Lowfields Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions about buying a holiday home with us?

How long can I keep a caravan on a Holiday Park?

It is important to ask this question of any Holiday Park; in fact some sites will put a time limit of ten years with additional clauses such as you must upgrade every 3-5 years to retain your pitch. However, certain parks (like Lowfields) have an initial Licence period (10 years) and subject to you keeping the exterior of the caravan in good order and the caravan remains within keeping of the quality of the park, you may be offered a new Licence period after the original term has expired. Locations that enable you to retain your caravan there longer will ensure you will obtain more value for your money.

Is there a legal agreement between the Park Owner and Caravan Owner?

Yes, officially it is recommended that you don’t buy a caravan from any park that is not a member of the British Home and Holiday Park or the National Caravan Council (NCC). Certain parks will have their own contract, however the BH & HPA & NCC have for many years had a Licence Agreement that is nationally recognised, which has been recently updated and is covered by a Code of Practise that was approved by The Office of Fair Trading. This Licence and Code of Practise outlines the criteria for ownership and site fees etc and also refers to an Arbitration Scheme on the rare occasion it should be needed.

How much will a Caravan Holiday Home cost me?

This will depend upon the location and the facilities of the park, which vary from a good location to a not so good location. You will generally pay a premium for a good location on a smaller park that has good facilities. A guide price will mean that second hand caravans can be purchased from £11,450 (be cautious on paying anything less, as the comfort levels and maintenance costs could be heavy). Brand new caravans are available from £24,950 ranging to the top models at £65,000 plus (the average price being £29,000 to £35,000).

I want to buy a caravan but I am worried about committing my hard earned savings?

First of all, do you want to have a lifestyle that few people get to enjoy? If your answer to this question is yes then you are ready to buy. Holiday Parks are a collection of people who value the same ideals as yourself. Your Caravan Holiday Home will be the start of a new lifestyle that will enable you to relax and make the most of your life. It will help you to meet new people and make friends and also find new hobbies. Remember, every person who buys a product of this value goes through the same emotions as yourself, but they are now enjoying a fantastic new lifestyle with years of harmony and relaxation to look forward to. A few hours of doubt are a small price to pay for such a reward. At Lowfields the only regret our owners have is that they didn’t buy their Holiday Home sooner!

I don’t retire for a few years, I’m not sure if I would like a Caravan Holiday Home now or if I should wait until I retire so I have a lump sum of capital and more free time?

This is the most common objection that the industry comes across from people in their mid fifties or early sixties. When people retire, they often get a lump sum of capital but their regular income can drop dramatically which leads to a change in their lifestyle, so purchasing a caravan before you retire gives the advantage that you have the opportunity to ease yourself into your new lifestyle and the ability to pay for it while you still have a stable income. When you eventually retire, owning a caravan will be part of everyday life for you and the best advantage is you will get to enjoy it more. Another point to consider is why wait a number of years before you can start enjoying yourself and winding down when you deserve to now?

How can I be sure a Park is as good as it appears without spending lots of time there before I buy?

Ask the Sales Advisor who is showing you around how often present owners upgrade their existing caravans. If owners upgrade regularly throughout the park, it is a sure sign that they are happy there. Many of the holiday home owners who upgrade will have owned a caravan on the park for many years. If you see some owners on a park that you are looking around, don’t be afraid to ask them about the park, the information they give you will be first hand as they have already chosen that park. Many of Lowfields’ new owners have come to our park through recommendations.

Why are some parks strict on allowing sheds, verandas and other add on features that I may like to put around my caravan?

The main reason is fire regulations. Other factors to consider are with lots of add ons to a caravan, it causes the maintenance of the ground and grass cutting to be restricted which causes extra work for the wardens and can lead to an extra charge for maintenance being made. Also, although you may be very good at constructing a shed or veranda that looks lovely, your neighbour may not be as adept. If all owners did this using different styles and quality of products, the look of the park would deteriorate leading to devaluation of the Holiday Homes on the park. Quality parks cater for certain add ons of an endorsed standard and style.

What is a pitch fee and what does it cover? Also, how much is an average pitch fee?

A pitch fee is a charge made by the Park Owner to cover many things such as rent of the pitch, site maintenance (appearance and ground care etc.), water rates, refuse disposal, staffing costs and for the provision of any general amenities on the park. Some parks also include a local authority charge, but others add it on top. (Lowfields include this charge in its pitch fee). Pitch fees will vary according to where the Park is in the country and the size of the Park. Generally, for a quality park with good facilities, you would expect to pay around of £2,500 per year. (Lowfields’ pitch fee is only £1,900 which is very competitively priced for the quality of the park!).

To receive an informative and accurate leaflet on the most frequently asked questions and answers, please contact us.