Even though the term ‘static caravan’ hints towards immobility, they can be moved around. Unlike a motorhome or touring caravan, most people purchase a static caravan to keep it idle at one place as a holiday home.
However, sometimes circumstances change, and these caravans then need to be moved to a new location.
In this article, you will get to know where you can move your static caravan and delve into the financial considerations involved.
Common Reasons Behind Moving A Static Home
Given below are the common reasons why you may want to move your static caravan to a new location :
A better pitch is available on the holiday park, so the owner simply wants to shift to a better location.
An individual may want to move to a newer location.
Monthly billing constraints
The stay limit on your current residential park could be over the line causing you to move out.
Selling a static caravan to a private buyer/market
In any of the above cases, there come various factors which affect the price and the movability of your caravan. Thus, the price fluctuations may also be quite volatile, more on this later.
Moving Your Caravan to A Residential Park
If you think that you can simply waltz and take your static caravan to any residential park, then you are wrong. Typically, there are multiple hurdles and hidden costs involved, which make the process quite tedious.
Starting with a residential park, their sole source of profit generation is selling static homes. On-site services and site fees are also paid extra. Due to increasing demand, the number of vacant spots in such parks is mostly limited.
Now think about this - why would the owner of that land let you park your caravan there when they can earn a good amount of potential cash by selling that static caravan or leasing out the space? Although, it is always worth asking. The worst that could happen is that you could get a no.
Furthermore, if a residential park does finally accept your caravan, they will also bill you for the privilege, which is negotiable to some extent. Many parks also want to maintain a balanced aesthetic appeal throughout the park.
Thus they may disregard your home if it is a certain colour, brand, or size and may ask you to make some modifications to match with the rest of the park. Homes that are older than ten years are also not welcomed.
If your luck is strong, you may find some good empty plots in large holiday parks such as Haven and Parkdean resorts which aren’t to be sold when you ask around.
Lastly, you can also enter the query “move my caravan for free” in the search bar and see if there are any potential options in your area.
Moving Your Caravan to A Private Land
You might be stuck in the dilemma that you can easily place your caravan into your backyard without any repercussions. However, planning approval is a big hurdle when doing so.
The planning process requires both money and time. Even if you live at an idyllic location, the land where you place your caravan should be your primary dwelling and fit well into the size regulations and cartilage of your home.
No planning permission is required if your caravan fits into your backyard/garden. Keep in mind that you cannot live in the caravan on private property as a standalone entity (annexation). You must only use it as an additional shed/breakaway space.
The regulations also forbid you from renting out the static caravan without providing access to the main property.
How to Move A Caravan?
Now comes the tedious part - moving your caravan. This task will need plenty of manpower and preferably a low-loader truck company/caravan movers.
Before the movers start to come in, disconnect all the amenities and ensure you also get a clearance from your residential park to do this. Doing this a day prior to the moving schedule will also give you time to drain out all the water tanks and fix loose fittings.
The travel route is already decided by the movers beforehand. If your caravan spans over more than 12 feet, you will also have to arrange a lead car which will add to the overall expense.
The process involves three simple steps: loading the caravan on a truck, adjusting the fixtures, and transportation. An experienced professional can do this in a breeze.
It is also worth noting that you might need to get police clearance to carry wide-loads across the road. Get a final one-time quote from the moving company and set things off.
The Costs Involved
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it seems. Determining a single flat rate will not be the most practical.
Each company poses different rates, which can change depending on the size of the caravan and mileage. If you want the best rates for yourself, you should stick to the companies based near your location.
Furthermore, the cost of disconnecting the amenities and police clearance is also to be taken into account. A rough estimate can reach up to a couple of thousand pounds. Here is a place where you can get a rough quotation as per your requirements.
Other Alternatives
Part Exchange
This can be done in a scenario where you have purchased a newer/better holiday house and want to exchange your existing static caravan.
This can reduce the overall cost of the process by a significant extent. You shouldn’t expect to receive an amount that is close to what you paid for your static house, though. Factors like caravan age, condition, and additional upgrades can also impact the price.
If you have tampered with the furniture of your caravan, it will further devalue the price. Many users also upgrade the central heating to make their static house more appealing to buyers.
When it comes to caravan dealers, they typically offer a quote once they visit the property. You must ensure that you don’t have any outstanding finance on your caravan as this further degrades the price drastically.
Selling Privately
In case you can’t get your local park to agree to part exchange, you can consider selling it privately. However, this method won’t be of help if you want some quick cash/reduced costs.
This is due to the additional on-site fees you will have to pay while your caravan is listed on the plot. To catalyze this process, you can further promote your caravan by listing it on the internet. Facebook selling pages can also turn out to be quite handy.
When promoting your static caravan, make sure you put on clear pictures along with an honest description. Local papers can also be used to publicize.
FAQs
Do you need a TV license for a static caravan?
Yes. If anyone has connected to live TV or is streaming content in your static caravan, then you will need to purchase a TV license. However, you are exempted from paying any council tax on your static caravan unless you are using it as your primary dwelling.
Is owning a static caravan a good investment?
Not only is this a good investment, but it also gives you access to an excellent lifestyle that uplifts your mental well-being significantly.
How long do static caravans last?
Most of the park operators will let you keep your static caravan in their park for 8-20 years as per the terms in your site license agreement.
Now that you know the potential places where you can move your caravan, the only thing coming in between is the price. While reselling the caravan can fetch you the maximum resale value, moving it may bring along a heavy price tag.
Always try to ask your local park first if there is an empty spot where you could park your caravan.
Hope this guide helped!
