Thinking about buying a house at Ocean Lakes is a family‑friendly holiday park on England’s south coast that offers beachfront chalets, self‑catering houses and plenty of on‑site activities? You’re not the only one. The idea of a permanent or part‑time home in a resort‑style setting sounds dreamy, but the budget side can be confusing. Below you’ll find a step‑by‑step walk‑through of every cost you’ll encounter, from the headline purchase price to the tiny‑print fees that pop up later.
Ocean Lakes runs a lease‑hold model for most of its houses. That means you purchase the structure and the right to occupy the land for a set number of years (usually 99). The land itself remains owned by the park’s management, and you pay an annual ground rent on top of other service charges. The model is similar to many holiday‑park properties across the UK, but the exact terms can vary, so reading the lease carefully is a must.
Prices for homes at Ocean Lakes range widely because the park offers several layouts: one‑bedroom beach bungalows, two‑bedroom family cabins and larger three‑bedroom residences. In 2025, typical asking prices are:
These figures include the structure and the lease‑hold rights, but they exclude any optional upgrades, deposits for ground rent, or legal fees.
Most buyers need a mortgage. Holiday‑home lenders typically require a larger deposit (often 25‑30% of the purchase price) compared with a primary‑residence loan. Interest rates for holiday‑home mortgages in the UK sit around 5.5%-6.5% for a 25‑year term as of October 2025. Using a three‑bedroom house at £210,000 as an example:
Remember that lenders will also ask for proof of income, a good credit rating and sometimes a higher stamp duty rate for second homes.
Owning a property at Ocean Lakes is more than just the mortgage. Below is a quick look at the recurring expenses you’ll face each year.
Item | Estimated Annual Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|
Ground rent (lease‑hold) | £250 | Fixed for the first 10 years, then reviewed |
Service/maintenance fee | £800 - £1,200 | Covers landscaping, communal areas, waste collection |
Home insurance | £350 - £500 | Buildings plus contents, often required by lenders |
Council tax (Band C) | £1,350 | Depends on local authority rates, may be reduced for second homes in some areas |
Utilities (electricity, gas, water) | £900 - £1,200 | Seasonal usage can push bills higher in winter |
Periodic major works reserve | £150 | Saved for large‑scale park upgrades |
Adding everything up, a typical family house might cost between £3,800 and £5,300 per year, not counting any mortgage repayments.
These costs don’t show up on a monthly statement, but they can bite into your budget.
One way to offset the bills is to rent the house through the park’s own holiday‑let service. In 2025, the average nightly rate for a three‑bedroom Ocean Lakes house sits at £120‑£150 during peak summer weeks and £70‑£90 in shoulder months. A conservative calendar (30 nights booked per year) could bring in £3,600‑£4,500.
After deducting a 13% agency fee, cleaning costs and a small reserve for repairs, you might net around £2,800 annually - enough to cover a chunk of the service fee or mortgage interest.
If you’re after a seaside retreat that doubles as a potential income source, the Ocean Lakes house cost can be manageable with the right financing and budgeting plan. The biggest expense is the purchase price, but recurring fees - ground rent, service charge, insurance and utilities - add up quickly. By mapping out each line item, you’ll know exactly where your money goes and can decide whether the lifestyle payoff outweighs the financial commitment.
Most homes are sold on a 99‑year lease‑hold, with the option to extend if the park decides to offer renewals after the initial term.
Yes. Even though the property is a second home, it falls under the same council‑tax bands as any residential dwelling. Rates vary by local authority.
The park allows sub‑letting through its own holiday‑let service. You’ll need to sign a rental agreement and pay a management fee (around 12‑15% of the rental income).
Year‑round utilities (electricity, gas and water) usually run between £900 and £1,200, depending on winter heating use and summer air‑conditioning.
Ground rent is fixed for the first ten years and then reviewed. Some owners negotiate a modest reduction if they commit to a 99‑year lease from the start.