Help with my Late Fathers Static Caravan
Discussion
Hi All
My father passed away back in November 23. For many years, he has had a static caravan on a site just outside Bewdley.
Its not a huge place (approx. 30 statics on there along with a few touring caravans). It is based on a working farm and is basically a field, with designated pitches for the statics. They are all connected properly with water / electric etc.
I'd guess its been sited there around 10 years. maybe more. The static, is not worth a lot. Few grand maximum I would say.
He has a habit of charging people for everything. One friend on there recently sold his van for a considerable sum, and had to pay the site owner a good £6k out of the sale, despite said friend arranging removal of the van himself.
This is where I (well, my late fathers partner), have ran into a slight issue. Farm owner is now saying we need to pay a "change of ownership fee", which he has billed us £500 for - not sure where he has got this figure from. My dads partner, understandably, is quite upset at this. She is a pensioner, doesn't have much money (my dad passed away in debt also, which has been sorted), so this is a considerable amount of money for her (they were not married).
However, to have the caravan moved from the site requires transport, at a considerable sum, and then a "disconnection fee" to be paid to the site owner, of many pounds, I would suspect.
So we are unsure now where to go from here, as while the site fees are relatively cheap for the area, having to pay the change of ownership fee of this amount, takes the piss.
On the other hand, moving it is going to cost even more.
Are there any laws around this sort of thing, and what site owners can charge, or can they just please themselves?
I doubt the site owner would want the van, as its pretty worthless to him, so he won't want to sell it on or anything like that.
Site fees will have to be paid imminently as well (around £1,500).
Any advice on how to proceed from here would be grateful. Most will say speak to the farm owner, but he is far from a reasonable man, and his wife is even worse!
Thanks
James
My father passed away back in November 23. For many years, he has had a static caravan on a site just outside Bewdley.
Its not a huge place (approx. 30 statics on there along with a few touring caravans). It is based on a working farm and is basically a field, with designated pitches for the statics. They are all connected properly with water / electric etc.
I'd guess its been sited there around 10 years. maybe more. The static, is not worth a lot. Few grand maximum I would say.
He has a habit of charging people for everything. One friend on there recently sold his van for a considerable sum, and had to pay the site owner a good £6k out of the sale, despite said friend arranging removal of the van himself.
This is where I (well, my late fathers partner), have ran into a slight issue. Farm owner is now saying we need to pay a "change of ownership fee", which he has billed us £500 for - not sure where he has got this figure from. My dads partner, understandably, is quite upset at this. She is a pensioner, doesn't have much money (my dad passed away in debt also, which has been sorted), so this is a considerable amount of money for her (they were not married).
However, to have the caravan moved from the site requires transport, at a considerable sum, and then a "disconnection fee" to be paid to the site owner, of many pounds, I would suspect.
So we are unsure now where to go from here, as while the site fees are relatively cheap for the area, having to pay the change of ownership fee of this amount, takes the piss.
On the other hand, moving it is going to cost even more.
Are there any laws around this sort of thing, and what site owners can charge, or can they just please themselves?
I doubt the site owner would want the van, as its pretty worthless to him, so he won't want to sell it on or anything like that.
Site fees will have to be paid imminently as well (around £1,500).
Any advice on how to proceed from here would be grateful. Most will say speak to the farm owner, but he is far from a reasonable man, and his wife is even worse!
Thanks
James
paintman said:
Sorry for your loss.
What does any contract your late father had with the site owner say?
No contract - I've checked with someone else on the site, who just has the original bill of sale from their caravan which they purchased on there.What does any contract your late father had with the site owner say?
The person I spoke too said: Cohabitation for 2 years or more gives her the same rights as a married woman. So if your dad left it to her they have no right to charge to put it in her name.
Whether this is true or not, I'm not sure.
Bill said:
And does she want the van and have £1.5/2k available.I did think of the eBay route, but again, would have to pay the owner disconnection fees, so either way, we are screwed with having to pay large amounts!
boyse7en said:
If he says that the partner doesn't have a contract with him for the siting of the van - which seems to be the case as he is demanding £500 to transfer the contract over – then who is he asking for the £1500 site fees from? Your father's estate?
Exactly this and of course at this moment in time, site owner is unaware that my dad died in debt, so is unaware there is no money in his estate.My dad had a loan outstanding at the bank for £8k. On his death, they instructed debt collectors (I assume this is a standard issue when an account holder dies and funds are owed). Debt collectors asked me to fill in an assets and liabilities form, which I did, and they replied stating they acknowledge receipt of the form, and I won't be hearing from them again in respect of the debt and they would transfer the issue back to the bank (I haven't heard from the bank since, so I assume it's been written off)
I think we have an easy get out at the moment. I can send him a recorded delivery letter (after I've been down at the weekend to remove some possessions out of it!), sending him proof of me being executor (not my dad's partner as I think he assumes), and proof of all the debt collectors correspondence to prove lack of cash/ assets.
I wouldn't think there is much more he can do? Me and my dad's partner surely can't be liable and there is no money to pay from the estate so he will have to deal with it himself.
Bill said:
Good point, best tell the bank and let them sort it out. 
It is the estates asset. there are no loans on it and as said, it's pretty worthless in terms of a sale (I could probably sell it for £1k but how much does it cost to move a static nowadays?) More than that I can bet, so who will buy it!There is no money in the estate so all I can do is inform him of this surely
I've spoken to my dad's partner. She has no interest in keeping it or paying expenses associated with it so I'll be going down there, clearing most of the stuff out of it, then I'll ve sending him a letter (with proof of estate debt) that the estate can't pay what he's asking and to do as he sees fit with it.
My dad's partner said its caused her some stress wondering what the hell we are going to do with it so this seems like the best course of action I think.
My dad's partner said its caused her some stress wondering what the hell we are going to do with it so this seems like the best course of action I think.
r3g said:
I have some experience in this on the transport side.....
Thank you for your long and informative post.I did suspect moving it was totally out of the question. My dad's partner actually had a static moved around 14 years ago and it was £1k back then so I didn't think it would be worth while.
She has her own place. This caravan was just a bolthole - a change of scenery half an hour away for some sanctuary but luckily she has seen sense and wants rid.
So I'll be clearing it out at the weekend and writing the site owner a nice letter explaining the circumstances.
Much appreciate everyone's opinions on this, which were along the same thoughts as ours.
I'll update when I get a response from the farm owner.
soupdragon1 said:
It's private property and the typical line is that they will bring the van to the site entrance ready to be collected (and charge a fee) safely disconnect the services (and charge a fee)
Even sites registered with the industry bodies mentioned earlier are able to make these charges, as well as take a cut of the private sale price.
Consumer protection is very low in this industry.
.
I think that's what happens here. He's basically got everyone by the balls who has a static there. They either pay the yearly fee to keep it there, or if they want to sell it they have two options:Even sites registered with the industry bodies mentioned earlier are able to make these charges, as well as take a cut of the private sale price.
Consumer protection is very low in this industry.
.
1) Sell to the farmer for 50p, if the caravan is new enough that he can make some wedge out of it, that is, or if not....
2) you can arrange transport yourself and pay for it by the farmer will charge a hefty disconnection fee and you will have the added costs of paying for the transport, which as said above is $$
Got you either way in terms of a big bill but we have the get out that it's part of a deceased estate which has no money to move it or dispose of it.
Me and my dad's partner can't afford to shift it either (and no matter which way you look at it, you can't get blood out of a stone!)
As for it being worth 6k, I'm not sure. It's not in bad nick inside. My father and partner even lived in it for 3 years before getting their own place so it's pretty well insulated and fit for someone but it's pretty old so just not sure he would be interested.
Thanks for all the replies
The Gauge said:
It's a civil contract so not criminal, nothing to do with police so that means getting solicitors involved £££ which isn't really an option.
Personally I'd collect any possessions without the farmer knowing, then just walk away from it without any correspondence with the farmer whatsoever. I wouldn't be writing to him pr speaking to him as there doesn't seem to be any obligation from the OP to the farmer. The caravan is on the farmers land, the estate wants nothing to do with it, there's nothing else to be said/done.
I would do that but he has both mine and my dad's partners address, so I thought it polite to at least send a letter explaining the situation. He clearly thinks my dad's partner is inheriting the caravan, hence the change of ownership bill. When that isn't actually correct so I thought better to set the record straight then he knows where he stands and he can do as he wishes with the caravan!Personally I'd collect any possessions without the farmer knowing, then just walk away from it without any correspondence with the farmer whatsoever. I wouldn't be writing to him pr speaking to him as there doesn't seem to be any obligation from the OP to the farmer. The caravan is on the farmers land, the estate wants nothing to do with it, there's nothing else to be said/done.
Edited by The Gauge on Thursday 4th April 08:35
K4sper said:
Who actually owns this caravan? Presumably someone must have / must be about to inherit it? Maybe it is OP if dad died intestate? It belongs to someone and it is currently sitting on some third party's land, so I'm not sure that OP, whether as executor or new owner, can just throw their hands up and walk away...
Caravan is officially in my dad's name. I have no idea if he originally purchased it off the site owner or not. I'm assuming so as from what I can remember it was already in situ when they got the keys but there are no contracts or paperwork in his stack of stuff so it's all assuming. I am son and executer of his will and everything is left to me. Estate in 8k of debt when he died which I have sorted with the bank/ the banks debt collectors.
I'm now just stuck with this bloody caravan. I can't afford to do anything with it, neither can his partner. I've inherited the problem but don't have the funds to pay the rent or removal fees as obviously there was no money coming to me when he died. All I've inherited is his citizen watch and about 30 tons of tools / screwdrivers etc.
I'll have a look what it is when I go down there but I know by the time relocation fees are taken into account, the caravan is not worth any money. The debt collectors referred by dad's debt back to the bank back at start of Feb and I've heard nothing since.
Can't see the bank being interested in a static caravan, where by when everything I'd said and done, is worthless.
Can't see the bank being interested in a static caravan, where by when everything I'd said and done, is worthless.
Alickadoo said:
I think that is more or less, it.
Your father's debts are not your debts.
Do you want the caravan? How much is it worth to you?
Simply put, no we don't want it and its worthless to us!Your father's debts are not your debts.
Do you want the caravan? How much is it worth to you?
Just want rid of it and the hassle. I'm currently drafting a letter and will post it up
Yellow Lizud said:
What do you mean by 'officially' ??
If there is no paperwork and no contracts then could it not be 'officially' in the farmers name?
"Here's your caravan back, thanks for the loan of it, goodbye"
Well I'm making an assumption that when purchased, my dad paid the asking price the farmer wanted for it. I can only assume it is in his name as all the bills have since been in his name.If there is no paperwork and no contracts then could it not be 'officially' in the farmers name?
"Here's your caravan back, thanks for the loan of it, goodbye"
I have drafted the following letter. Critique welcomed:
Letter said:
Dear Mr (Farmer)
I am in receipt of your bill (copy enclosed) for the change of ownership fees of £500 relating to static caravan number 16, sited on (Park Address)
As you are aware, (fathers name), passed away back in November 2023. At present, the caravan is part of his estate.
Upon his death, (fathers name) estate was in debt, and I enclose relevant documentation from the Solicitors, instructed by the bank, to try and reclaim money from the estate to pay the attached debt, however, after filing in the necessary assets and liabilities form, the solicitors confirmed that there is not sufficient funds in the estate to pay and have closed the case.
This means that unfortunately, there is not sufficient funds in the estate to pay any debt or costs relating to his static caravan moving forward.
I am writing to inform you that due to this, you are free to dispose of the caravan as you see fit as the estate can not pay the change of name fee and there is no money in the estate to pay the upcoming site rental fees for year 24/25.
I have also enclosed a copy of the will, just so you can see that I am dealing with this as executor.
Yours sincerely
James_N
I am in receipt of your bill (copy enclosed) for the change of ownership fees of £500 relating to static caravan number 16, sited on (Park Address)
As you are aware, (fathers name), passed away back in November 2023. At present, the caravan is part of his estate.
Upon his death, (fathers name) estate was in debt, and I enclose relevant documentation from the Solicitors, instructed by the bank, to try and reclaim money from the estate to pay the attached debt, however, after filing in the necessary assets and liabilities form, the solicitors confirmed that there is not sufficient funds in the estate to pay and have closed the case.
This means that unfortunately, there is not sufficient funds in the estate to pay any debt or costs relating to his static caravan moving forward.
I am writing to inform you that due to this, you are free to dispose of the caravan as you see fit as the estate can not pay the change of name fee and there is no money in the estate to pay the upcoming site rental fees for year 24/25.
I have also enclosed a copy of the will, just so you can see that I am dealing with this as executor.
Yours sincerely
James_N
LimmerickLad said:
Not suggesting you do.....but if you wanted to play games you could just write back and ask for a copy of the contract as Executor before you tell him the rest 
I could have some fun with him but i don't want the agro or stress.This other person I have been speaking too says that the farmer charged someone £7k on there for a son taking over his fathers caravan! Its ridiculous, it seems he can just charge as he wishes!
I think I just want out now, there is clearly no contracts in place (which could play into my hands if he plays silly buggers or threatens me with anything).
Me and my dads partner are going down there tomorrow to clear what remains in the caravan (which isn't much, some tools and a tv etc) internal fixtures and fittings can be left behind, we don't want them.
The plan was to clear everything out that we could, and leave the keys in it and then send him a letter early next week.
I could ask him for docs / contracts but I just don't want the hassle.
Me and my dads partner are going down there tomorrow to clear what remains in the caravan (which isn't much, some tools and a tv etc) internal fixtures and fittings can be left behind, we don't want them.
The plan was to clear everything out that we could, and leave the keys in it and then send him a letter early next week.
I could ask him for docs / contracts but I just don't want the hassle.
Thanks for all the advice guys.
Went down there yesterday and cleared the place out of anything and everything I could. Didn't leave anything the farmer could potentially make money off.
He did come round in his tractor delivering gas bottles to some of the other residents, and despite it being pretty obvious what we were up too, he didn't come and speak to us.
Turns out he now wants to start charging from October to October, so we have received a revised bill. For rental from April to October 24, then from October 24 to October 25.
Plus change of name fee
Plus electric bill (we paid the £60 electric as we knew it would be owed but it hasn't hit his bank yet hence why its on the bill)
Then adds VAT on!
So now the outstanding bill stands at £3k!
Went down there yesterday and cleared the place out of anything and everything I could. Didn't leave anything the farmer could potentially make money off.
He did come round in his tractor delivering gas bottles to some of the other residents, and despite it being pretty obvious what we were up too, he didn't come and speak to us.
Turns out he now wants to start charging from October to October, so we have received a revised bill. For rental from April to October 24, then from October 24 to October 25.
Plus change of name fee
Plus electric bill (we paid the £60 electric as we knew it would be owed but it hasn't hit his bank yet hence why its on the bill)
Then adds VAT on!
So now the outstanding bill stands at £3k!
GasEngineer said:
Very interested to see what happens when you tell him as the only asset of the estate, the caravan now effectively belongs to the bank and is nothing to do with you!
Genuinely don't think the bank would be interested in it given the fees and costs to remove it.I'll be telling him he can do as he wishes with it (and perhaps If he replies being an arse, then I'll contact the bank and let them deal with it)
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