Man ‘leaving Beachcomber after 25 years because his caravan is too old’
OWNER ANGRY AFTER HOLIDAY HOME COMES TO END OF ITS 15-YEAR AGE LIMIT
A MAN says he is having to leave a Cleethorpes caravan park because his home there is too old.
Steven Richardson, 56, from Leeds, was told that he would have to leave Beachcomber caravan site on North Sea Lane by next April earlier this year as his caravan had come to the end of its 15-year age limit.
After 15 years from the date of construction, the caravans may be sold elsewhere or for scrap, according to Steve.
However, he claims he was not informed about this and told that yearly inspections would be carried out and, should the caravan meet certain standards, it would be allowed to stay.
Steven has decided to speak out about the issues he’s facing in the hope of preventing anyone else from falling into the same trap.
He explained: “There have been a lot of arguments about the ‘15 year rule’ since I’ve been on the park.
“I myself have been here for 25 years, owning four different caravans and spending a small fortune with the resort.
“When we bought our current caravan, we were told we could keep it on the site as long as cleanliness was maintained and it was tidy.
“However, in March, I was told that I would not have my caravan renewed and that my tenancy would run out in April next year.
“I originally bought the caravan for £18,000, but have now had to sell it to them for £2,000 - even though I know it’s worth at least eight or nine thousand - because of this rule.
“They’ve paid me absolute pittance for it and on top of that, they’re charging me a disconnection fee to have the caravan removed.
“It’s not even 50 yards from the entrance and I have to pay £400 even though it’s them who want to remove it.
“If I wanted to leave I would understand paying the fee, but they’re the ones kicking me off, it’s just wrong.”
Steven added: “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else, it’s just not worth it, especially with them raising their prices.
“I’m just so angry about it all as it’ll cost them nothing to get rid of the caravan, but they’re making me pay for it.
“It’s just plain greed in my eyes. “I also think it’s disgusting that all I’ve had is a phone call explaining that they wouldn’t be renewing my contract, no letter or email.
“It makes you feel as though you’re just a pound sign to these people.”
Away Resorts, who recently took over the Cleethorpes Beachcomber Holiday Park, said: “Mr Richardson’s license agreement tenure period expires in early 2022 and he has decided to sell his home to a trader. At the end of the tenure period caravan owners have the following options:
To part exchange the holiday home and be issued with a new 15-year licence agreement
Move the holiday home off park to another site
Sell the holiday home to a trader
“The owners are informed that there will be a disconnection fee when they sign the licence agreement at the start of the contract.
“This fee consists of disconnecting elements of the caravan such as plumbing and moving the caravan from its pitch.
They’ve paid me absolute pittance for it and on top of that, they’re charging me a disconnection fee to have the caravan removed.
Steven Richardson