It's that time of year again.

The season is winding down, and the letter or email from the park arrives with next year's site fee.

For a lot of owners, that's the moment the question comes up:

"Is it still worth keeping the caravan?"

There's no single right answer. For some people, the caravan is worth every penny. For others, the new fee is the point where the sums stop adding up.

Here's how to think it through calmly before you pay, or before you decide to sell.

Why Site Fees Arrive Now

Most holiday parks review their pitch fees once a year, and the new figure is usually announced in the autumn for the following season.

Haven, for example, told owners in October 2025 that its 2026 site fees were going up by 5.2%, with the new amount applied to accounts in mid-November and payable in full by the end of February unless owners were on a monthly scheme.

Other parks work on different timetables, but the pattern is similar. You're often told the new fee in autumn and asked to pay before the next season starts.

That gives you a window. Use it to make a decision instead of just paying because the bill has arrived.

How Much Are Site Fees, Really?

Fees vary a lot depending on the park, the location, the facilities and even where your pitch is on the park.

To give you a rough idea:

  • An independent site that collects fees from parks reports a median annual site fee of around £3,600 across 432 UK parks, with most parks charging less than £4,500 a year.
  • Larger operators with pools and entertainment tend to sit higher. Parkdean Resorts quotes 2026 site fees for new customers of between £3,250 and £12,495 a year.

And the site fee is rarely the only cost.

Add Up the Real Cost of Keeping It

Before you decide anything, write down what the caravan will actually cost you next year. Not just the site fee, but everything.

That might include:

Site fee • Business rates and water (if not included) • Gas and electricity • Insurance • Gas and electrical safety checks • Winterising and draining down • Repairs and general maintenance • Travel to and from the park

As one example, Haven's own buyer's guide shows annual site fees from £4,770 at one of its Lincolnshire parks, plus average gas and electricity of £426, rates and water of £324 and insurance of £217 to £495.

Your park will be different. Ask them for the figures in writing.

Then ask yourself one simple question:

How many nights did we actually spend there this year?

If you divide the total cost by the nights you used it, the answer can be eye-opening. Sometimes it's still great value. Sometimes it's more than a hotel would have cost.

Check What Your Agreement Says About Increases

Your licence agreement should explain how and when your pitch fee can change.

Government guidance on unfair terms in holiday caravan agreements says fee increase terms should be clear, based on defined criteria and come with adequate notice. Industry best practice guidance from the NCC says owners should get at least 45 days' written notice and an explanation of a proposed change.

So if an increase seems out of line, it's fair to ask the park how it has been calculated.

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

When Keeping Your Caravan Makes Sense

We buy caravans for a living, but we'll be honest. Selling isn't always the right answer.

Keeping your caravan may well make sense if:

  • you use it regularly and the family still loves going
  • the increase is modest and you can comfortably afford it
  • you're happy with the park and the way it's run
  • the caravan is in good condition and doesn't need big spending soon
  • you're getting letting income that helps cover the costs

If that sounds like you, pay the fee and enjoy another season.

When Selling Might Be the Better Option

On the other hand, a fee increase is often the final nudge for owners who were already having doubts.

Selling may be worth considering if:

  • you've only been a handful of times this year
  • the total running costs are starting to feel like a burden
  • the caravan is getting older and repairs are on the horizon
  • your park has started talking about the age of your caravan or asking you to upgrade
  • your circumstances have changed, through health, family, work or retirement

If you already know the caravan is going, paying a full year's site fee first can eat into whatever you get for it. It's worth finding out what it's worth before you pay.

Your Options If You Do Sell

You usually have three main routes.

Sell on-site privately. Selling to another holidaymaker who keeps the caravan on its pitch can achieve more, but it can take time, and your park agreement may include a commission or transfer charge.

Sell or part-exchange with the park. Quick and simple, but make sure you understand how the figure has been worked out.

Sell off-site to a trader. A trader such as Static Trader buys the caravan itself and arranges for it to be removed from the park. That's a different transaction from selling on the pitch, so it's worth checking which charges actually apply.

We've written more about each of these here:

Timing Matters

Lots of owners make the same decision at the same time of year, right after the new fees land.

That means more caravans coming up for sale at once, which gives buyers more choice. We explain why in Thinking of Selling Your Static Caravan? Why Waiting Until the End of the Season Could Cost You.

It's also worth asking your park whether any prepaid fees are refundable if you leave part way through the season, and what notice they need.

Before You Pay Next Year's Fee

Here's a simple checklist:

  1. Get next year's fee and all other running costs from the park in writing.
  2. Work out what the caravan really cost you this year, per night used.
  3. Check your licence agreement for how increases, exit costs and sale charges work.
  4. Ask the park what applies if the caravan is sold and removed off-site.
  5. Get a valuation, so you know what selling would actually mean.

Then you can make the decision with real numbers in front of you.

Find Out What Your Caravan Is Worth

Asking for a valuation doesn't commit you to anything.

If your site fees have gone up and you're weighing up whether to keep going, send Static Trader the details and we'll tell you what we believe we can offer.

Send us:

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

and let us know what the park has said about fees and outside sales.

We buy static caravans from parks across the UK and arrange collection.

Get a free valuation, call us on 01797 222 333, text or WhatsApp 07367747734, or email enquiries@statictrader.com.

Whether you keep it or sell it, at least you'll know where you stand.