It is with a heavy heart that I write this edition of NACO Reports as we find ourselves facing a growing concern within our industry – one that goes far beyond storm damage or rising costs. It is, quite simply, the poor and sometimes disgraceful treatment of consumers at the hands of the small but damaging number of holiday park operators.
Over the past few months, we have received an increase in reports from members and non-members alike, detailing aggressive sales tactics, vague and unclear contracts, unjustified pitch fee increases and, in the most troubling cases, pressure to leave the park altogether (particularly when a park is ‘sold off’.) These are not isolated incidents – they represent a pattern of behaviour that undermines the trust, stability, and community spirit that should be at the heart of holiday home ownership.
Let me be clear: this behaviour is not representative of the whole industry.
There are countless good, honest park operators who work with integrity, value their customers, and understand that long term relationships are built on fairness, trust, and respect. But for too long the actions of a small minority have gone unchecked and the damage they cause ripples far beyond their own park entrance.
That is why I want to take a moment to recognise the efforts of the Holiday Park Action Group. This independent group of owners and advocates has worked with determination to bring this issue to light. Their campaigning has helped to shine a spotlight on the darker corners of our industry and hopefully has drawn the attention of regulators and policy makers.
At NACO, we stand fully behind our aims and objectives to protect our industry’s consumers from unfair practices and to ensure that the industry is held to a higher standard, one that reflects the real values that holiday home ownership can bring when carried out professionally.
There is much work still to do. We need better regulation, clearer guidance, and most of all an industry-wide commitment to fair and transparent dealings, which should include the holiday home caravan manufacturers, the National Caravan Council, and the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.
Finally, a holiday park should never feel like a trap. It should be a place of respite, family, and freedom. It is time we made that true for everyone.
With the ever-increasing cost of holiday home ownership, NACO considers it is imperative now that the industry as a whole stands firmly behind the move to provide a more secure and detailed contract for all our holiday home owners. NACO now has plans afoot to petition all the commercial operators within the industry to join in on pressurising those responsible for making this a legal commitment.
SIDE NOTES
Two holiday home owners overheard discussing……….
SPACE INVADERS
File No.13
I’ve got some troublesome neighbours. I think they’re avoiding me.
Have you been talking to them again?
I popped over at 7am to share my leftover curry.
Seven in the morning!
Well, I was up. Thought they might fancy a bit of spice with their cornflakes.
That’s not normal.
Then I invited them to my quiz night.
You mean the one with a foghorn for a buzzer?
That’s how you build atmosphere!
You shattered their windows.
They didn’t come, anyway. Said they were “busy.”
That’s neighbour-speak for “we’re hiding behind the sofa.”
I also trimmed their hedge.
Did they ask you to?
Not exactly, but it was growing in an unsatisfying direction.
You cut it into the shape of a swan.
A tasteful swan! I even added solar lights.
You stapled them to their shed.
Honestly, some people have no sense of community.
Or personal space.
I’m starting to think they don’t like me.
You’ve only just started?
I’m going to report them to the site office.
Good idea. I expect they’ll throw someone off the park.
