4. running costs explained

With Own a Holiday Home, the price of having your own place in France or Spain needn’t be excessive. For homes manufactured outside the UK your purchase price includes delivery to the site, installation on the pitch and connection to the water, electricity and sewage services, together with a gas testing certificate. For homes manufactured in the UK delivery and installation are not included in the purchase price but Own a Holiday Home will assist you in arranging these services.

Don’t forget that your mobile home comes fully furnished – so you’ll only need to shop for kitchen accessories and bedding! However, there are some ongoing costs that it’s important to consider and budget for accordingly.

To ensure you approach mobile home ownership fully informed, we’ve listed below annual running costs that you can expect to incur:

Annual Pitch Fee

All campsites charge an annual pitch fee to cover the site's maintenance costs and ensure it remains clean, attractive and safe. Prices are generally between £2,000 and £4,500, and will be clearly stated in your contract with the campsite. Exactly what your pitch fee includes varies from campsite to campsite, but you should expect it to include sewage, rubbish collection, upkeep of public spaces, security measures and the site’s local taxes too. It also gives you free access to use most of the campsite ’s facilities, such as the swimming pool complex, play areas or tennis courts.

mobile home insurance

You will be required to have insurance for your mobile home, which you will find typically costs around £230 per annum for comprehensive cover. For more details click here.

Water & Electricity

Water and Electricity may or may not be included as part of your annual pitch fee.

If they are not included, usage will be metered on your pitch, so you are only charged for what you use.

Gas

You will need an annual gas certificate provided by a registered engineer. This is included as part of Own a Holiday Homes annual maintenance contract should you choose to take this with us. You will also need to pay for your own gas bottle supplies, purchased on site. Prices vary according to your location

Local Tourist Taxes

Currently there are no property or council tax charges on a mobile home or lodge in France or Spain, however, in France, there are local tourist taxes. This varies according to the region but averages 50 pence per day for each person resident in the home over the age of 12. This includes any guests or tenants which you may have. Some sites charge this as an annual forfeit.

earn rental income from your mobile home

If you use your mobile home to earn rental income and you’ll find this helps reduce your annual running costs, so in some cases you’ll find it you’re effectively staying 'for free' whenever you chose.

On some campsites the owners often offer their own rental services, in return for an arrangement fee. On the other hand, you may wish to rent your mobile home out independently, at whatever price you decide. We can tell you what the possibilities are on the campsite of your choice.