Holiday Home Ownership FAQ’s
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The following information is designed to provide an overview of charges and information relating to Holiday Homeownership at Coastdale Parks.
Company Profile
Coastdale Parks is a family-owned business that has been operating for well over forty years. We own three Caravan Parks and have a settled and stable Management team that believes in building relationships with customers in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
We are members of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, which means we are committed to operating within a framework that ensures good, fair and reasonable practices are observed. All our Parks have the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award which shows we care about the local environment as well as our customers.
Occupancy
A Holiday Home cannot be used as a permanent residence and proof of residence is required from every purchaser before completion. This will be checked on a regular basis to ensure we comply with our Site Licence which is granted by the relevant local authority.
These conditions and the dates of opening and closing of each Park are clearly set out in each individual Site Licence Agreement. Please note that you do not pay council tax on any Holiday Home in any of our parks.
Licence Agreements and Pitch Fees
Our Parks operate a tier system for pitch fees and this will be identified on each licence agreement. The minimum number of years allowed on an agreement is fifteen years from the date of manufacture for a new Holiday Home and twelve years for a used model. Each licence may then be extended by an annual review and the relevant conditions are available in each park. All licence agreements commence on the date of final purchase.
The pitch fee year is 1st January to 31st December. Pitch fees are reviewed annually in the middle of September and owners are informed in writing of the new fee. The methodology for increases is set out in the licence agreement and the pitch fee includes water, but rates and electricity usage are billed separately.
Holiday Homes for Sale
We have relationships with every major Caravan manufacturer and we can supply any caravan with any specification, subject to the size and aesthetics of each Caravan pitch. We also have excellent used models that become available at varying times of the year, and that also offer different levels of specification to suit individual needs.
Insurance & Utilities
You are required to have comprehensive insurance cover for your Holiday Home and there are many companies that offer this.
As part of our duty of care, it is a licence condition that there are current gas and electricity certificates in place at all times. The Park has qualified and approved contractors who will carry this out, but we do ensure that every Holiday Home sold by us carries this certification in the first instance. Gas testing has an annual requirement and electricity three-yearly.
Water usage is currently included in the pitch fee but rates are billed separately and each owner will be informed of this charge on an annual basis.
Gas bottles must be purchased from the Park and fitted by our maintenance personnel, as and when required.
Subletting
Although most of our owners use their Holiday Homes for themselves, family and friends, we do offer a subletting package that can produce a good level of income, although this cannot be guaranteed.
Park Facilities
The use of any/all park facilities is free for owners and the Company may issue passes (to a maximum of six) where appropriate. The Park rules will set out the rules of each facility and opening times will be displayed but may vary depending on the time of year.
WIFI is available in the Park but please note we cannot guarantee connectivity or the level of speed.
Decking
We understand that many owners will wish to add decking to their Holiday homes to enhance the holiday experience. Prior authorisation must be obtained from the Park Manager and the work must be completed by an approved contractor. The position of the Holiday Home, size of a pitch and permissible space will determine the maximum size of decking allowed.
Park Rules
The Park Rules are available in Reception and these may be amended from time to time to reflect changes in policy and/or business needs.
Car Parking
There is room for one car adjacent to every pitch and all other vehicles should be parked in the car park if space allows. Mutual understanding and patience will ensure that there are enough spaces for all our owners and guests.
We do not allow commercial or sign-written vehicles to be parked anywhere other than in the car park, and then only by arrangement.
Holiday Home Finance
Although we do not offer this ourselves there is information on our website that sets out available options for potential buyers.
The Purchasing Procedure
We do not employ specific salespeople as our Park Management has many years of hands-on experience in dealing with customers in a friendly and relaxed manner. We are open seven days a week and are here to fit in with your time schedule for viewing our Holiday Homes so that you can visit when it suits you and your family. There is no obligation and if you do come to one of our Parks, we would encourage you to chat with our guests and owners in a free and open manner.
We are confident that you will hear that we are a Company with great integrity and one that puts our owners and guests first.
When you have selected your Holiday Home and pitch you will be required to complete the sales form and pay the relevant deposit. We will then arrange to either order the Caravan (if from the manufacturer) or site it if it is in stock.
The balance will need to be paid and cleared before the keys are handed over.
A member of our team will carry out a designated handover procedure to ensure that you are happy with everything in your new Holiday Home.
We have a designated email for any sales enquires and this is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have, without obligation – this email is: phillip@normanhurst.net
Included in the price
When you buy from us the price will include; siting, connection to services, Satellite dish (or aerial), gas and electricity testing, Steps, CO2 and smoke detection alarms. We often have specific offers that may enhance the sales package – details of these are available on our website or advertised on the individual park.
Maintenance
When you purchase your Holiday Home you will receive a manufacturer’s warranty if new and details of this will be supplied to you as part of the sales procedure. A used Caravan carries a six-month warranty for any major issues but as a family business, we pride ourselves on our moral obligation to our customers when it comes to ongoing after-sales issues. This means that we will do everything we can to help with any problem you may have and we have a full-time and experienced maintenance team on all our parks.
We offer various services that enable you to enjoy your time at your second home and this includes carrying out a winter drain down which ensures that you are fully compliant with any requirements from your Insurance Company.
Dogs
All our Parks are pet friendly and we allow 2 dogs per Holiday Home subject to compliance with the latest dangerous dog act that names specific breeds.
The park rules set out the requirements for pet owners and this includes them being on a lead at all times and clearing up where necessary.
Selling Your Holiday Home
The caravan may be sold in three ways as set out in the licence agreement:
To us, if we decide we wish to make an offer.
To a dealer, on payment to us of the disconnection fees.
Privately, on a pitch, within the original licence period and subject to the conditions set out in the licence agreement.
You can upgrade the Caravan at any time and clearly the newer the Caravan then the better the part exchange value. At the end of the licence term, the Caravan will need to be removed from the Site and the Company will assist with the facilitation of this process.
We offer some fantastic upgrade offers at varying times throughout the season and these deals will be advertised both on the individual park and on our website.
Q. Are other people allowed to use my holiday home?
A. Absolutely! It is your holiday home and you can allow friends and family to it, or to visit you whenever you please, within the holiday season.
Q. Can I part exchange my holiday home in the future?
A. Yes of course. One of our team will always be happy to help you if you do decide to upgrade to a newer or different model.
Q. What is the difference between a Caravan and a Lodge?
A. A caravan is traditionally 12/13 feet wide whereas a lodge can be substantially bigger and the specification is usually much higher. A Lodge normally comes with a 25 year Site Licence as opposed to the traditional 12 or 15 years for a caravan.
Q. Do holiday homes come with a warranty?
A. Yes. The length of any warranty depends on the holiday home you are purchasing but will be made clear at the point of sale.
Q. Does a holiday home come with all the appliances?
A. All holiday homes come with fully fitted kitchens, but the style and exact specification may vary depending on the model – so always check before you purchase.
Q. Can I choose where my new holiday home is to be sited?
A. This depends on pitch availability when you purchase.
And Finally…..
We have an experienced team of people whose sole purpose is to ensure that all our guests have an enjoyable holiday experience whenever they are staying on one of our Parks. Buying a Holiday Home from us will be an enjoyable and exciting experience that will be conducted in an open and honest manner so that you and your family can enjoy a fantastic time in one of our great locations, with friends old and new.
With Coastdale Parks – what you see is what you get – nothing hidden – no false promises – just good old-fashioned personal service from a family business that really do care about people.