Misuse of Holiday Homes

There has been an increased tendency of late, for owners to start using, or consider using their holiday home as their main place of residence, resulting in a fair amount of media attention. It is true to say that in some cases this has been due to the desire to retire and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere similar to being permanently on holiday and maybe, not have to worry about who mows the lawn etc., because the park owner does that for you. It may also be, because of the discounted rates of Council Tax. Whatever the reason, this is something that the Industry frowns upon, as it places both the homeowner and the park owner in a precarious position. Once the Local Council finds out that holiday homes are being used for residential purposes, they can prosecute the park owner for either breach of his/ her Site Licence Conditions or for breach of his/ her Planning Consent. They may also serve an Enforcement Order directly upon the resident to remove their home from the Park. We do advise you to think very carefully before placing, what is usually most people's largest asset, in such a precarious position. Please don't embarrass the Park Owner by asking if you may live on his land, when they haven't the correct permission and please understand why the Park Owner may from time to time ask for proof that you still have a permanent residence elsewhere. He or she is trying to protect both their situation and yours. The National Caravan Council and the British Holiday & Home Parks Association have jointly published a Guide for Park Owners and Managers entitled - 'Misuse of Caravan Holiday Homes' If you are a Park Owner or Manager and would like a copy of this publication, please call either the NCC on 01252 318251 or the BH+HPA on 01452 526911.   Since we originally uploaded this article, several lodge owners on around a dozen parks (that we know of) have been served with enforcement notices to remove their lodges from the holiday lodge park they have been  been residing on. In most cases the park owners have sought retrospective planning permission for residential use, which not having gained that in the first place, have been turned down.   It is true to say, that the odd park owner has been successful, but can you afford to take that risk?