Buying a holiday lodge is exciting, and it’s easy to fall for the first lodge with a lovely view. This checklist helps you slow down and ask the right questions, so you can compare parks fairly and buy with confidence. Print it out or save it to your phone and take it on every viewing. We’ve added our own answers for Epworth Fields so you can see how we compare.
1. The park
- ☐ Where is it, and how long will it take me to get there? Be honest about how often you’ll make the trip.
- ☐ Who owns and runs the park? Epworth Fields is family-run and has been here for many years.
- ☐ Is the park lodges only, or are there tourers, campers and lets too? We sell lodges only, with no camping, touring or letting.
- ☐ How does the park feel on a quiet weekday? Visit at different times if you can.
2. The season
- ☐ How many months a year is the park open? Epworth Fields is open 12 months a year.
- ☐ Can I use my lodge at Christmas and New Year? On a 12-month park, yes.
- ☐ Can the lodge be my main home? A holiday lodge can’t be your main home.
3. Letting
- ☐ Can owners let their lodges? At Epworth Fields, no. The park is owners-only.
- ☐ Does the park let any lodges itself? Not here.
- ☐ Could the letting rules change? Ask every park.
4. Site fees
- ☐ How much is the site fee this year? Ours is £3,000 plus VAT.
- ☐ How will it change in future? Ours is frozen for 5 years.
- ☐ What does it cover, and what’s extra?
Our guide to site fees explains what to look out for.
5. The price and what’s included
- ☐ What does the price include? At Epworth Fields: siting, connection, decking and furnishings.
- ☐ Are there any extras I’d have to pay before I can use the lodge?
- ☐ Can I add a hot tub? Here, yes. We can add one, or you can add your own. Hot tubs aren’t standard.
- ☐ Is there council tax? There’s no council tax on a holiday lodge.
6. Paying for it
- ☐ How will I pay? You can’t buy a holiday lodge with a mortgage.
- ☐ Does the park take part-exchange, and on what? We accept lodges, motorhomes, static caravans, touring caravans and chalets.
Our guide to the cost of buying a holiday lodge sets out the full picture.
7. The lodge itself
- ☐ Who made it, and which model is it? Our new lodges are by Love Holiday Homes. Our Victory Lakewood is built by Victory.
- ☐ Is it new or pre-owned? If pre-owned, how old is it and how has it been looked after?
- ☐ How many bedrooms and bathrooms does it have, and does the layout suit me?
- ☐ Where’s the pitch, and what’s the outlook from the deck?
- ☐ Open every door and cupboard. Picture yourself there for a week.
8. Dogs and facilities
- ☐ Are dogs welcome? At Epworth Fields, yes, with no dog rules.
- ☐ What facilities are there, and who can use them? Our fishing lake is for owners only, and there are woodland walks on the park.
9. The paperwork
- ☐ What agreement will I sign, and can I take it away to read?
- ☐ What happens if I want to sell my lodge in future? Ask any park how this works.
- ☐ Get everything important in writing.
Before you sign
Take your time. Compare at least two parks with this checklist, sleep on it, and come back for a second look at the lodge you like best. A good park will be happy to answer every question.
For the full buying process, see our guide to buying a holiday lodge.
