Caravan owners’ fury over flooding
Ian McKenzie is crossing his fingers the dream caravan he bought for his retirement will stay watertight over winter.
In July 2018, the former railway worker from Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, paid £54,000 for a new Atlas model.
He spent a further £10,500 for decking at the swish Stanwix Park site on Cumbria’s Solway coast.
“My wife Berni and I visited over the summer months and were delighted,” he said.
However, it was a different story when Ian, 62, returned to the site in March this year.
“We found extensive flooding in several areas,” he said. “The kitchen floor was flooded, the master bedroom carpet was soaked through and the window had heavy condensation on it.
“Water was also running through an electrical socket.
“The site salesman was of the impression the water was coming in around the windows and exterior door.”
Repairs were carried out by removing and resealing around a window and a door.
“But a lingering damp smell persisted,” Ian said.
Ian wrote to Raw Deal and we contacted manufacturers Atlas Leisure Homes and asked the Hull-based company to investigate.
An engineer inspected the caravan and interior panels were removed. But it was difficult to locate the source of the previous leaks as the weather had been dry, Ian said. “It was suggested I wait until winter when the heavy rains and winds arrived.
“I told the engineer and the site salesman I wanted a new caravan as I had paid £54,000 for something I felt wasn’t fit for purpose.”
However, an Atlas spokeswoman insisted they had “corrected the issues”.
She added: “Atlas is a long-established company of 30-plus years that supplies in excess of 1,600 units to customers every year and we want our customers to re-purchase in the future.
“Our customer service treats all our customers with respect and integrity and will go the extra mile to ensure they are happy with their purchase.”
Ian, however, feels he should get a replacement caravan or his money back and intends to take his complaint to the Motor Ombudsman and the National Caravan Council.