You've made the decision to buy your lodge and you have chosen the park on which you want to purchase. What are the points you should consider before making that final decision?

THE LODGE

What specification is your lodge built to? BS 3632? BS EN 1647? Building Regulation standard? Or, just not sure!! Is there a warranty?

BS 3632 - This is a full residential specification, which means you can use your lodge throughout the year, but you may not live in it permanently on a park licensed for holiday use.

Warranty - The National Park Homes Council's Gold Shield Ten Year Warranty scheme is available on this specification of lodge on a Gold Shield registered park. (Only approved manufacturers with the scheme apply) Park not registered? Check with the Park Owner for details of the Manufacturer's Warranty Terms and Conditions.

BS EN 1647 - This is a British Standard European Norm specification for holiday homes and holiday lodges with less insulation and not meant for use over the colder winter months.

Warranty - This specification is generally covered by a 12 month manufacturer's warranty. However, please note that this warranty would become null and void should the owner be found using the holiday home for residential purposes.

Building Regulation standard - This is a full residential specification to the same standard as the home you live in.

Warranty - It is possible that the builder of these lodges may be able to offer a ten year NHBC warranty, or something similar by other warranty suppliers. Please ask.

Or, just not sure! - it has come to our attention that some parks are buying flat pack lodges, sometimes from abroad and then erecting them on site. You are always wise to ask for the manufacturer's name and the specification a lodge is built to. If the park owner is unable to give you this information, you may like to reconsider.

Warranty - This could present something of a problem, as you may not know the manufacturer of the lodge. However, ultimately, the park owner, as the supplier, would be responsible for a 12 month guarantee under current legislation. It would be advisable to get something in writing.

FINANCING YOUR LODGE

Lodges built to British Standard 3632 and British Standard European Norm 1647 would qualify you to arrange finance with a specialist finance company, such as RoyScot Larch.

The lodge would be granted a licensed agreement at the time of sale entitling the lodge to remain on the park for a given period of time, which can be anything from 15 to 45 years. Please ask.

Lodges built to Building Regulation standard will be granted a lease for a specific period of time, anything up to 125 years and would qualify for a normal second home mortgage.

Do remember when looking at financing the purchase of your lodge, you need to take into account an annual ground rent and possibly an annual maintenance charge and Council Tax.

THE LODGE PARK

In the excitement of making the decision to buy your holiday lodge, there may be some vital questions you have forgotten to ask, or things you have forgotten to check. We have listed a few here and hope they may be useful:-

Before making the final decision, take the time to talk to other lodge owners on the park - are they happy with their purchase? Do the park owners attend to any maintenance and requests quickly and efficiently? Are there any problems on the park they can tell you about before you commit yourself?

Most park owners will tell you that their existing lodge owners are their best selling force, so take advantage of using them!