Latest news with #staticcaravan
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Very, very stressful months - static caravan owner from Coventry
The last few months have been "very, very stressful", according to Sandra Thompson, after she and husband Mark bought a static caravan at a park near York was purchased in 2019 and the price was £66,000 including site fees for the Thompsons, from Coventry, were free for the first year and then £3,995. But in just three years, Mr Thompson said they were facing a demand for £7, Golf and Country Park said fee increases reflected its increased costs and enhanced offering. The couple eventually asked the site to buy back their lodge and now have a £40,000 Thompson said: "You feel embarrassed in one way that you've done this and why didn't you think about it more?"But you look at the dream and think 'no, this is what we want to do, we're at that time in our life where we can do it'. "But then you think 'we did read all the contracts, we did everything that we thought... was right'." In September 2024, the couple asked the site to buy back their sales manager offered £23,000 – little more than a third of what they had Thompson has said they had no choice but to accept: "I just said, yeah, let's move on. It is making you ill."But soon after leaving, they were shocked to see their lodge back up for sale, in exactly the same lakeside spot, for £110,000 - £87,000 more than they had been been paid for Thompson stated that at one point "Mark... I don't think he slept for weeks"."It was just, you know, taking his toll on it. He didn't wanna go up there and have the discussions all the time, so that was the last straw."Mr Thompson said: "I was driving up there sometimes and all I was thinking about is what I'm gonna say to the manager when I get there, not 'oh, I can't wait to get there to sit on the decking to have a few drinks and enjoy the sunshine'." Mrs Thompson said the couple had "taken a mortgage out to fund it in the first place"."We've still got that debt now."Their story began with wanting to be closer to their son in Leeds."We thought it'd be nice, lovely part of the country, to see York," Mrs Thompson said."Our son has now had our first grandchild, so that was even better, so we thought we'd spend lots of time having our grandchild there and meeting up with our family."We did. We used it for a long time and friends joined us there and family joined us there."Allerthorpe Golf and Country Park said site fee increases "reflect the growing cost of operations" and "the significantly enhanced offering".It strongly rejected any suggestion of deception, saying "the final decision on whether a caravan remains on park is a business and operational matter and the listing price reflects significant upgrades and premium location, not simply the original unit value". Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I paid £200 for a filthy static caravan & made it my dream home – I even have a walk-in wardrobe
PAYING rent or buying a house can be a huge expense these days - but one woman shared how she bought a static caravan for £200. While the tiny home needed a lot of work doing to it, Catherine shared how she was able to look past the dirty interior and turned it into their dream pad. 3 3 On her @catherineelizabethb, she shared incredible before and after photos of their affordable home. She wrote: 'A year of hard work and determination and we have our home. 'We've been actually living in here for half a year now and I love it so much. 'The best decision we've ever made.' Catherine shared how her partner had found the property in October 2023 for £200 and were lucky enough to use family land to house it. She showed how the interior was 'filthy and had not been looked after.' However, it did not put them off and they set about transforming it into a cosy pad. This included adding a new wooden floor, a rug and new curtains into the lounge. They also added a log burner for warmth which they 'loved' during winter. The savvy couple also gave the kitchen a facelift, and changed the old wooden cabinets and white countertop for cream units and a wooden top. Thankfully they didn't need to replace the oven, which saved them some cash. They then decided to transform one of the twin bedrooms into a bathroom to give them more space and said the last room had been 'too small.' Catherine then turned the old bathroom into a stylish walk-in wardrobe. A year after they bought the caravan they were able to move into their new chic space, with the entire renovation not costing a fortune. 3 Catherine shared: 'I don't have an extra number but I reckon a couple of thousand. 'We got as much second hand as possible and luckily had friends/family who got us stuff for cheaper.' Thousands of people have liked their video, with one saying: 'You've done an amazing job, it's gorgeous.' A second commented: 'How you added so much character to a caravan is beyond me! 'Absolutely incredible job. What a lovely home you've made.' According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2021 there were 104,000 households in England & Wales living in caravans or temporary structures. This was an increase of 19,000 over the previous decade. Meanwhile, the average UK house price in 2024 was roughly between £268,000 and £290,000. How much does it cost to live in a caravan? LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs: Initial Costs Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 Utilities: £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 Internet and TV: £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself. Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs. While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.
