Costs of Holiday Home Ownership
As a family-run group of Holiday Parks, we believe in transparency when purchasing a holiday home and this page sets out the costs of ownership with West Dorset Leisure Holidays, so there are no hidden fees or surprises further down the line.
Achieving the dream lifestyle of holiday home ownership should be an enjoyable and stress-free experience and we have over 600 happy holiday home owners across 6 parks. Check out our holiday home ownership video with testimonials to find out more.
With any big purchase, careful planning and consideration is required and all the details you need are set out below. If you have any further questions, please contact our team on sales@wdlh.co.uk.
Pitch Fee
The annual Pitch Fee for 2025 varies from ÂŁ5,022 to ÂŁ7,110 and is dependent upon a number of factors including the holiday park and the area of the holiday park the holiday home is located within.
The Pitch Fee includes the following:
- Water
- Sewerage
- Rates
- VAT
- Ongoing support
- Ramtech alarm and annual service charge
- Winter “drain down” and Spring “drain up”
- Maintenance and upkeep of the park
- Allowing you to site your caravan and lodge on its pitch within the holiday park
The Pitch Fee is payable in December (25% of balance) for the following year and in February (remaining 75% balance), or by a standing order spread over 7 months – this must be set up in December for the following year.
The Pitch Fee annual review takes place on 1st June and any price increases are based on a number of factors including inflation, charges outside of our control, changes in law or rate of taxation, capital expenditure and changes in operating costs.
Running Costs
Insurance
Insurance (new-for-old) for your holiday home is required and varies from ÂŁ275.00 to upwards of ÂŁ350.00 per year. Our preferred insurers for the holiday home are Compass Insurance Services but alternative insurers are acceptable with proof of policy.
Electricity
Electricity is invoiced at the end of the season from your meter reading. Prices vary depending upon the contract the park has with utility companies and your level of usage. In 2024, electric bills across our 600 owners, averaged ÂŁ150.00 per holiday home, for the season.
Gas
Gas is invoiced at the end of the season from your meter reading. Prices vary depending upon your level of usage, weather and other factors. In 2024, electric bills across our 600 owners, averaged ÂŁ100 per holiday home, for the season.
Annual Gas Safety Check
An Annual Gas Safety Check is recommended and in 2024, the cost for this ranged from ÂŁ85.00 to ÂŁ130.00.
Finance
If you are unsure about the significant upfront investment, we have partnered with a local broker to offer finance on the purchase of a holiday home.
You could secure your holiday home with just a 20% deposit and pay back the rest over a period of 3 to 7 years. This means you could borrow up to 80% of the cost.
As a general rule, all new holiday homes can be financed, as well as pre-owned caravans up to 3 years old and pre-owned lodges up to 10 years old, however there are some cases where exceptions may apply.
Visit our Finance page to find out more, read FAQs and try out our monthly repayment calculator.
Maintaining your Holiday Home
As a holiday home owner, you are responsible for the maintenance of your holiday home and decking. It is recommended you clean the exterior at least once a year.
You are also responsible for the cleanliness of your storage box and cutting the grass immediately around your holiday home, where our ride-on lawnmower cannot reach. Our maintenance team are able to cut the grass for an additional charge.
Storage boxes, should you wish to purchase one, start from ÂŁ577 including VAT. Wifi is currently chargeable at ÂŁ90.00 including VAT for the season, but is included as part of the Pitch Fee at Larkfield Holiday Park.
We supply a list of costs for our park maintenance team to complete various maintenance jobs on your behalf, as well as a list of local contractors we recommend for gas, cleaning, electric, plumbing, carpentry, ground works, decorating, repairs and TV aerials.
Pre-Owned Sales Support
If you decide to sell your holiday home, we will arrange for it to be inspected and provide you with recommendations. The Transfer Fee is 15% of the purchase price plus VAT on all caravan holiday homes sold and 7.5% of the purchase price plus VAT on all lodge holiday homes sold.
A separate client sale charge of ÂŁ850 includes the following:
- Gas safety check
- Boiler service
- Internal clean
- External clean including decking
- Administration – Purchase & Licence Agreement transfer, invoicing and servicing
- Marketing – website listing and external photographs
- Viewings – up to 5
Additional paid options are available for professional internal photographs and online listings on Right Move and On The Market.
If you allow your Licence to expire, there is a disconnection charge (currently ÂŁ1,400 including VAT), which includes the disposal of the decking and storage box.
Additional Benefits
On the purchase of a holiday home, owners at all WDLH parks receive a complimentary full access membership for the swimming pool, sauna and steam room at Highlands End Holiday Park.
Following your first season of ownership, your complimentary membership changes to a pay-as-you-go membership, which allows use of the facility for a small, discounted entry fee or a heavily discounted annual charge for unlimited use.
A calendar of events runs throughout the year for holiday home owners, with events such as garden parties, live music, bingo, BBQs and an end-of-season party.
By downloading the WDLH app, holiday home owners can access exclusive discounts at local businesses, such as 30% off green fees at Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club, 10% off Palmer’s Brewery Tours and 10% off boat trips with Lyme Bay RIB Charter (subject to change).
Holiday Use and Subletting
Please note that holiday homes are designed for occasional holiday occupation and not for use as permanent residences. Both our Local Authority Site Licence and the Holiday Home Pitch Licence Agreements clearly state that holiday homes cannot be used as permanent residences.
Subletting your holiday home is not permitted. Your holiday home may only be used for holiday by you, your family and friends. The Purchase Agreement and Licence Agreement record that the hiring out of your holiday home is not permitted.
Holiday Homes for Sale
Now you’ve discovered all about the costs of owning a Holiday Home, take a look at what we currently have available.
Holiday Home Ownership Open Day – Surf Bay Leisure
A chance to look around holiday homes from leading manufacturers
Saturday 4th October, 2025 - All day and 4 future dates
Holiday Home Ownership Open Day – Larkfield
Explore new and pre-owned holiday homes for sale
Saturday 7th June, 2025
at 10:00am
Holiday Home Ownership Open Day – Sandyholme
Explore new and pre-owned holiday homes for sale
Saturday 29th March, 2025
at 10:00am
Holiday Home Ownership Open Day – Graston Copse
Explore new and pre-owned holiday homes for sale
Saturday 10th May, 2025
at 10:00am
Holiday Home Ownership Open Weekend – Golden Cap
Explore our brand new development and see what pitches are available
Sunday 21st September, 2025
at 10:00am and 5 future dates
Make an Enquiry
"*" indicates required fields