Static Caravan Site Fees & Running Costs Explained (2026)
Static caravan site fees are the biggest yearly cost of owning a holiday home. This guide explains how much caravan site fees cost in the UK, what they include, the average park rent on our parks and the other running costs to budget for.
Static caravan site fees are the biggest yearly cost of owning a holiday home. This guide explains how much caravan site fees cost in the UK, what they include, the average park rent on our parks and the other running costs to budget for.
What Are Static Caravan Site Fees?
When you buy a static caravan on a holiday park, you own the caravan but not the land it stands on. Site fees are the annual charge you pay the park for your pitch and for the use of the park and its services.
You’ll see them called different names: site fees, pitch fees, ground rent or park rent. They all mean the same thing. At Laver Leisure, we call it park rent.
Site fees are separate from the price of the caravan. You pay them every year for as long as your caravan stays on the park, whether you bought it outright or on finance.
Knowing what you’ll pay each year makes it much easier to compare our static caravans for sale in Lincolnshire with confidence. If you’re at the very start of your search, our guide on how to buy a static caravan walks you through the whole process.
How Much Are Static Caravan Site Fees?
Caravan site fees in the UK usually range from around £2,000 to more than £10,000 a year. Where your fee falls depends on the park, its location and facilities, and the pitch you choose.
What are the average site fees for a static caravan?
As a rough guide, typical annual site fees by type of park look like this:
| Type of park | Typical annual site fees |
| Smaller, quieter parks with few facilities | £2,000 to £3,500 |
| Mid-range holiday parks | £3,500 to £6,000 |
| Large resort-style parks in coastal hotspots | £6,000 to £10,000+ |
These figures are a guide only. Always ask each park for its current fees and a written breakdown of what’s included.
How much is park rent on Laver Leisure parks?
Our annual park rent depends on which of our holiday parks your caravan is on. In 2025, the average park rent was £3,800 for a 12ft-wide home and £3,600 for a 10ft-wide home.
Importantly, our park rent includes your rates, the water you use and VAT. Many parks charge these separately, so check what’s included when you compare fees. You’ll find more detail in our FAQs, or call our sales team on 01754 872 256 for the fees on a specific park.
What Do Site Fees Include?
What’s included varies from park to park, but site fees usually cover:
- Your pitch for the season and its connections to water, drainage and electricity
- Park roads, lighting, landscaping and communal areas
- Grass cutting and general park upkeep
- Rubbish collection
- Park security
- The park management team and owner support
- Use of on-site facilities, where offered
On Laver Leisure parks, your park rent also includes business rates, the water you use and VAT.
What Isn’t Included in Site Fees?
Even on parks with all-inclusive fees, some costs are always yours to pay. These usually include:
- Gas and electricity
- Holiday home insurance
- Annual servicing, gas safety checks and winter drain-down
- Repairs to your caravan, decking or skirting
- TV licence and Wi-Fi, if you use them
Some parks also charge water, business rates and VAT on top of the site fee. Always check, so you’re comparing like with like.
Static Caravan Running Costs: What Else to Budget For
To work out the real cost of owning a static caravan, add your site fees to the running costs below.
| Cost | What it covers | Typical yearly cost |
| Site fees (park rent) | Your pitch and park services | £3,600 to £3,800 on Laver parks (2025 average, includes rates, water and VAT) |
| Electricity | Metered for each home and invoiced after the season ends | Depends on use |
| Gas | Heating, hot water and cooking | Depends on use |
| Insurance | Fully comprehensive holiday home cover | Around £200 to £500 |
| Servicing and safety checks | Annual service, gas safety check and winter drain-down | Around £150 to £300 |
| Optional extras | TV licence, Wi-Fi, decking, furnishings | Varies |
Every home on our parks must have a fully comprehensive insurance policy. Our guide to static caravan insurance compares the main providers and what a good policy covers.
Regular servicing protects your holiday home and its resale value. Our guide on how to service and winterise a static caravan explains the yearly checks and how to drain down for winter.
How much does it cost to own a static caravan each year?
For a typical holiday home on one of our parks, a realistic yearly budget is around £4,500 to £5,500 once park rent, energy, insurance and servicing are added together. Bigger caravans, heavy use and premium pitches will cost more.
Why Do Site Fees Vary Between Parks?
Site fees can differ by thousands of pounds between parks. The main reasons are:
- Location: coastal parks in popular resorts usually charge more than inland parks.
- Facilities: pools, entertainment venues and restaurants add to the cost of running a park.
- Pitch position: sea views, corner plots and larger pitches cost more.
- Caravan size: many parks, including ours, charge more for wider homes.
- Season length: a longer open season usually means a higher fee.
- What’s included: fees that include rates, water and VAT look higher at first but can work out cheaper overall.
How to Find Cheaper Static Caravan Pitch Fees
If you’re looking for the cheapest static caravan pitch fees, these tips can help:
- Look beyond the big resort parks. Family-run and independent parks often have lower fees.
- Choose a standard pitch. A pitch without a sea view or premium position can save you money every year.
- Consider a smaller caravan. A 10ft-wide home usually has lower site fees than a 12ft home.
- Compare the total cost, not the headline fee. Check whether rates, water and VAT are included.
- Think about the region. The Lincolnshire coast typically offers better value than many coastal areas further south.
How Are Site Fees Paid?
Most parks invoice site fees once a year, before the new season begins. Some parks let you spread the cost in instalments. A standard deposit is required on all of our parks.
If you’re buying on finance, remember that site fees are paid on top of your monthly repayments. Our guide on how to finance a static caravan explains how to plan for both. For more on life as a Laver owner, see our owners’ information page.
Can Letting Your Caravan Help Cover Site Fees?
On some parks, you can let your static caravan to holidaymakers to help cover your running costs. Several of our parks allow owners to rent out their homes, but not all of them do.
All homes on our parks are privately owned, and we don’t run a rental service. Where letting is allowed, you make the arrangements directly with your guests. Ask our team which parks allow letting before you buy, if this matters to you.
Summary
Site fees are the main yearly cost of owning a static caravan. They typically range from £2,000 to more than £10,000 a year in the UK, depending on the park, pitch and caravan size. Add gas, electricity, insurance and servicing to find your true yearly cost, and always check whether rates, water and VAT are included.
On our parks, park rent averaged £3,600 to £3,800 in 2025, with rates, water and VAT included. Browse our static caravans for sale in Lincolnshire, explore our holiday parks in Ingoldmells and holiday parks in Chapel St Leonards, or get in touch for the park rent on a specific park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you pay council tax on a static caravan?
No, not if it’s a holiday home and you have a main home elsewhere. Council tax only applies to your sole or main residence. Our guide do you pay council tax on a static caravan explains the rules in full.
Do site fees go up every year?
Usually, yes. Most parks review site fees each year to reflect inflation and the cost of running the park. Your licence agreement should explain how and when fees are reviewed, so read it carefully before you buy.
Do you pay VAT on caravan site fees?
Yes. Site fees usually carry VAT at the standard rate of 20%. Some parks quote fees without VAT, so check. On our parks, VAT is already included in the park rent.
Do I still pay site fees if I don’t use my caravan?
Yes. Site fees are paid for your pitch, not for the nights you stay. You pay the full annual fee whether you visit every weekend or only a few times a year.
What is the 15-year rule for caravans?
Many parks set an age limit on the caravans they allow on site. This is often called the 10- or 15-year rule, though limits vary. On our parks, homes can stay until they are 30 years old, or 25 years on Beechways, The Bay on Golden Sands, Majestic, Haven and The Wolds. Find out more in our guide to the best time to sell a static caravan.
How much does it cost to live on a caravan site in the UK?
You can’t live permanently on a holiday park, as holiday parks are licensed for holiday use only. Our parks are open from March to the end of October, and some stay open until the end of November. To live in a caravan full time, you’d need a residential park home site.