The only fees payable are the standard charge for connection of the caravan to services (£400) and the annual pitch rental (about £2,100). The caravan is then the new owner’s to enjoy whenever they wish or to rent out if they want a second income.
Each will retain all of its original furnishings, including beds, furniture, carpets and major kitchen appliances. The parks on which the free caravans are available will vary throughout the year.
Park Holidays UK said the ‘unprecedented giveaway’ was in response to the high number of existing owners trading up to new caravan holiday homes and lodges this year.
While the caravans being offered are smaller, older models – some approaching their fifteenth birthday – company director Tony Clish claimed they still had plenty of life left and would have a rigorous safety check before they were handed over.
‘In recent weeks, sales of new holiday homes have been running at about 10% above last year's levels,’ Clish said.
‘At the same time, we are also increasing the number of pitches available at our parks - which means we can find space for the units that are being traded in.
‘We're quite happy to offer some units for free as they become available, especially if it gives some people just the encouragement they need to get their foot on the second-property ladder.
‘Our research shows that the vast majority of holiday home owners never leave Park Holidays UK to go elsewhere - so in some respects, we are investing in the likelihood of people trading up their free units in the future, even though there is no obligation for them to do so.
‘In fact, they could just walk away any time - and take their home with them, if they wished.’
In such cases, a disconnection fee of £350 would be payable.
See also:
Campsites see surge in Easter bookings (14/04/2009)
Parks group reports strong demand (23/03/2009)
Caravanning demand may create 1,000 jobs (06/02/2009)
Brits hunt bargain breaks as crunch bites (21/11/2008)