Renting a cottage

[Buckman]

There are lots of variables though. Not everyone pays £30,000 for their caravan. I've met people who picked one up for a little over £1,000 then 'did it up' themselves. They take their kids away for a week for a couple of hundred quid, and most likely will get most of their £1,000 back when and if they decide to sell.

My question did not relate to the cost of a caravan, but rather the difference between using a caravan and renting a cottage.

 

[JTQ]

My question did not relate to the cost of a caravan, but rather the difference between using a caravan and renting a cottage.

Of which, as the example given, the cost could be a major "difference", which in turn is and well may have to be relevant to some of us.

 

[Beachball]

All this talk about renting has got us thinking about next year. So we have booked a nice static three bed for mid June 2025 on a working farm five miles from Ulverston in the South Lakes. An area we lived in and enjoyed for 2 1/2 years. The USP being it is only five minutes walk from The White Hart pub. Deposit only £9.99 balance 6-8 weeks before arrival.

Hi clive can you send me more details through a pm could be very interested ourselves thanks

 

[otherclive]

Hi clive can you send me more details through a pm could be very interested ourselves thanks

Done

 

[izzy]

There are lots of variables though. Not everyone pays £30,000 for their caravan. I've met people who picked one up for a little over £1,000 then 'did it up' themselves. They take their kids away for a week for a couple of hundred quid, and most likely will get most of their £1,000 back when and if they decide to sell.

Got to agree with that , our van cost £7500 in 2018 and is probably worth more now and with the way things are going it is as much as I would want to lose. Also it was cheap enough to leave on the drive if we decide on other types of holiday
At £30 000 plus I would be scared to take it on the road and the OH would have to knit it a pullover

 

[volts]

Those who got rid of the van will have done so for health or simply CBA tugging any more not because the alternatives are cheaper


A different view:

We are still undecided about caravanning and looking to get into it..As i see it the financial aspect from Self Catering isn't as wide as it might have been (heck may be even equal) all things added into a spreadsheet.

The biggest attraction to tugging is the ITS YOURS aspect.

Self Catering well you pay for the convenience (bedding etc etc)


But still the caravan life calls me because its "yours"

 

[otherclive]

To us caravanning gave us a lot more choice over the area we wished to visit. Being members of both Clubs there were the main sites and CL/CS plus the commercial sites too. So homing in on a location here or abroad wasn’t too difficult. Also our caravan was a part of our home and as such we could be totally relaxed about our living choices, and they did no have to change irrespective of where we went.
The various caravans provided us with many happy memories over many years of touring.

Go for it and enjoy.

 

[Buckman]

To us caravanning gave us a lot more choice over the area we wished to visit. Being members of both Clubs there were the main sites and CL/CS plus the commercial sites too. So homing in on a location here or abroad wasn’t too difficult. Also our caravan was a part of our home and as such we could be totally relaxed about our living choices, and they did no have to change irrespective of where we went.
The various caravans provided us with many happy memories over many years of touring.

Go for it and enjoy.

Agree 100% and the only thing that is making us undecided is medical issues. Over the summer we erected the canopy instead of the awning which made it easier for us. Biggest issue for us was erecting the windbreak to contain the dogs. Everything else is more or less automated.

 

[Beachball]

We got rid of our caravan because of health issues but i still use sites that have cottages ,lodges and static caravans it feels like home to me and when you have been touring for some years . But you will have to decide what most important to you . good luck .

 

[Buckman]

Going back to my original query regarding renting cottages. I am wondering if they are classed as "second" homes in many cases and whether they are going to be penalised when the new budget is revealed.

If so then there is a possibility that the cost of renting cottages will increase and that is a concern. The same would apply to AirBnBs. I doubt if many are classed as a business and if so there will probably be additional taxes.

Due to medical issues we have been considering selling the caravan, but if cottage and AirBnB increase dramatically we would be better off with the caravan especially as we have tow dogs that always travel with us.

I think we need to wait until after the budget before making any decisions!

 

[RogerL]

Going back to my original query regarding renting cottages. I am wondering if they are classed as "second" homes in many cases and whether they are going to be penalised when the new budget is revealed.

If so then there is a possibility that the cost of renting cottages will increase and that is a concern. The same would apply to AirBnBs. I doubt if many are classed as a business and if so there will probably be additional taxes.

Due to medical issues we have been considering selling the caravan, but if cottage and AirBnB increase dramatically we would be better off with the caravan especially as we have tow dogs that always travel with us.

I think we need to wait until after the budget before making any decisions!

I think many AirBnB's aren't classed as businesses - some local authorities are working hard to find ways of changing their classification so they pay business rates.

 

[Buckman]

I think many AirBnB's aren't classed as businesses - some local authorities are working hard to find ways of changing their classification so they pay business rates.

The above is a concern as obviously prices will then increase. I think a big problem for the authorities is that many AirBnbs are part of the original home i.e. a converted garage or perhaps an annex to the house. Cottages are obviously a different kettle of fish and probably will be targeted as a second home.

 

[otherclive]

Going back to my original query regarding renting cottages. I am wondering if they are classed as "second" homes in many cases and whether they are going to be penalised when the new budget is revealed.

If so then there is a possibility that the cost of renting cottages will increase and that is a concern. The same would apply to AirBnBs. I doubt if many are classed as a business and if so there will probably be additional taxes.

Due to medical issues we have been considering selling the caravan, but if cottage and AirBnB increase dramatically we would be better off with the caravan especially as we have tow dogs that always travel with us.

I think we need to wait until after the budget before making any decisions!

The rules concerning second homes and or holiday lets were changed by the last government to be more rigorous. That’s not to say that the new government might not change them further. Also local authorities under pressure to provide housing for local people are in some areas increasing council tax on those properties, sometimes to double the rate. AirBNB recently agreed to provide HMRC with details of the UK properties and accommodation that are on their books. This isn’t penalising them, it’s to ensure tax is paid on the income. To add a further complication CGT may increase in the budget and this possibility has led to rental properties including holiday lets to be marketed for sale.

So it’s a moving feast I’m afraid.

 

[Buckman]

The rules concerning second homes and or holiday lets were changed by the last government to be more rigorous. That’s not to say that the new government might not change them further. Also local authorities under pressure to provide housing for local people are in some areas increasing council tax on those properties, sometimes to double the rate. AirBNB recently agreed to provide HMRC with details of the UK properties and accommodation that are on their books. This isn’t penalising them, it’s to ensure tax is paid on the income. To add a further complication CGT may increase in the budget and this possibility has led to rental properties including holiday lets to be marketed for sale.

So it’s a moving feast I’m afraid.

Thanks OC. Unfortunately if we give up the caravan, we cannot revert back to using a tent etc. so it will have to be an AirBnB or a cottage. If the owner of the AirBnB has to pay tax, that should not cause too much of a ripple in rental costs. To us a cottage is more preferable than an AirBnB because of the dogs. I think we will hand in there until after the budget and then make a decision.

 

[otherclive]

Thanks OC. Unfortunately if we give up the caravan, we cannot revert back to using a tent etc. so it will have to be an AirBnB or a cottage. If the owner of the AirBnB has to pay tax, that should not cause too much of a ripple in rental costs. To us a cottage is more preferable than an AirBnB because of the dogs. I think we will hand in there until after the budget and then make a decision.

There are self contained AirBnB as our grandson rented a 2 bed cottage which adjoined the owners garden Center. It was convenient for York and cost £450 for the week inc energy. It allowed his dog , and future MIL. But he tends to look for late availability.

We have booked a nice 3 bed static that allows dogs,, on a working farm, in the South Lakes for mid June next year. It costs £1165 for the two weeks including energy. Deposit only £9.99 and payment six weeks before arrival. Set my own reminder too🙈

 

[Buckman]

Way back in 2010 when my medical issue was finally diagnosed we sold our caravan and the SUV, but within a year regretted it and had to start all over again the next year. Don't want to do that again although we are now 14 years older with a few more medical issues that came with age. We may be able to manage a few more years. Thought of a seasonal, but unsure at this point as that is not a cheap option. LOL!

 

[Dustydog]

Thanks OC. Unfortunately if we give up the caravan, we cannot revert back to using a tent etc. so it will have to be an AirBnB or a cottage. If the owner of the AirBnB has to pay tax, that should not cause too much of a ripple in rental costs. To us a cottage is more preferable than an AirBnB because of the dogs. I think we will hand in there until after the budget and then make a decision.

I guess it all depends how many nights a year you like to stay away.
Caravanning ,we come and go as we please, long and short stays.
Have you considered using a few seasonals throughout the year for the change of scenery? Avoids too much towing.

The real test for a lot of people will be Mrs Theeves edict in a few weeks time. Staycation may become a reality 😢😢

 

[Andy Norfolk]

We run a holiday let. It's run as a business and currently (pre budget) it is classed as a business by the local authority and we get small business rates relief. For us that means we pay no council tax on it. It's in the grounds of our house but a separate self contained building.

 

[Mel]

There is a massive shortage of affordable rental properties in this country. This is multi factorial but one factor is the growth in properties being used as rentable holiday homes. This is forcing locals out of both the rental and purchase property markets and has lead to some councils (particularly in the South West) lobbying for a change in planning regulations so that homes cannot be changed to holiday let’s without planning permission.
Mel

 

[otherclive]

I guess it all depends how many nights a year you like to stay away.
Caravanning ,we come and go as we please, long and short stays.
Have you considered using a few seasonals throughout the year for the change of scenery? Avoids too much towing.

The real test for a lot of people will be Mrs Theeves edict in a few weeks time. Staycation may become a reality 😢😢

The trend again this year has been for more people to go abroad. There’s been a reduction of holiday makers in Cornwall which is worrying the tourist board. Great news as the county might be less crowded.

Seriously though Britain had been expensive for holiday for a long time compared to going abroad. 12 days in a nice hotel in Turkey all inclusive with regional flight at £700 during this July can’t be matched here. For those who prefer nearer climes just look at Gites de France rates and others for European holidays.

I seriously don’t think the budget will affect holiday plans as much as the recent high level of inflation. Certainly not going back to having your cash capped when you went abroad on holiday as happened to us. But it stopped over spending on cheap plonk. 😃

 

[Buckman]

I guess it all depends how many nights a year you like to stay away.
Caravanning ,we come and go as we please, long and short stays.
Have you considered using a few seasonals throughout the year for the change of scenery? Avoids too much towing.

The real test for a lot of people will be Mrs Theeves edict in a few weeks time. Staycation may become a reality 😢😢

In the past year, we had to cancel a holiday booking due to our vehicle deciding to roll over and require medical attention so we lost the money paid for that week.

The next time we went out, we had to cut our holiday short because I required medical attention and did not fancy a stay at some unknown hospital miles from home.

A lot of people including us are quite concerned about the next budget and what else is going to hit us. I wonder if the tax on insurance premiums will also increase? Currently I think it is 12% so would not surprise us if it went up to 20%. Our caravan insurance is due end of this month.

 

[Buckman]

There is a massive shortage of affordable rental properties in this country. This is multi factorial but one factor is the growth in properties being used as rentable holiday homes. This is forcing locals out of both the rental and purchase property markets and has lead to some councils (particularly in the South West) lobbying for a change in planning regulations so that homes cannot be changed to holiday let’s without planning permission.
Mel

Unfortunately this could probably be due to the large influx of people into the UK without permission?

 

[Sam Vimes]

AirBnB isnt specific to any type of property. It can be boats, caravans, apartment, houses, barn conversions or cottages.

We are currently in Cornwall for three weeks staying in three different locations all booked via AirBnB. At this time of the year an average of £400 per week. The first two have been very nice barn conversions which take dogs if there's a need. The third, which we get to next week is an apartment.

I didn't fancy towing from Skye to Cornwall so saved on fuel and overnight stays-just one Travelodge at about £30.

While we really like our caravan, we're getting far more space and comfort and facilities in these cottages.

If i sold my van at about £16k then that would be equivalent to 40 weeks holiday in cottages. Of course other times of the year will be more expensive.

What we have discovered is that while Airbnb is perhaps the go-to place for cottages many of the listings can be booked directly through the owner at a discount.

 

[Buckman]

Thanks Sam. A very informative post.

 

[Dustydog]

The trend again this year has been for more people to go abroad.

That may change if Mr Sillyband wants net zero by 2030. Air travel is likely to be heavily green taxed.

Cornwall is one of the poorest Counties in the U.K. Young locals can’t afford to buy or rent because holiday makers pay premium prices for lets. Many of you will remember some years ago holiday homes in Wales were torched.

And yes until we learn the true impact of the Budget it is hard to make any decisions about anything. Just keep your tanks and batteries topped up!