Lovat Parks
Green Hill Farm

Paula's Story...

We purchased a lodge in September 2022. Having looked around and chose a small quiet new park in the New Forest, with my partner, with a view to using it as a base while travelling. I had reservations regarding depreciation as not bricks and mortar but was told by their sales manager to allow for loss of approx £10,000 per annum and some people had even sold theirs for more than the original purchase price as they were such high spec and that they did buy back lodges if we wanted to sell in the future. I originally wanted a 3 bed but he said that they did not do 3 beds on the site which I later found out was a lie. We asked if we were able to live on site Autumn-Winter and again wrongly told yes as long as we had a day away every 60 days.

He got a very healthy commission as i was told by the reception lady to give him a glowing feedback to ensure he got it. We were also given print outs of their letting scheme as proof that they could cover the yearly pitch fee and give us a healthy income..again a lie, it didnt even cover the pitch fee. So we bought for £279,995 and paid £500 insurance to cover breakages etc under their letting scheme, with a view to letting it out all Spring and Summer with them. My partner left suddenly in the November but as I'd put most of the funds in from the sale of my house, i was left with the financial burden. I was devastated. I asked them if they would buy back as we had spent only 2 weeks in it up to that point and it was brand new. I was told they would only offer me £170,000 back and that would only be viable if they sold it for £247,695 as they would have to include their site fees. Whenever the general manager saw me around site he'd put his head down and ignore me, whereas before he could not have been more helpful or attentive, adding to my distress.

I lived there throughout winter as i didn't know what to do next and if I am honest, I was in shock at this point. I contacted various solicitors, financial ombudsman, citizens advice and was told that Lovat Parks are not financially regulated so they couldn't help. Iovat Parks advised me that they were planning to add another 90 new lodges on its small park the following Spring and i would be in competition with them if i sold so I kept lowering my price. I was not allowed to put a for sale board up outside or in my lodge even though they had sale boards in and outside theirs. One owner had her board physically removed. I decided to let it out Spring and Summer while trying to sell it myself but was then told i couldnt sell and let it out at the same time, even though they had agreed i could as they knew by now i was drowning financially as i had written pleading letters to the owner to help me by at least giving md a fairer price of £220,000. He refused as he said they needed the money to expand the park. I eventually became so mentally ill and desperate that i sold it back for the £170,000 last March as rising pitch fees, utilities and maintenance fees... them charging me £26 to restick a £3 door hook that I'd put up myself as it wasn't covered under £500 breakages insurance I paid. I felt i was being bullied and backed into a corner and i couldn't take any more. I was so scared and ill at this point. To insult me further, they would only pay it in 3 instalments in March, June, September while they rented my lodge out and took the income! I really don't understand how this industry is getting away with ruining peoples lives. The owner is an ex london banker, there was my red flag. To jump ship from banking world to this...need i say more? So much money to lose...I'm devastated and so angry at myself but I realise now that I am one of so many.

Please 🙏 expose these companies as it is something you never get over and nothing is set up to help or protect us. 

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How did it impact you financially?

Crippled me, spent all my adult life building up equity and lost in within weeks

How did it impact you emotionally?

Mentally ill

Where do things stand today?

Relieved it is done but will forever be shocked and devastated.