Hi,
We have viewed a Pemberton Verona in our opinion in good condition that has been cared for. We really like the style and layout but wonder if a 2008 model is too old and being new to all this would like an idea about lifespan. I have read about the pitfalls of sites wanting newer vans and terminating agreements.
Thanks
The lifespan of a static on a leisure park is whatever the park operators decides it will be.
If the agreement says that the static has to be removed at - for example - 15 years of age, this age starts from the original manufacture/siting of the van. So a van that was manufactured in 2008 would have to be removed next year (2023).
It is rare for an agreement to give a time limit based on purchase date.
The actual life of the static itself - well, bear in mind that there are park homes of 40plus years still changing hands, and when they were manufactured there was no real difference between them, so I see no reason why a properly maintained static could not remain safe and useable for 40 or more years.
Having somewhere to put it is the problem.
So if you like the van, you need to try and get some form of commitment from the Park operator about how long it will be allowed to remain on site - and get it in writing.
Thank you, I understand that in some ways a van is worth what you're willing to pay but layout and site are important too and have an influence on price.
If you are buying it through the park and not privately then you can ask for an agreement stating how long the van can stay on site, but make sure you have this in writing. Other thing to remember is, once your site licence has ended it becomes your job to get the van removed from the site. The van then becomes almost worthless. We did it last year once our licence was expired and by the time I had paid to have decking removed, van disconnected and transported off and sold to a dealer we ended up with about £800 for a good condition caravan which we had enjoyed for years. Some sites will let you keep it on site longer than your licence agreement but it will be done on a yearly basis. We knew all this before we bought ours so not a big shock for us. Just think of it like buying a car it wont go up in price but will surely go down in this country anyway. France is a different matter from what I have read on here.
Post last edited on 30/04/2022 11:41:43
Just to give an idea of our costs for having a van for 5yrs on site.
Cheap caravan...£7500
site fees for 5yrs £15000 aprox
insurance...£150 a yr appprox
Gas & Elec ...depends on how often you are there
maintain it
Drain down every winter about £60 a time.
etc etc.
So we spent about £25,000 for 5yrs and got back £800. Did we enjoy it? yes
We got as much use as we could out of it spending about 4 nights every week there so for us we dont regret buying it.
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. It certainly makes you think and we do try to think things through. I still like the caravan we looked at but feel uneasy because although I asked for more information to be emailed they haven't sent anything so probably will leave this.We are considering nearly new at a different site but means we have to change our budget so lots to consider. There must be some happy owners because there are lots of privately owned caravans.
Hi Kay, sorry if my post seem to put a downer on it as that wasnt my intention. We have had 4 statics on different sites and loved having them. Ive had a new one down to the last one we had which was a cheap one we knew we were only going to keep for 5 yrs, knowing we would have to remove it,although the park did all that for us we just had to pay for it all. Its a great life and you make many friends. Just check all the paperwork is all I will say and your best option is to buy one which wont run out of time before you want to change site or upgrade, it just makes selling it a whole lot easier. We could have left our last one on site on a rolling one year contract, but not allowed to sell it on. We had no pressure to get rid of it from the site owners its just we could not sell it to someone new. After 5yrs we wanted a change anyway. There were some vans at least 25yrs old on there that were well looked after so were allowed to stay. It just depends on the site. When you find a site have a look round and see if there are plenty of empty plots for the owners to site new vans on. If there are none or very few that normally tells you they will want you off when your licence expires. Ive been on 3 different sites and never seen anyone forced off if there van was well looked after. Perhaps we were just lucky. Good luck with it all and have fun we certainly did its just not cheap and provided you know that then its a great life just getting away from it all whenever you want.
PS Pemberton are arguably the best caravans and can understand you liking that one so much.
geoffprinter has given you a very good detailed answer - and yes, there are lots of very happy static owners out there.
There are also lots of static parks, at the minute they are all very busy because of the staycation boom, but this is no excuse for failing to answer your questions.
All parks are a business, out to make a profit, but the best site operators will be willing to answer questions, put verbal promises in writing, and make their terms and conditions clear.
This applies to both large and small, and you would be right to be wary of a business that is either unable or unwilling to answer your questions, in writing.
You will be entering into a contract with the park, so you need to know what the terms of the contract will be in order to make a decision - and the responsible, reputable operators know this and are just as keen to spell out their terms to you.
There is a right park and a right van out there for you - just keep going and you will find it.
One thing to also be aware of, especially when buying an older static, is that should the park change hands the new owners can quite legally tear up any agreements you may have had with the previous owners. So you can have an agreement saying that you can keep your 12 year old static on the site indefinitely, then the park changes hands and the new owner decides he is going to have a 10 year limit. He can quite legally then give notice to all owners with vans 10 years or older, and there is little that you can do about it.
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 30/4/2022
One thing to also be aware of, especially when buying an older static, is that should the park change hands the new owners can quite legally tear up any agreements you may have had with the previous owners. So you can have an agreement saying that you can keep your 12 year old static on the site indefinitely, then the park changes hands and the new owner decides he is going to have a 10 year limit. He can quite legally then give notice to all owners with vans 10 years or older, and there is little that you can do about it.
Most parks that have no age limit issue annual contracts, which means the contract has to be renewed each year - a park does not have to be sold for the park to decide the van is too old so off you go.
As far as a new owner tearing up contracts - not sure that this is the case, if the park is sold as a going concern (i.e, not gone bust) - the new owner buys the whole business, including obligations, licence terms, and existing contracts.
They will most certainly try and change contracts, or not renew them, but I think that legally the new owner cannot simply tear up an existing legal contract just because they have purchased the park.
NACO, Trading Standards or the local Citizens Advice may all be able to clarify the facts on this.
Interesting link attached - not specific to static sites, but just in general terms of existing contracts with third parties, which is what the individual van owners are. https://www.netlawman.co.uk/ia/how-to-buy-business
Quote: Originally posted by 22seaside on 01/5/2022
As far as a new owner tearing up contracts - not sure that this is the case, if the park is sold as a going concern (i.e, not gone bust) - the new owner buys the whole business, including obligations, licence terms, and existing contracts.
They will most certainly try and change contracts, or not renew them, but I think that legally the new owner cannot simply tear up an existing legal contract just because they have purchased the park.
NACO, Trading Standards or the local Citizens Advice may all be able to clarify the facts on this.
Interesting link attached - not specific to static sites, but just in general terms of existing contracts with third parties, which is what the individual van owners are. https://www.netlawman.co.uk/ia/how-to-buy-business
To be honest, I'm not sure whether tearing up previous contracts is legal either, but I have heard many times that it has happened. I do think that going though a lengthy and probably very expensive legal fight with the site owner is not something I would wish to take on and possibly lose. Far too big a risk for me.
I like staying in statics, but I would rent rather than buy. Much less risky and gives me the choice of going to different areas.
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Topic: Pemberton Verona too old?
via mobile 23/4/2022 at 1:41pm
