Can you rent out your static caravan?
In most cases yes — but the first place to check is your own park. Letting rules vary between holiday parks, so read your licence agreement and speak to the park office before you advertise. Some parks are completely fine with private letting, others restrict it or require you to let through them, and a few prohibit it. Confirm what paperwork they need and whether there are any conditions on who can stay.
Assuming your park allows it, renting out the weeks you are not using is one of the most common ways owners offset the cost of ownership.
Gas safety, insurance and your obligations
If you let your caravan to paying guests, you take on responsibilities similar to any holiday-let landlord. In practice that usually means an annual gas safety check carried out by a registered engineer, with a Landlord's Gas Safety Certificate displayed inside the van.
Tell your insurer that you intend to let. Standard static caravan insurance often does not cover commercial letting, so you may need to add holiday-let or public liability cover. Letting without the right cover can invalidate a claim.
- Annual gas safety check + certificate displayed in the van.
- Appropriate insurance — letting/holiday-let cover, not standard owner-only cover.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in working order.
- Clear check-in instructions and park rules for guests.
How is the rental income taxed?
Rental income from a static caravan is taxable and must be declared to HMRC, normally through self-assessment. Keep records of what you receive and your allowable costs (site fees, insurance, cleaning, repairs, advertising).
Note an important change: the Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHL) regime ended on 6 April 2025 for Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax. Income that used to qualify as FHL is now treated under ordinary property income rules, which changes some of the reliefs and allowances that were previously available. If letting income is a meaningful part of your finances, it is worth a short conversation with an accountant about your specific position.
How much can you earn?
Earnings depend on your park, location, the van's size and condition, and how many weeks you let. Coastal and family parks in peak summer command the highest rates; shoulder seasons and midweek breaks fill the gaps.
Many owners aim first to cover their annual site fees and insurance, which is often achievable within 10–15 weeks of bookings, with anything beyond that as profit. Letting direct to guests — rather than through an operator that takes a margin — keeps more of each booking with you.
How to get bookings direct
You can advertise on owner forums and social media, but the simplest way to fill specific weeks is to let guests come to you. On a reverse-marketplace model you list your van and the weeks you want to let, guests in your area post the dates and budget they want, and you send your best offer for the dates that suit your own calendar.
Because you are booking direct with the guest, there is no operator margin inflating the price — which is exactly why guests often pay less than a park's list rate while you keep more.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my park's permission to sublet?+
Usually you should check first. Letting rules vary by park — read your licence agreement and speak to the park office. Many allow private letting, some restrict it, a few prohibit it. Confirm any conditions and paperwork before advertising.
What insurance do I need to let my caravan?+
Standard owner-only cover often excludes commercial letting. Tell your insurer you intend to let and add holiday-let / public liability cover as needed — letting without it can invalidate a claim.
How is the income taxed after the FHL changes?+
Rental income is taxable and declared via self-assessment. The Furnished Holiday Lettings regime ended on 6 April 2025, so former FHL income is now taxed under ordinary property income rules. Speak to an accountant about your situation.
How much can I earn renting my static caravan?+
It depends on park, location, season and how many weeks you let. Many owners cover annual site fees and insurance within 10–15 weeks of bookings, with more on top as profit. Letting direct keeps more of each booking.
Do I need a gas safety certificate?+
If you let to paying guests you'll typically need an annual gas safety check by a registered engineer, with the certificate displayed inside the van.