More Flexible Subletting Rules Than Typical National Holiday Park Operator

According to data posted by Willerby in 2020, there are at least 365,000 caravan holiday homes in the UK, along with an additional 100,000 residential park homes.

So, if you’re in the market for a static caravan, you’re not alone.

Whether you’re buying a holiday home for family getaways or to generate income through rentals, one of the most important things to consider is the park’s subletting rules. 

These vary widely from one park to another, and choosing the right level of flexibility can make a big difference to how much enjoyment and income you get from your static caravan.

What Subletting Flexibility Really Means

When it comes to subletting in the UK’s holiday parks, flexibility tends to refer to how relaxed a holiday park’s rules are around letting your static caravan to holidaymakers when you’re not using it. 

Who Manages Bookings and Rentals

Strict parks often require you to use the park’s own letting service, which means the operator handles everything.

From bookings and guest communication, to cleaning and changeovers, they handle it all. 

This is a simple, straightforward way of handling static caravan subletting.

But, there is one major downside – those services usually come at a cos. 

This reduces your earnings.

More flexible parks let you manage bookings yourself, through private platforms or your own marketing channels. 

This takes more work, but means you keep more of the rental income.

How Often You Can Stay or Rent

Some holiday parks have strict limits on occupancy, such as maximum consecutive stays for guests, or caps on the number of sublet weeks you can have per year. 

Others might require that you register all visitors and stay within specified occupancy windows.

If a park is more flexible, they might let you decide how many weeks to offer yourself, and give you the freedom to decide how long guests can stay. 

This gives you greater control over both your personal use and rental availability.

With 63% of Brits taking a UK break each year, as highlighted by The Sykes Staycation Index 2025, there’s a big market to tap into.

With more flexibility, you can target more of that market. 

A Spectrum of Holiday Park Subletting Rule

There’s a whole spectrum of subletting rules, with some operators offering more flexible subletting rules than typical national holiday park operators.

Strict Holiday Park Operators Example

If you choose a holiday park operator on the stricter end of the spectrum, you can sublet, but only for short periods and with compliance conditions. 

Holiday homes must be in good condition, have safety certificates and owners must declare dates. 

There can also be rules about cleaning, guest facility charges and check-in arrangements.

Managed Letting Services

Some parks will take your static caravan and put it into their managed letting pool.

This means they handle bookings and changeovers for you. 

You simply tell them which dates your unit is available, and they try to fill them.

Fully Independent Subletting

At the most flexible end of the spectrum, some holiday parks allow owners to market and manage rentals entirely on their own.

Though basic health and safety checks are usually required, and sometimes a modest park admin fee is charged, the rest of the subletting process is left in your hands.

Why Subletting Matters for Static Caravan Buyers

The caravan and holiday park sector is a big contributor to domestic tourism in the UK, with thousands of parks and hundreds of thousands of pitches available to sublet.

For prospective static caravan buyers, the ability to sublet can help offset running costs like pitch fees, utilities and maintenance. 

According to Park Holidays, some owners report possible earnings in the region of up to £12,000 a year from letting, depending on caravan size, location and how many weeks you open for bookings.

But, it’s not just about money. 

More flexible subletting means:

• You decide when you want the caravan for your own holidays.
• You can choose the platforms and pricing that suit your strategy.
• You avoid being locked in to rigid rules that might restrict income or personal use.

Choose Flexible Subletting with the Right Holiday Park Operators

Choosing a static caravan with the right subletting flexibility isn’t just a small, minor detail.

It’s a key part of your holiday home strategy. 

Whether you’re buying for lifestyle, income or a mix of both, understanding the spectrum of subletting rules will help you make a smarter investment decision.

Sources

Willerby, Can You Live in a Static Caravan All Year Round, 2020

The Sykes Staycation Index 2025

Park Holidays, Earn an Income from Letting with Us, 2026