How Long Can You Live in a Holiday Home UK
In 2021, the number of people visiting holiday homes totalled 3.2 million! This is a figure we are sure will rise even further this year as 56% of people plan on taking a UK staycation.
Choosing to book accommodation and travel away is exciting but the trend for purchasing holiday homes continues to be a popular choice. This type of investment offers frequent travellers a way to streamline overall spend plus feel extra relaxed when visiting a place they consider a second home.
When sharing our insights about finding the ultimate dream holiday home, we often get asked about how long it can be used for residency during the year. Understanding all of the rules is important as it allows you to choose the best holiday home for your requirements. In this article, we will share these details, plus some additional insights that will help you plan for a stress-free period of time in your holiday home.
Are You Legally Allowed To Live Full-time In A UK Holiday Home?
Often likened as the best alternative to Airbnb, UK holiday homes are a fantastic investment for people to make. Whether you buy one alone or share the cost with friends and family, having a special place in a location different from your permanent residency is fantastic.
When considering the rules around whether you can or can’t live full-time in a holiday home, it’s important to understand the correct definition of the property. For the purpose of this article, a holiday home is a static building on a holiday park site. These structures range in size and specification plus come with varying amounts of surrounding land. Due to how these sites are managed, licences don’t permit full-time residents. These licences are issued by local authorities, meaning the associated rules can be different depending on the location.
If you are looking for a holiday home that offers more flexibility in terms of being able to stay for as long as you wish, you are best looking for a second home. These properties can still be chalet-style holiday homes but are located in different areas that are not covered by a business licence. This means the costs can be higher as you are also having to pay for the associated land, but there is enhanced flexibility.
What Restrictions Are In Place For Choosing When To Visit A Holiday Home?
Most companies require proof of usual residence to prove that a holiday park home will not be a permanent place of residency.
When choosing a holiday home, there are a few considerations you should make. The first is that some sites will close for seasons such as the Winter. This means that although you own the property, you must comply with the opening times when selecting your trips for the year. Of course, this is also in addition to the total amount of time that your holiday park is licensed to host you for. The type of licence that the resort holds will determine the total number of days that owners are permitted to visit. The holiday park licence determines this timeframe, as holders must choose the best option to apply for to gain approval.
The timeframe will differ but this usually comes in the form of a period restriction and the total number of days. Some, for example, will confirm you can stay for no longer than 28 days at a time and visit on a set amount of occasions. However, as long as you can prove the purpose of your visit and proof of home address should you be requested for more information, many sites do also offer longer stays.
If you are looking for a holiday home that can be used all year round and at a time of your choosing, you should seek to find a site with a residential licence.
Can I Stay Full-Time in a Holiday Home If It Has a 12-Month Holiday Occupancy?
The simple answer to this is no. A 12-month occupancy means it can be used at any time of the year unlike some properties which are unavailable when a holiday park shuts. Just like properties with restricted access, these homes must still comply with local authorities which means they can only be occupied for a certain number of days per year.
In these instances, proper planning is even more important to ensure you are never left without a place to go if you fancy an impromptu night away.
What Are The Benefits Of Only Using A Holiday Home For A Portion Of The Year?
If you are reading this article wondering what the point is in buying a holiday park home if you can only visit at certain times, we can assure you there are plenty of benefits. Below are just a few:
Flexibility In Being Able To Take Breaks At Anytime
Even though your total time away is limited, you are still able to enjoy holiday homes for lots of the year. This means you can either use them yourself, give access to friends and family or sublet them to earn some extra revenue.
Get To Enjoy The Area During Different Seasons
By visiting for shorter periods, you are also more likely to get to appreciate the beauty that each season brings. Your holiday home will seem different in each season making it exciting to plan regular trips.
Keep The Novel Excitement Of Owning A Holiday Home
The last thing you want is to become bored of a holiday home. By having an option on a park, you are encouraged to not just stay in but instead return when you have time. This not only keeps that holiday buzz going, but also means you get to enjoy the various other amenities that the area has to offer.
Maintain The Overall Condition
Finally, not being occupied for 365 days of the year means that holiday homes are more likely to remain in better condition. This means a quicker ROI can be achieved and that less money needs to be budgeted for upkeep.
What Holiday Homes Are Available From Northam Farm Caravan Sales?
At Northam Farm Caravan Sales, we don’t just offer holiday homes to purchase on our core Northam Farm site (Somerset), but also many others. We also sell properties available at Little Haven (Wales), The Paddocks (Brean), Three Acres (Brean) and Mendip Park (Northam). Each offers different residency periods so you should always ensure this is a key enquiry when searching for a new investment.
Some other considerations we recommend you make are:
- Understanding what access to other amenities may be included and the periods in which they operate.
- What annual fees are required, such as covering bills, paying site fees, and, in certain cases, paying land costs?
- What is the balance of full-time holidaymakers and longer term homes? This will change the ambience of the site plus affect the amenities available.
Something that our team pride themselves on is being able to answer all of these questions so that customers are only matched with the best homes for their needs. From choosing between a luxury or budget holiday home to sourcing a property with the right type of licence for your travel preferences, we cover it all.
In summary, holiday home owners can stay at their property on various occasions within the terms of their pitch agreement. This is normally around 8-10 months of the year but is different in all cases so be sure to know the details before you show up for a break. If you are instead looking for somewhere which allows full-time stays, you should look for a second home with a residency licence. Click the link to view our current available holiday homes. Alternatively, should you still have a burning question which remains unanswered in this blog, contact us now.