Static caravans are a popular staycation option, and if you own some private land, offering a caravan rental could be a good way of generating another income. Renting out a caravan on private land provides more flexibility than renting one out on a holiday park and gives the potential for a higher income as you don’t have to factor in site and pitch fees. It also gives you more freedom to put your own stamp on the whole experience, creating a unique getaway for your guests. Here’s what you need to know if you’d like to rent out your caravan on private land.
Getting Started
Understanding the holiday let market
Holidaymakers looking for a caravan to hire on private land tend to want a different type of break from those who choose holiday parks. They may be looking for a complete escape in a quieter location with walks on their doorstep, or if the caravan is on a working farm, you may attract families looking for a contrast to their busy lives at home.
To help you market your caravan, consider the demographics of who your static caravan will be primarily aimed at and make the most of your unique selling points. If you are close to a particular beauty spot, mention this in your caravan’s marketing description, or if you have any unusual or friendly animals on your farm that families could visit, make them a selling point for choosing you. You could list the top walks and pubs to eat in nearby, too, so potential guests can picture themselves on a relaxing break, tempting them to book.
How to prepare your caravan for guests
Repeat customers and good reviews will make all of the difference when you rent out a static caravan. They will make filling up your bookings calendar easier, and you can build relationships with regular guests. So, it’s important that every guest has an excellent first impression. None negotiables include a high level of cleanliness and all of the basics a guest will need while on a break, such as a good range of kitchen utensils, high-quality linen and towels, and cleaning products. To impress your guests and make them feel at home, you could provide some thoughtful extras, such as bodyboards near a beach, a welcome pack with local produce plus information about nearby attractions, and board games or other items to keep guests entertained.
Keeping up with the maintenance of your caravan is also essential. Make sure everything is working before each visit, and book relevant safety checks, such as gas safety and ventilation checks, regularly.
Ensure that your pre-arrival, check-in and check-out procedures make the whole process straightforward and hassle-free, too.
Essential utilities and amenities for your caravan
You’ll need to provide essential utilities in your caravan – water, electricity and waste disposal solutions – and extras that can increase its appeal. Most visitors expect a decent WiFi connection and will appreciate extras such as an outdoor space to make the most of any good weather. If you’d like to increase the appeal of your caravan and potentially charge more, you could add some luxuries that would appeal to your target market, such as a hot tub, barbeque area or play equipment such as a swing or slide for children.
How to market your caravan
To help you market your caravan, think about what makes it unique. Is there a brilliant local attraction nearby? Is there something unique about your caravan or where it’s located? If so, make sure you talk about this in your marketing material.
Photographs will be an important part of any online listing, so make yours stand out with high-quality exterior shots. Show off any views that the caravan enjoys and outdoor decking areas, too. Interior shots should portray your static caravan as a clean, minimal, and tidy place to stay. Potential guests are often most interested in seeing pictures of the living and bedroom areas.
When setting prices, research other listings nearby and keep your prices in line with these – but consider any differences that might push prices up, such as extra facilities, a more convenient location for amenities or peak holiday periods. During quieter periods, consider applying discounts to make your caravan appealing.
How to maintain your static caravan and land
To ensure guests are satisfied during their stay and want to come back again and again, you’ll need to regularly maintain your caravan’s interiors, appliances, exterior, and surrounding land. In addition to making your caravan a pleasant place to stay, regular maintenance and checks will ensure everything is safe and in working order and help preserve your static caravan’s value.
Do your research to ensure you’re prepared for owning a static caravan to rent on private land. Talk to your local authority about the planning permission and licences you’ll need to apply for before you launch your project – you’ll likely need planning permission as it will be a change of use of your land.
Next Steps!
Once you’ve decided that you’d like to rent out your caravan on private land, it’s time to take the following steps towards attracting customers. You’ll need to find potential customers when your caravan is ready for guests. One way to do this is to list it on a site such as UKcaravansforhire. We receive over three million website visitors annually and market to a customer database of more than 200,000 subscribers. Plus, we don’t charge a subscription to use our site – we only get paid through commission when you receive a booking!