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Tuesday, Oct 14, 2025

UK Holiday Park Industry Faces Legal Action Over Mis-Sold Caravans

UK Holiday Park Industry Faces Legal Action Over Mis-Sold Caravans

Nearly 2,000 individuals join a collective lawsuit against the holiday park sector, claiming misrepresentation and exorbitant fees.
Campaigners have urged the UK government to address concerns surrounding the holiday park industry, which has been described as a 'wild west' environment.

Nearly 2,000 individuals have joined a group legal action alleging they have suffered significant financial losses due to mis-sold static caravans and unfair pitch fees.

The Holiday Park Action Group, spearheading this legal initiative, reports a growing number of claimants, many of whom have reportedly lost their life savings and been forced to sell their homes as a result of steep financial losses.

The group is pursuing compensation from holiday park operators, arguing that caravans were sold at inflated prices while sites imposed steep increases in pitch fees.

These practices often compelled buyers to sell their caravans when they could no longer afford the rising costs.

Carole Keeble, founder of the Holiday Park Action Group, stated, "Nobody controls this industry.

It’s like the wild west, they’re free to do what they like, how they like.

People losing their life savings – that is the norm."

The group's legal action includes two primary claims: one challenging the 'unfair and legally unenforceable' pitch fees, which they argue rise excessively and without proper notice, and another addressing the allegations that buyers were not adequately informed about the substantial depreciation in caravan value.

Caravans, like vehicles, tend to depreciate quickly due to wear and tear and changing designs.

Many parks have rules mandating the removal of caravans after they reach a certain age, impacting their desirability.

Buyers have frequently reported selling their units back to park owners for a fraction of the initial purchase price.

Unlike residential park homes, holiday park lodges and caravans are designated for short-term use and cannot be lived in year-round, compounding the financial challenges for owners.

Sally Nicholls, 70, recounted her experience after losing more than £50,000 on a holiday lodge purchased at Tattershall Lakes Country Park, operated by Away Resorts, in 2020. She had anticipated generating rental income to support her retirement but faced escalating costs, including pitch fees and guest passes.

“Within months, the caravan park started pushing up the price of pitch fees, as well as the cost of the passes guests needed to use on-site facilities, making the venture unfeasible,” Ms. Nicholls stated.

The increase in pitch fees at her holiday park rose from £4,800 in 2020 to nearly £7,000 in 2023, alongside a significant rise in park pass costs from £80 to £200.

In the end, she sold the lodge for £15,000, a stark contrast to her original investment of £69,000.

Away Resorts responded to claims related to the holiday park industry's economic conditions, emphasizing the challenges faced by the sector due to rising operational costs exacerbated by the pandemic and increased living expenses.

They affirmed their commitment to maintaining a professional approach to holiday home ownership.

Hugh Preston KC, representing the group, noted the lack of proper regulations governing holiday parks compared to residential mobile homes, highlighting borrowers' difficult position when faced with rising fees in the context of depreciating asset values.

Keeble mentioned that many affected individuals are elderly and vulnerable, often purchasing with the hope of a secure retirement investment.

Nicholls expressed her willingness to raise awareness of the issues, emphasizing the urgent need for regulation in the industry.

A spokesperson for Away Resorts reiterated their commitment to providing prospective buyers with comprehensive information and clear contract terms to facilitate informed decisions.

They also cited the necessity for adjustments in pitch fees in response to the broader economic landscape.
Comments

Christ Manning 123 days ago
The MAIN and probably only issue is monetary greed on the part of the "outfits" that operate. Lets face it - they will skin their grannys for sixpence, and the lifetyles of the directors says it all. Personal helicopters are becoming the norm. Repugnant to the working couple on the average joint wage facing the tight monetary times WE are experiencing. Regulatory legislation is the only remedy, and fast.
Mia Ward 123 days ago
When you buy a caravan you are supposed to read the contract. In that contract it tells you how much your ground rent goes up by each year, usually in line with inflation and during covid inflation was sky high. What they sell you a van for is up to them in the same way as anything else you purchase. You agreed the price before purchasing it. Most problems come because people see the dream, don't do their homework, can't afford it in the first place and buy on the never never - finance. Its no good crying because you haven't done your due diligence! Its YOUR FAULT!! I have no affiliation with any park but I have had vans for years.
john jobes 123 days ago
D Hilton the main problem is the salesperson will tell you what you need to here they will not tell you what happens if you end up having to sell because they are ripping you off if tens of thousands of pounds so no one can say you knew what you were buying into that’s wrong in there eyes if they are selling you a caravan it’s worth 60k 2 years later you need to sell that same caravan is worth 12k then up to 3k for disconection fees so then that same caravan stays on its plot then gets sold for 60k because the salesperson says that’s how much it is worth the same caravan which has not been moved but the previous owner has been charged 3k for disconnection fees so he has been conned out of 3k that is called being conned
Adrian Bryce 123 days ago
Those not condemning caravan parks for their underhanded repugnant treatinment of owners are obviously shills for the caravan industry, it's common knowledge of the unscrupulous manner in which these parks are run.
D Hilton 123 days ago
I am bored with people that complain about losing money when they have obviously enjoyed the holidays they have had but don’t want to pay they are like dine and dashers bottom feeders if you ask me
D Hilton 123 days ago
The best thing I did was buy a static holiday caravan and sell my house, I would recommend this to anyone Live Life you only have the one!


Or you can be a miserable sod and constantly complain about what things cost and complain because others can afford what you can’t you decide it’s your life
Annon 123 days ago
It is quite clear that this “industry” is working without any “governance” by any official dept.
There is restrictive trading where only site spproved “tradesmen” are allowed on site. The practice where a caravan is purchased for example £50k and used by the purchaser for say 5 years. During that time the “cost” of keeping that caravan on the site has doubled and can no longer be afforded by the owner. The owner is “cajoled” into selling the caravan back to the site for less than 10% of what the owner paid. The owner is told that they need to pay for the “disconnection and removal” of the van from the site (costs could exceed £3000). The van doesn’t move but goes back on sale for say £45000. Once sold the site has made a healthy profit of £40,000 plus the £3k charged for the non existing cost of disconnecting the van and moving it off site. If you need to see any more examples of “dubious trading” please join Holiday Park Action Group and ensure that all your friends and neighbours do the same. You will be astonished! 😡
Elaine Massey 123 days ago
I agree with HPAG that people buying caravans are going into an unregulated industry. Buying caravans at inflated prices & when they cannot afford hiked fees have to sell their asset back at a massive loss, only for their asset to resold at an inflated price.
Another issue is when a new unscrupulous owner purchases the caravan site & issues notices to remove assets - caravans etc, bringing in new rules so the purchaser suffers financial losses.

Yes this industry needs regulating but the government will not listen to aggrieved caravan owners.
Steven Lee 124 days ago
I love my caravan and i love caravan parks, ignore the ney sayers as clearly those that are complaining expect site fees to be free? Caravans are great and good value for money i highly reccomend a uk caravan holiday, if you have never tried it give it a go! Or is the problem that caravans are a uk holiday for uk born people my family have had caravans for generations, and the caravans today are more like houses than caravans if you ask me
Dave Ellis 124 days ago
Stop gypsies running sites don't give them licences it's them that are ripping people off

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