For hundreds of thousands of people across the United Kingdom, the dream of owning a holiday lodge or static caravan has soured into a significant source of financial strain and anxiety. Groundbreaking research published on 13th January 2026 lays bare a systemic pattern of escalating expenses, a lack of transparency, and deeply unfair resale practices that are leaving owners feeling trapped.
The Broken Dream: Rising Costs and Shrinking Confidence
The study, conducted among 1,000 UK lodge and caravan owners, reveals that the idyllic lifestyle sold in brochures often masks a harsh financial reality. A staggering 86% of owners report being hit with unexpected costs after their purchase, with nearly 29% stating these surprise bills caused them direct financial strain. These include sudden hikes in annual site fees, unanticipated maintenance charges, and pressure to upgrade units to comply with park rules.
The situation is compounded by a critical lack of clarity at the point of sale. Around a third of owners (33%) admit the most financially important details were not clearly explained before they signed their contracts. Key factors like resale commission were only clearly set out for 61% of buyers, while just 60% fully understood age limits or end-of-life rules that dictate a unit's lifespan and value.
A System Stacked Against Owners
The financial pressure is relentless. The research shows that site fees are rising sharply, with nearly 74% of owners experiencing increases of 10% or more over the past five years. A shocking 19% have seen their fees soar by 50% or more in that same period. For retirees on fixed incomes, these hikes are pushing the dream purchase towards unaffordability.
This has created a profound sense of entrapment. An overwhelming 88% of owners believe they would lose money if they sold today, typically estimating a loss between £5,000 and £20,000. Consequently, 84% say fee increases have made them consider selling, but they feel unable to leave without absorbing a heavy financial blow.
The emotional toll is severe and widespread:
- 63% say caravan-related costs have affected their sleep.
- 60% report an impact on their mental health.
- 66% say their enjoyment of ownership has declined.
- 62% feel their overall quality of life has suffered.
A New Independent Platform Launches in Response
Published alongside this damning research is the launch of lodgesandcaravans.forsale, a new consumer-first resale platform built from the ground up to address these systemic failures. The platform is privately owned and operated to ensure full independence from traditional park-led models, which its founders argue are riddled with conflicts of interest.
The venture has attracted significant backing from property expert and television personality Phil Spencer, who has both invested in the business and joined its board as a Director. Spencer states the move was driven by the "scale and consistency of consumer harm" in the sector and the absence of a genuinely independent route to market for sellers.
The platform operates on a fixed, subscription-based listing model instead of taking a percentage commission on sales. This structure is designed to remove the incentive to undervalue units and aligns the platform's success with the owner's goal of achieving a fair price. It also incorporates safeguards for vulnerable sellers, including human review processes and the ability to advise against a sale if it is not in the owner's best interest.
Robert Kingsley, founder of the platform, explained: "We repeatedly saw people trying to sell because of illness, bereavement, or financial pressure, only to discover the odds were stacked against them. Success for us is not volume. It is owners feeling informed, protected and treated with dignity."
Demand for Change and a Fading Dream
The research indicates a clear appetite for reform, with 89% of owners stating they would likely use a trusted, independent platform for selling. This crisis raises serious questions about consumer protection in a sector that contributes £12.2 billion to the UK visitor economy and supports over 226,000 jobs.
With an estimated 6,169 holiday parks and nearly 440,000 pitches across the UK, the issue affects a vast number of households. For many, the dream of a peaceful escape has already faded, replaced by worry over an asset they can no longer afford, enjoy, or easily sell. The launch of this new platform presents a potential turning point, challenging a system that owners no longer trust.
