It’s a question we hear regularly:

“My holiday park says I have to pay them 15% if I sell my static caravan. Is that right?”

The answer is:

It depends on how you're selling the caravan and, importantly, what your agreement with the holiday park actually says.

There is a big difference between selling your caravan on its pitch to another holidaymaker and selling the physical caravan off-site for removal.

And that distinction is something every caravan owner should understand before agreeing to pay thousands of pounds.

Selling Your Caravan On-Site

If you're selling your caravan to somebody who is going to keep it on the same holiday park, you're normally doing more than simply selling the physical caravan.

The new owner will usually need arrangements with the park allowing them to occupy the pitch and use the park and its facilities.

Your agreement with the holiday park may provide for a commission or transfer charge when an on-site sale takes place.

HMRC's guidance specifically recognises that commission on sales of second-hand sited caravans can arise under the terms of the licence agreement.

So if you're selling on-site, read your agreement carefully.

But What If I'm Selling My Caravan Off-Site?

This is where owners need to ask questions.

If you're selling the caravan to a trader such as Static Trader and we're removing it from the holiday park completely, that isn't the same transaction as selling the caravan on its pitch to a new owner.

There's no new owner taking over your holiday pitch through us.

We're buying the physical caravan and arranging for it to leave the site.

So if you're told that you must pay 15% regardless, don't simply assume that's correct.

Ask the park to show you exactly where that charge appears in your agreement and whether it applies specifically to an off-site sale.

Don't Confuse Holiday Caravans With Residential Park Homes

This is particularly important when researching the subject online.

You may find government information stating that a park owner receives commission of up to 10% when a residential park home is sold in England.

Those statutory rules relate to qualifying residential park homes under the Mobile Homes Act regime.

Government research on the 10% commission expressly says it does not cover holiday caravans or holiday parks.

So don't automatically apply residential park-home information you've found online to a holiday caravan.

Ask Your Holiday Park This Question

If you're considering an off-site sale, ask the park:

“Can you please confirm in writing what charges apply if I sell my caravan to an outside buyer and the caravan is permanently removed from the park?”

If they say there's a 15% charge, ask:

“Can you please show me the relevant clause in my licence agreement?”

That gives you something concrete to check rather than relying on a verbal conversation.

There May Still Be Removal Costs

Not paying a particular sales commission doesn't necessarily mean there are no costs involved.

Depending on your agreement and the park's procedures, there may be charges or requirements relating to things such as:

Disconnection • De-siting • Decking • Services • Pitch clearance • Outstanding fees • Access for collection

Find out what applies before accepting an offer for your caravan.

That way everybody knows where they stand.

Selling Your Static Caravan Off-Site?

This is something Static Trader deals with every week.

We buy static caravans from holiday parks across the UK and can arrange the collection and transport of the caravan.

If you've been told you need to pay 10%, 15%, 20% or another fee to sell your caravan, send us the details.

We're happy to look at the situation with you and explain how an off-site purchase would work from our side.

For advice on the legal interpretation of your specific agreement, you should take independent legal advice.

Thinking About Selling Your Static Caravan?

Before accepting your park's offer or assuming you have to pay a percentage to sell elsewhere find out what your agreement actually says.

Then send Static Trader:

Make • Model • Year • Size • Location • Photos • Park name

and tell us what the park has said about an outside sale.

We'll take a look at the caravan and see whether we can help.

Selling off-site? Get a valuation before making your decision.