If you own a static caravan or holiday lodge and you’re thinking about selling, you may have heard from the park that they’ll handle the sale for you. It sounds convenient — but before you agree, it’s worth understanding exactly what that arrangement will cost you.
The truth is, park commission on caravan sales can amount to thousands of pounds. And there’s a perfectly legal, straightforward way to avoid it entirely.
What Is Park Commission on a Caravan Sale?
When a holiday park sells your caravan on your behalf, they typically charge a commission fee — often anywhere between 10% and 30% of the sale price. On a caravan valued at £15,000, that could mean paying the park between £1,500 and £4,500 in fees.
Some parks are transparent about this charge. Others are not. Either way, it’s money that comes straight out of what you receive for your holiday home.
There may also be additional fees for advertising, park “processing,” or buyer referrals — all of which reduce your final payout.
The Alternative: Selling Off the Park
Here’s the key fact that many caravan owners don’t realise: if your static caravan is sold and physically removed from the park, no commission is owed to the park.
This is one of the most important things to understand when selling your holiday home. A buyer who intends to site the caravan at a different location, or a caravan dealer who purchases the unit for resale, typically takes the caravan off-site. And when that happens, the park has no legal entitlement to a commission payment.
The result? You keep more of the money from your sale.
How Does Selling Off the Park Work?
The process is simpler than it sounds:
1. Get a free valuation
The first step is understanding what your caravan is worth on the open market. A specialist buyer will assess the make, model, age, size, condition, and any features like double glazing or central heating, and give you a fair, honest figure.
2. Agree a price
If you’re happy with the offer, you agree to proceed. There’s no obligation to accept any valuation.
3. Arrange removal
The buyer organises the physical removal of the caravan from the park. This is handled professionally and in line with the park’s own removal policies.
4. Receive payment
Once the caravan leaves the park, you receive your agreed payment. No commission is paid to the park, because the sale did not take place on-site through the park’s own sales process.
What Does the Park Need to Know?
You do need to inform the park that you intend to sell your caravan privately and have it removed. Most parks have processes for this — including notice periods and requirements for removal contractors to be approved. As long as you follow the correct notice procedure, you are entirely within your rights to sell this way.
The Caravan Sites Act and most standard pitch licence agreements allow owners to sell their holiday home and have it removed at any time, subject to giving appropriate notice. If you’re unsure about the terms of your specific agreement, it’s worth reviewing your pitch licence before proceeding.
How Much Could You Save?
Let’s put some numbers on it. Say your static caravan has a market value of £20,000:
| Sale Method | Sale Price | Park Commission (15%) | Your Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the park | £20,000 | £3,000 | £17,000 |
| Off the park (private sale) | £20,000 | £0 | £20,000 |
That’s a potential saving of £3,000 — or more, depending on your park’s commission rate. On higher-value lodges, the saving can be significantly greater.
Common Questions
Will the park try to stop me?
Parks cannot prevent you from selling your holiday home privately or having it removed, as long as you follow the terms of your pitch licence and give proper notice. They may prefer to handle the sale themselves (so they can earn commission), but they cannot legally prevent an off-park sale.
Does it matter how old my caravan is?
Specialist caravan buyers consider all ages, makes, and models. Whether your holiday home is 5 years old or 20 years old, there is a market for it. The older the unit, the more important it is to get an independent valuation rather than relying on the park’s assessment.
How quickly can I complete a sale?
With a specialist buyer, the process can move very quickly — often within days rather than the weeks or months a park sale might take. There’s no waiting for the right retail buyer to come along.
Ready to Find Out What Your Caravan Is Worth?
At The Caravan Swap Shop, we buy static caravans and lodges of all ages, makes, and conditions across the UK. Our team has over 45 years of combined experience in the holiday park industry, and we offer a completely free, no-obligation valuation — with no hidden fees and no park commission involved.
If you’d like to know what your caravan is worth, simply fill in our free no-obligation valuation form and we’ll be in touch with a fair, honest figure.
We also have caravans available for sale if you’re looking to purchase rather than sell.
The Caravan Swap Shop is a BH&HPA Associate Member. We operate across the UK, buying static caravans and lodges from holiday park owners, private sellers, and park operators.