London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Apr 26, 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.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Pam Bondi Details Wisconsin Judge’s Actions Before Arrest: 'Can't Make This Up'
Not Child’s Play: How Competitive Gaming Became a Global Economic Empire
California Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
Peter Navarro: The Man Behind Trump’s Tariff Madness
Milwaukee Judge Arrested on Allegations of Aiding Undocumented Immigrant’s Escape
Former U.S. Congressman George Santos sentenced to eighty-seven months for wide-ranging fraud
Trump administration moves to BAN essentially ALL artificial food dyes in the USA food supply at RFK Jr.'s direction
Woman slaps man at sports game and gets herself and husband beat up
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
China do not pay these tariffs - you pay it. This is new 145% tax you pay to the US government.
Nightlife in the streets of Manchester
In God We Profit
Cultural Battles in the Vatican: The Candidates in the Battle for the Holy See and Pope Francis's Testament
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
Wild Chimpanzees Observed Bonding Over Alcoholic Fruit
US Federal Reserve Chair Issues Warning on Tariff Impact
UK Prison Officers Demand Electric Stun Guns Amid Safety Concerns
China, China, China!
Australian National Charged as Mercenary for Fighting in Ukraine
Israel Considers Limited Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities Amid Diplomatic Efforts
Prince Andrew Joins Royal Family Attends Easter Sunday Service at Windsor Castle
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
Trump is assembling a coalition of Western leaders aligned with the MAGA vision, strengthening a unified front for global change
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Here’s a police officer with a brilliant gift for swift education
"Some complain that we put thousands in prison. In reality, we set millions free."
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Boeing Jet Returns to US from China Amid Tariff War
Canadian Federal Election: Candidates' Positions on US-Canada Relations and Donald Trump
Resentencing Hearing for Menendez Brothers Who Killed Their Parents Delayed Amid Legal Disputes
Australian Woman Gives Birth To Stranger's Baby In IVF Mix-up
US Sets Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Brokerage
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
California Launches Legal Challenge Against Trump Administration's Tariffs
"Groundless": China Dismisses Zelensky's Claims It's Supplying Arms To Russia
UK Psytrance Festival Cancelled Amid Local Protests Over Noise Concerns
French Far-Right Writer Renaud Camus Denied Entry to UK
UK Police Force Updates Search Policy for Trans Individuals in Custody
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Meets with Donald Trump to Discuss EU-US Trade Tensions
Canada's Federal Party Leaders Engage in Final Debate Ahead of General Election
Ukraine and US Sign Outline of Minerals Deal
Fast Food Chain Refuses to Apologize for Online Comment About Katy Perry's Space Voyage
New York Attorney General Letitia James Faces Criminal Referral for Alleged Mortgage Fraud
Mark Cuban admits support for Trump executive order: ‘Gotta be honest’
US Senator Meets with Deported Immigrant in El Salvador Amid Custody Dispute
U.S. State Department Raises El Salvador’s Safety Ranking, Making It Safer Than France and Other European Nations
UK Government Assumes Control of British Steel's Scunthorpe Plant Amid Shutdown Threat
UK MP Wera Hobhouse Denied Entry to Hong Kong During Family Visit
Bangladesh Issues Arrest Warrant for UK MP Tulip Siddiq
×