% of the holiday home price.
If you are interested in buying a static caravan at one of our Haven parks please email our team at enquiries@havenholidayhomes.co.uk and they will be happy to help.
That’s a definite yes. We’re here to help in any way we can – that includes a range of payment options (subject to status).
If you are interested in buying a static caravan at one of our Haven parks, please give us a call on 0333 202 1460 and we'll be happy to help.
If you would like to use finance to pay for your holiday home, all that we ask for is a 10% deposit of the value of the holiday home.
Our interest rate is 10.6% APR (subject to status).
New holiday homes are available from £449.75* per month.
If you are interested in buying a static caravan at one of our Haven parks please chat to us online or call us on 0333 0201460.
Representative finance example. Holiday home cash price £29,995, less deposit of £2,995.50, gives a loan amount of £26,995.50. 84 monthly payments of £449.75. Total charge for credit £10,790.10. Total amount payable £40,785 which includes the deposit amount. The interest rate is 5.71% fixed / 10.6% APR (representative). Subject to status and availability.Holiday home cash price includes siting, connections and standard accessories. Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to availability. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd (t/a Haven) is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited. Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.We are a finance broker, so once your finance agreement is in place, you will need to contact Santander directly if you have any queries. Their contact information will be on your finance paperwork and they’ll be happy to help.
This depends on your circumstances and the lending criteria of Santander, our finance provider.
When you are ready to buy a holiday home and apply for finance, the Holiday Home Advisor submitting your finance application will need to see originals of the following documentation to prove identity:
- Passport or driving licence
- Birth certificate or a marriage certificate if you don’t have a passport or driving licence.
- Proof of address such as a recent (within three months) utility bill or bank statement
Please note: our finance provider Santander may ask for additional information
This depends on your individual circumstances. Santander, our finance provider has lending criteria that borrowers must meet.
If you’re interested in buying a holiday home on finance, our Holiday Home Advisors can see if finance is an option for you during a park visit.
We don’t, but Santander, our finance provider might do.
You’ll be the proud owner of your holiday home when your last monthly payment to Santander has cleared. Please note: you’ll own the holiday home not the pitch or land the holiday home sits on.
When you’ve found your dream holiday home, your Holiday Home advisor on the park can submit an application for finance to Santander, our finance provider. They’ll create the application with you on the park and submit it for you.
We will need to see your identification documents:
- Passport or driving licence
- Birth certificate or a marriage certificate if you don’t have a passport or driving licence.
- Proof of address such as a recent (within three months) utility bill or bank statement
Our finance provider Santander may ask for additional information.
Please note: we may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
You can discuss all things finance on a visit to the park you're interested in. Here's where you can book your park visit
When you’re planning to buy a holiday home, there are a few extra costs to be considered such as annual site fees, non-domestic rates, water, gas, electricity, safety tests, insurance and alarm maintenance.
These start from £5,627 and can change from year to year.
It’s also worth keeping in mind any extras you might fancy such as getting your holiday home prepared for winter.