At Waterside, we believe transparency builds trust. That’s why we take the time to explain exactly what’s involved, what’s optional, what’s non-optional, and how we support you through every step of purchasing a holiday home - calmly, clearly and honestly.
If you’re exploring holiday home ownership in Dorset or Cornwall, this guide breaks it all down, so you can move forward feeling informed and confident.
Step One: Buying Your Holiday Home
The first and most important decision is purchasing the holiday home itself.
At Waterside, you always buy the holiday home first, and there are flexible options to suit different budgets and lifestyles:
- Pay in full if you prefer a one-off purchase
- Finance options available, allowing you to pay a deposit followed by manageable monthly payments
Our ownership team will talk you through the available models, pitches, prices and layouts across our parks - from coastal locations to countryside retreats and help you find something that works financially and personally.
There’s no pressure, no jargon, and no rushing. Just clear guidance.
The 5 Non-Optional Responsibilities (Clearly Explained)
Once you own a holiday home, there are a small number of standard running costs that apply across the industry. We’re upfront about these from day one.
1. Site Fees (also known as Ground Rent)
Site fees keep your holiday home on its pitch and give you access to the park and its facilities whenever you, your family or friends visit.
- Covers maintenance of the park and communal areas
- Gives you access to on-park facilities
Flexible payment options:
- Pay in full
- Or spread the cost interest-free over 10 months by Direct Debit
Many owners also choose to let their holiday home when they’re not using it, helping to contribute towards annual running costs.
2. Non-Domestic Business Rates
These are set by the local council and are standard for holiday homes across the UK.
They typically cover:
- Rubbish collection
- Water
- Sewerage
To keep things simple, rates can be combined with your site fees and paid:
- In full
- Or spread interest-free over 10 months
No surprise bills, no confusion.
3. Gas (Metered LPG)
At Waterside, we use piped LPG gas, not gas bottles.
That means:
- You only pay for what you actually use
- No changing or storing gas bottles
- Usage is metered throughout the year
Gas is billed annually, based on usage.
4. Electricity
Electricity is also:
- Metered
- Tracked accurately
- Billed annually
Gas and electricity are grouped together under utilities, making them easy to manage and understand.
5. Insurance
Holiday home insurance is essential, and we make this straightforward.
- We work with Compass Insurance and provide a quote as standard
- Typical cost is around £200–£350 per year
- Paid pro rata if arranged through us
If you prefer to arrange your own insurance, that’s absolutely fine - we just ask for a valid policy for our records.
Annual Safety Certificates (Required)
For safety and compliance, holiday homes require:
- Gas Safety Certificate - annually
- EICR (Electrical Safety Test) - annually
These ensure your holiday home remains safe, compliant and protected for years to come.
Optional Services
These are not required, but many owners choose them for convenience especially if they don’t live nearby.
Optional services include:
- Decking clean
- Gutter clean
- Driveway clean
- Holiday home interior clean
- Winterisation (drain down)
You can opt in whenever you like, or not at all. There’s no obligation.
Why Transparency Matters More Than Ever
We know that, sadly, some holiday home owners elsewhere have felt misled or caught out by unclear costs in the past. That’s why we take a different approach.
At Waterside:
- Nothing is hidden
- Everything is explained clearly
- You’re supported before, during and long after purchase
Our goal isn’t just to sell holiday homes, it’s to build long-term relationships with owners who feel confident, informed and genuinely happy with their decision.
Holiday Home Ownership with Waterside
Whether you’re looking for:
- A coastal holiday home in Dorset
- A countryside retreat in Cornwall
- A place for family escapes, slow weekends or spontaneous getaways
Our parks offer a relaxed, welcoming ownership experience backed by a team who guide you through the financial side step by step.
If you’d like to explore holiday home ownership with Waterside, we’re always happy to talk - no pressure, just honest advice.
Because owning a holiday home should feel reassuring, exciting and completely transparent from day one.
What If Holiday Home Ownership Isn’t Right for You?
We also believe it’s important to be clear about what happens if, at any point, holiday home ownership no longer works for you.
The key thing to know is this: you’re not trapped.
There are several options available to you:
- Sell the holiday home back to us
- Sell privately, which we’ll guide you through and support where we can
- Sell to a holiday home trader
Whichever route you choose, our team will explain the process clearly so you understand your options and can make the right decision for you.
Being Transparent About Value
It’s also important to be upfront: like most leisure assets, a holiday home depreciates once purchased, meaning you should expect to walk away with less than the original purchase price if you decide to sell.
We don’t shy away from that conversation because informed decisions are confident decisions.
Holiday home ownership should feel enjoyable, flexible and right for your lifestyle. And if it ever stops being that, you have a clear way forward.
