Holiday Complexes
Welcome
Over the past few years, we have spoken to more people than ever who are rethinking how and where they want to live and work. For many, holiday complexes offer a rare opportunity to combine a rewarding lifestyle with a sustainable income, and the South West continues to sit at the heart of that aspiration.
In this edition, we share the stories of those who have already made the move, embracing a change of pace and discovering a better balance between home, work, and wellbeing. Alongside these personal experiences, our trusted specialists offer practical insight into planning, finance, and the realities of owning and operating a holiday business.
For those considering the sale of a holiday complex, preparation and specialist advice are key. Understanding planning consents, compliance, income potential, and buyer expectations can make a significant difference to both value and saleability. Several features within this magazine are designed to help owners think ahead and approach a sale with confidence.
Guest expectations continue to evolve, with flexibility, sustainability, and quality now firmly at the forefront. Features such as pet-friendly accommodation, EV charging, and adaptable planning use are increasingly influencing both buyer decisions and long-term value.
At Stags, our dedicated Holiday Complexes team works closely with buyers and sellers at every stage of their journey, whether they are exploring future options or are ready to take the next step. We hope this magazine provides inspiration, clarity, and reassurance as you consider what your next chapter might look like.
Alexandra Hayward BA (Hons) Head of Holiday Complexes
A Cornish escape with heart and history
Simon and Heather King swapped London life for a Cornish farmhouse with holiday lets, finding a slower, more fulfilling lifestyle by the sea.
In 2021, Simon and Heather King swapped their four-bedroom, semi-detached house in London for a 250-year-old stone Cornish farmhouse, complete with four popular holiday lets just a mile from Porthallow Beach. After 43 years of working in the film and television industry, Simon was in search of a lifestyle shift, and that is exactly what Tregarne Farm was about to offer. “I’d been coming down to the area since I was 19; my childhood best friend moved here to learn to be a boat builder and each time I visited him, the pull of the West Country grew stronger. I was working for the BBC before I went freelance and my work continued to stem from London so it just didn’t seem possible.”
However, after a family trip to Cornwall during Covid, the time suddenly felt right and the couple started house hunting. “It was on the market for three days - we looked at it and fell in love; it reminded us of Provence with the date palm against the ancient stone, it just felt perfect. It was going to be a huge change however and we did have a wobble, but thanks to a gentle push from our impassioned daughter, Emma, who had recently moved from Byron Bay to Newquay, I offered what I was getting for my house - significantly more than the asking price. A tense overnight wait ensued, but when the news came in the next morning, to say we were jumping up and down was an understatement and it still makes me emotional to recall today.”
After 11 weeks of sofa surfing, Simon and Heather finally got the keys to Tregarne Farm. Set around a central pond, the picturesque buildings offer four onebedroom holiday lets, one of which, The Withy, is attached to the main farmhouse. Two single-storey barn conversions provide charming accommodation, with a delicate blend of original features and modern
comforts, while Hope’s Cabin, which hadn’t yet been slept in when the couple viewed the property, is a larch clad contemporary hideaway complete with free-standing copper bath, sun deck and heated outdoor shower.
Already a thriving holiday let business, operating on Airbnb, the properties themselves required very minimal adjustments. “It had been reasonably well looked after and the furniture was included in the sale. I’ve upgraded each unit with Smart TVs which makes life easier for our guests and us!”
Our lives are richer now than they’ve ever been; before I was selling my time to someone else just to keep the roof over our heads, but now the roof over our heads works for us and we get to meet lots of interesting people along the way.
- Simon King
What Simon lacked in hospitality experience, he more than made up for in charisma and communication skills, “I’m a people person; I like to talk and I love learning about people. You quickly know when to stand back and give someone space, but mostly our guests enjoy the personal input - I’m often invited in for drinks! The most rewarding part for me is seeing the stress and tension in our guests’ faces drain away when they arrive as they relax into their new surroundings.”
As each unit sleeps only two, Tregarne appeals to year-round holidaymakers in search of romantic getaways, rather than families confined to school holidays. Though this provides them with significantly more bookings and no low season, it also means tackling shorter bookings and more changeovers, “Heather works in London every other week and we do all the changeovers in house; unless you have a fixed turn around day it’s impossible to find cleaners ad hoc. This does mean that we have to be on top of the bookings and block out dates if we are already facing two changeovers on one day, as three would be impossible in the check-out-check-in window.”
The couple have also learnt to adapt their policies to appeal to a wider market by allowing dogs in one of the properties and providing travel cots and highchairs to accommodate young families.
As for the shift in lifestyle from the bustling capital to the ‘sleepy’ South West, the reality has been quite unexpected, “I swim in the sea 365 days a year, I sail, I practice yoga in the village hall looking out to sea, I enjoy classical music at Prussia cove and salsa classes! I thought I’d lose the culture and diversity of the capital when I moved, but it’s all here and after 43 years of long hours spent away from the family, this is my reward.”
Simon’s advice for anyone looking to do the same? “Feel the fear and do it anyway! Our lives are richer now than they’ve ever been; before I was selling my time to someone else just to keep the roof over our heads, but now the roof over our heads works for us and we get to meet lots of interesting people along the way.”
cornishcoastalhideaways.co.uk
Living the dream
7 key questions to ask
Everyone dreams about a complete lifestyle change at some stage in their lives and although the pandemic was a few years ago the legacy remains that there is more opportunity to work anywhere, enabling this dream to become a reality. Alexandra Hayward BA (Hons), Associate & Head of Holiday Complexes offers her advice.
Who can buy a holiday complex?
1
A wide variety of people buy and run holiday complexes, such as independent buyers, couples and families, as well as extended families by including parents, siblings or even groups of friends. Multigenerational living is a big attraction for potential buyers who are looking for affordability, childcare and quality of life.
Who is making the move, such as grandparents or partners, will affect how many residential properties your holiday complex will need to have. There may be a range of possible homes on the property, the dwellings may already exist, or there may be the potential to build or convert an existing building.
Why do you want to buy a holiday business?
Work/life balance is a popular option. Lifestyle may be the main driver for you, or you may have experience in a similar business and want to be your own boss. Another common reason is the desire for something to keep you occupied if you are not yet ready to fully retire.
When choosing your holiday business, you will need to decide what level of involvement you aim to have in the day to day running of the business or whether you will choose to outsource certain services such as marketing, housekeeping, gardening and the cost implications of doing this.
3.
What type of holiday business is suitable?
Stags have experience dealing with a wide range of holiday businesses from traditional farmhouses with holiday cottages, to campsites, caravan parks and glamping sites. Some holiday complexes have facilities to host events, such as weddings or retreat packages.
For some buyers, their own home is the key factor and the holiday business needs only be a few cottages for additional income to cover any running costs. For others, income is the focus, with existing turnover and further potential being the driving factors.
As well as the holiday complex itself, individual lifestyle desires are important to consider. Whether you require lots of land such as equestrian facilities, lakes, or woodland, or you want easy access to beaches, these desires will affect the location and what type of property you need.
For guests at the holiday complex, proximity to major transport routes and tourist attractions might be a factor.
Where do you want to live?
Being the market leader, Stags has worked with holiday complexes in all parts of the beautiful South West. Location will be one of your major considerations, and is one factor you cannot easily change, so make sure it meets all your needs.
If you don’t have a particular area in mind, don’t forget to consider how close you will be to these important places:
• Transport routes
• Amenities
• National Parks
• Hospitals
• Urban hubs or rural peace and quiet
When do you want to move?
Life-changing moves are smoothest when done at the right time. Ensuring conditions are good in your local property market when putting your own property up for sale will be important. Also, for those that have children, moving before they start school or when a change to the next school is planned, may be the easiest.
The team at Stags Holiday Complexes work with buyers and sellers who are ready to move right now, as well as to those who are carrying out initial research with a view to buying or selling their holiday business in two- or three-years’ time.
It is never too early to start making enquiries and discussing your situation with us, we are happy to help.
How much does a holiday complex cost?
The initial cost depends on many factors, such as the size, amount of accommodation, land, location, condition, etc. The Stags Holiday Complex team are knowledgeable and skilled in dealing with a wide variety of holiday complex sizes and types, and are experienced in finding the ideal lifestyle home for a buyer’s requirements and budgets.
As well as the guide price, there are some other expenses that should be factored in:
• Stamp Duty Land Tax
• Legal costs – to save time and money in the long run, instruct a solicitor who has dealt with the conveyancing of holiday businesses before
• Survey costs and removal/relocation costs
How are you going to make this move happen?
If you need to sell a property first, having an accurate estimate on the market value will likely be key in knowing what your price range is for buying. If there are multiple properties to sell first, this is likely to take longer and tying all the sales together for the purchase will need to be considered. It is common for buyers to need a short/medium term rental while waiting for chains to complete.
If you need a loan to purchase your holiday business, do you have a lender in place? If not, Stags can help with recommendations. A property with holiday accommodation will generally be considered a commercial property so you will need to speak to someone about a commercial mortgage and ideally choose a company specialising in commercial finance. It is also important you choose a solicitor that is well versed in these types of transactions.
Twenty years in Self-Catering: Lessons, opportunities and the future of a thriving sector
From converting a run-down Devon farm into a successful holiday cottage complex to navigating changing guest expectations, regulation and market conditions, this article reflects on two decades in the self-catering sector.
My wife Lorna and I bought a run-down farm in East Devon in 2003, planning to convert the outbuildings into luxury eco self-catering accommodation. This is what is generally termed a holiday cottage complex. Two years later we opened to our first paying guests and have not looked back. It’s a great sector and the wider selfcatering community is very supportive and welcoming.
There have, of course’ been ups and downs, the latter most notably being having to close the business during Covid, but the positives still outweigh the negatives. In times of uncertainty and tightening of budgets, domestic self-catering holidays fare well due to the great value and diversity they offer guests. In boom times guests take multiple holidays, including several in the UK.
Visitor wise, South West England is the most popular destination outside London, and has good numbers of international guests, mostly from Northern Europe. They stay longer and spend more. Our local visitor economies boast great pubs, restaurants, visitor attractions and the fabulous local food and drink that is a huge draw to the region.
The demand from guests for quality selfcatering is increasing year on year, where they can enjoy private space and private time with families and friends.
Guest requirements are changing, and over the last five years we have seen substantial increase in demand for holiday lets that take
dogs and have EV charging facilities.
Guests with both are prepared to pay to bring their dogs to stay, (have you seen kennel charges lately?) so consider how best to make dogs welcome, not just accepted. Having a facility to recharge their electric vehicle onsite is a very welcome benefit and there are many options on how to do this, and make a margin on the electrical usage. We have made both key features of our business to great effect.
What about the guests themselves? Over the twenty years we have been welcoming families, friends and businesses to our properties we have managed to generate very high levels of repeat guests and recommendations, making keeping the occupancy high much easier. Guests really appreciate good personal service and good quality furnishings and fittings; they are paying with hard earned money after all. Complaints are few and far between if care and attention to detail are attended to throughout the booking, pre-arrival and stay.
What else is changing for our sector? The tax and regulatory landscapes have changed significantly over the last twenty years. On the tax changes side, they can be mitigated by good financial advice from the outset. On the regulatory side this mainly covers health and safety; the properties that you are thinking about buying are not residential properties, they are businesses under the law and stricter rules apply, on fire regulations, swimming pools, hot tubs and more.
With help these can be navigated and most will already have these measures in place. Entering this sector was the best thing that we have done, we brought our children up around the business, make a good living from the business and made many fabulous friends and colleagues whilst welcoming the most diverse and interesting guests imaginable.
When we found that there wasn’t a Trade Association for the sector to support and advise owners, whilst at the same time making sure our voice is heard in Westminster, we set up The Professional Association of Self Caterers UK (PASC UK). PASC UK works closely with Stags Holiday Complex team and they are our go-to source for Members looking to buy and sell their self-catering businesses in the South West.
We look forward to welcoming you to this great business sector.
Alistair and Lorna Handyside own Higher Wiscombe Holiday Cottages in East Devon. www.higherwiscombe.com
Alistair established PASC UK in 2017 and it is now the largest self-catering sector association in the UK. www.pascuk.co.uk
Alistair Handyside
Executive Chair for The Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK
Discover your dream home and lifestyle opportunity
Make this the year that you transform your work/life balance by moving to a beautiful property that generates a healthy income. Here is a small selection of the holiday complex properties available with Stags
1. St. Keyne, Liskeard, Cornwall Guide £1,750,000
Set in 22.17 acres of peaceful Cornish countryside, Lee Barton Farm offers a fivebedroom farmhouse and six holiday cottages in a beautifully private setting. Just three miles from Liskeard and close to the South Cornwall coast, it’s an ideal blend of rural charm, lifestyle appeal, and holiday let potential. EPC: F. Council Tax: D. Freehold.
3. Near Minehead, Somerset Guide £1,295,000
An attractive, period, former farmhouse together with holiday cottage, annexe and B&B guest suites, outbuildings and land, situated in a most attractive location on the northern edge of Exmoor National Park and just seven miles from the West Somerset coast. EPC E. Council Tax G. Freehold.
4. Notton, Dorset Guide £1,400,000 1 4
A rare opportunity to acquire a well-presented, country house which benefits from complete privacy, together with a thriving holiday letting business in the heart of rural Dorset. Notton Hill combines timeless character, modern comfort, and proven income potential - all in a spectacular elevated setting close to the coast and county town. EPC: B. Council Tax: F. Freehold.
6.
£1,375,000
Situated in a peaceful, rural setting about four miles inland from the unspoilt South Cornish Coast, this established holiday cottage complex comprises a handsome, Grade II Listed farmhouse and four delightful holiday cottages set within 3.5 acres. The cottages have been tastefully updated to offer high-quality guest accommodation. EPC: E. Council Tax: F. Freehold.
2. Beckington, Bath, Somerset Guide
£2,250,000
A rare opportunity to acquire a versatile family home combined with a successful holiday let business in a prime South West location. Offering extensive accommodation, established income potential, 4 cottages & 3 cedar lodges and beautiful grounds spanning 3.72 acres, this property seamlessly blends residential comfort with commercial viability. EPC: E. Council Tax: G. Freehold.
A beautiful, period Hamstone house and ancient watermill, together with eight selfcatering holiday units, situated on the edge of this most attractive Somerset village. The property offers a rare combination of tranquil village lifestyle with established and profitable holiday letting income. EPC: F. Council Tax: E. Freehold.
Pelynt, Cornwall Guide
5. Norton Sub Hamdon, Somerset Guide £2,000,000
A view of Devon’s holiday letting industry
Emma Hallam, New Property Consultant at Helpful Holidays, shares some insights on booking patterns and emerging industry trends.
As one of the leading holiday letting agencies in the South West, the team at Devon based Helpful Holidays are proud to offer advice at every stage of your journey; from the initial viewing of a potential holiday home, to the arrival of your first guest… and beyond! Here, Emma Hallam, New Property Consultant, shares some insights on booking patterns and emerging industry trends.
“For those already in the process of buying a holiday home, or considering purchasing with a view to holiday letting, it is important to know the demand for self-catering in this region remains exceptionally robust. For owners willing to be flexible, and to take advice from an agency such as ourselves, a holiday home can be a very lucrative investment.
In 2025, we enjoyed an average occupancy of over 80% throughout the summer. Overall, bookings per property across Devon increased by 3% and revenue per property remained stable compared to 2024. This was primarily driven by an increase in customers making multiple short break bookings.
This leads us to discuss the needs of modern-day customers, and their changing buying behaviours. Last year 40% of our bookings in Devon were for short breaks of three, four or five nights, which is a rise from 32% in 2024. Clearly, the trend for regular mini breaks is continuing to grow. Whilst for owners, multiple short breaks may mean more changeovers and laundry costs, there are benefits. Two short breaks in place of one week long booking returns on average
148% of the weekly rental; our average short break is currently taken at 74% of the weekly rental price!
Also, last minute bookings are now the rule, rather than the exception. Owners willing and able to accept bookings up to the day of arrival will reap the rewards. Last year, 34% of our bookings in Devon were made within four weeks of the holiday start date. In several months, 2% of all our bookings were made between 4pm the day before arrival and 12 noon on the day of the holiday start! For owners who struggle to facilitate these types of changeovers, why not enlist the help of an agency with a Managed Services team, like Helpful Holidays, who can introduce you to a caretaker to handle this on your behalf.
For those already in the process of buying a holiday home, or considering purchasing with a view to holiday letting, it is important to know the demand for self-catering in this region remains exceptionally robust
- Emma Hallam
Customers are increasingly choosing to holiday with their pets - in 2025, 27% of bookings included a dog. Properties accepting pets earn on average 8% more bookings and 16% more revenue per year;
welcoming dogs at your home could be a great way to boost appeal.
In terms of features customers are most interested in at properties, many favour cottages with hot tubs - and adding this feature could earn you up to 40% more revenue annually. An outdoor space, good wifi, sea views, parking, a beachside / rural location and sustainable features all rank highly in the ‘most searched for’ list. If your property has any or all of these features, it will facilitate more bookings.
Of course, employing the skills of a reputable agency will also enable you to fully maximise your property’s income and booking potential. For instance, at Helpful Holidays we have over 40 years’ experience in taking care of every aspect of the letting process for our owners. From bookings and admin, to property management and maintenance, our local team can offer a service package to suit your needs. This combined with the £35 million marketing budget of our parent company Sykes Cottages, means you can rest assured your property is being cared for superbly, whilst also getting a calendar full of bookings.”
If you would be interested in a free, noobligation income appraisal for your holiday let, contact the Helpful Holidays New Property team today on newowners@ helpfulholidays.co.uk or call 01647 401615.
Emma Hallam Helpful Holidays
As part of the multi British Travel Award-winning agency Sykes Holiday Cottages, we bring decades of holiday letting expertise, to help you make the most of your property.
Our seven trusted brands cover the stunning counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, offering local knowledge with a personal touch:
· Cornwall: Carbis Bay Holidays (Carbis Bay), Cornish Cottage Holidays (Redruth), and John Bray Cornish Holidays (Rock and Port Isaac).
· Devon, Dorset and Somerset: Coast & Country Cottages (Salcombe and Dartmouth), Helpful Holidays (Devon), Lyme Bay Holidays (Lyme Regis), and Dream Cottages (Weymouth).
With teams based in your community, we combine local insight with national marketing reach to deliver impressive returns on your holiday home. From advice on buying a property to a free, no-obligation income projection, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Office in Weymouth dream-cottages.co.uk/letyourcottage newowners@dream-cottages.co.uk
in Rock & Port Isaac johnbraycornishholidays.co.uk/letyourcottage newowners@johnbraycornishholidays.co.uk
Office in Lyme Regis lymebayholidays.co.uk/letyourcottage newowners@lymebayholidays.co.uk
Office in Carbis Bay carbisbayholidays.co.uk/letyourcottage newowners@carbisbayholidays.co.uk
Devon
newowners@helpfulholidays.co.uk
Office in Redruth cornishcottageholidays.co.uk/letyourcottage newowners@cornishcottageholidays.co.uk
Offices in Salcombe & Dartmouth coastandcountry.co.uk/letyourcottage newowners@coastandcountry.co.uk
Sold with Stags
Our dedicated department combine an expert understanding of the market with a highly bespoke service to guide you through every step of the process of selling your holiday complex or leisure business. Our recent sales highlights include these wonderful properties.
This attractive holiday complex is set within a beautifully secluded location, surrounded by its own land, with stunning views over the unspoilt Exmoor valley beyond. The property sold off of a guide of £1,650,000, providing the buyers a great opportunity for an established, successful holiday letting and wedding business with further potential to diversify into other events/retreat based bookings.
A cluster of traditional character properties, set on the banks of the River Camel amidst seven acres of idyllic gardens and grounds. In more recent years, three of the traditional barns were sensitively converted into holiday cottages and now form a manageable ‘Lifestyle Business’. Alongside the cottages, there is a substantial main residence configured for multi-generational living, an extensive range of ancillary outbuildings, enchanting riverside gardens, paddocks and woodland. The property was offered to the market at a guide of £1,750,000.
Highly attractive non-listed, early Victorian, former rectory with an established letting business comprising, four award winning holiday cottages, beautifully presented and maintained, with a good separation from the main house. Sold off of the guide of £1,500,000, the property provides an excellent home and income opportunity together with gardens and paddock, offering the full lifestyle package for potential growers and livestock keepers.
1. Exmoor, Somerset
4. Near Holsworthy, Cornwall
3. Near Bodmin, Cornwall
2. Blandford Forum, Dorset
A very successful and established holiday letting business, in a charming country location, with beautifully presented accommodation and further growth potential. The property provided excellent onsite facilities including an indoor splash pool, recreation room, laundry and gym/store.
Sold off of a guide of £1,150,000.
6. Broadhempston, South Devon
Situated in some of the most appealing South Hams countryside, this attractive house and income lifestyle property sold off of a guide of £2,250,000. The property provided a beautiful and spacious grade II listed period house and holiday letting complex with indoor swimming pool and land extending to just over 16.76 acres in all.
5. Combe Martin, North Devon 2
A secluded, multi award winning holiday business with outstanding countryside views to the sea, comprising five luxury safari lodges and a two-bedroom holiday cottage. The wonderful location and surroundings allow a connection with the unspoilt landscape for guests and owners alike. The property was offered to the market at a guide of £2,000,000.
7. Bude, Cornwall
Situated in a hamlet close to the North Cornwall coast, this fantastic holiday complex offered a five bedroom period farmhouse and established income from six self-catering cottages, with potential for growth, subject to obtaining the relevant consents. The property provided an excellent opportunity to acquire a lifestyle business in a lovely area and sold off of a guide of £1,495,000.
Making the planning system work for you
Alister Smith, Head of Stags Planning and Design department, outlines the key planning considerations when buying or selling a holiday complex.
Preparing to buy or sell a holiday complex or another similar holiday business is often a little more complex than simpler property transactions. Whichever side of a transaction you are on, planning matters can often be a potential concern and, for many, the planning system can appear very opaque. However, with a few simple considerations and the right advice there are often solutions to problems and this article sets out some key considerations which may help demystify many common queries.
What is development?
In the first instance it is important to note that ‘development’ needs planning permission. Building operations and material changes of use of land and buildings are common forms of development. Physical works within a building do not generally require planning consent, though if the property is listed then Listed Building Consent would be required.
A number of types of development can be covered by permitted development rights (PD), which are in effect blanket planning permission to reduce the need for express consent for simpler projects. It is always worth seeing if PD rights cover matters as a starting point, especially for simpler works.
When is an express consent needed and how does a council make a planning decision?
Assuming that PD does not cover the development in question then an express consent is needed and the starting point for a decision is the local plan for the area along with any other material considerations, which can include a wide range of factors but typically includes aspects such as; ecological impacts, highways safety, etc. One useful tip for those with diverse property
such as many holiday accommodation properties is that some of the uses onsite may be ancillary to the existing main use. Therefore, there are cases where a material change of use is not engaged even if part of a site is repurposed. As an example, this might be where an existing games room is repurposed to an onsite laundry room for use by guests. The use would remain ancillary and, if no physical works are needed or no condition exists limiting use, then typically consent would not be needed.
The planning system has evolved over time especially with regard to planning policy and therefore developments that were once considered not acceptable might now be acceptable and it can be worth re-appraising matters.
- Alister Smith
Options for planning consent
There are occasions where development requires planning consent but it has not been sought. In such cases, after a period of 10 years, if action has not been taken then immunity from enforcement action exists by virtue of the passing of time. It is worth noting that for some development types, started before the 25th April 2024, a 4-year immunity period may apply instead. In cases where an express consent does not exist but should have been obtained then, provided the development is now
immune, a Certificate of Lawfulness can be obtained to demonstrate that no further consent is required. Such certificates can be a useful tool for both buyers and sellers to give clarity over whether any risks of enforcement action exist.
Other planning system aspects to consider for your holiday complex
The planning system has evolved over time especially with regard to planning policy and therefore developments that were once considered not acceptable might now be acceptable and it can be worth reappraising matters. A good example of this is where barn conversions were once only allowed provided they were restricted to holiday use alone, but now an unrestricted use would be permitted. This has opened the door to removing historic restrictions in some cases. Even if there is no desire to cease holiday use, having increased flexibility is an attractive prospect in many cases.
There will of course be cases where there is no simple solution and taking the right advice is key in such cases.
Stags have a dedicated Planning and Design team who can collaborate with our Holiday Complex department, in order to assist you with all planning matters. For more information, contact one of our knowledgeable members of staff on 01392 439046 or planning@stags.co.uk
Alister Smith PGDip MRICS Head of Planning and Design
Borrowing in the leisure sector
Holiday complex mortgage expert Philip Meek outlines his key considerations for anyone thinking of financing their tourism property.
It is a commonly held misconception that a property comprising of a residence and several holiday letting units such as cottages and annexes would qualify for a residential mortgage.
However, for the Financial Regulator (and therefore lenders) in most cases such borrowing is deemed commercial and so a commercial mortgage is required. The appetite of lenders in this sector varies enormously. Many state that they will lend in this sector, but the reality is few offer attractive or, indeed, viable loan terms. Before you present a holiday complex application to a lender there are many points to consider. A well-prepared proposal will include a robust business plan demonstrating an understanding of the sector, realistic financial projections and your CV evidencing a relevant skill set. An experienced broker will help in preparing this for you ensuring that an application has the best chance of success.
A strong proposal is not only more likely to secure funds but also improve the interest rate and terms offered. The relationships we have built with lenders over the years, place Philip Meek Commercial in a position where we are often able to achieve better terms than a client would approaching a lender directly. Lenders recognise
our understanding of the market, their requirements and the work carried out in presenting a fully packaged application for consideration. Many lenders in this sector
The relationships we have built with lenders over the years, place Philip Meek Commercial in a position where we are often able to achieve better terms than a client would approaching a lender directly.
- Philip Meek
complete manual underwriting, a person makes the lending decision rather than software. This can be to your advantage, I recently obtained funding for a client who had yet to sell their main residence, they did not want to lose their dream property to another buyer. I approached the lender with a proposal, and they agreed to fund 100% of the purchase, with the additional security of taking a legal charge over the client’s main
residence until sold. This allowed our clients to buy their holiday complex immediately. Their contingency if the sale was slow was to rent out their previous property. This is a typical example of how manual decisionmaking can help in unusual circumstances.
My company, Philip Meek Commercial, has been established for over 25 years and has a team with a wealth of diverse experience and established relationships with lenders specialising in the holiday let and holiday complex sector. We have access to lenders who will consider applications that many others will not, including multiple holiday letting units on one title, properties across split titles, lending to limited companies and more. No matter what stage you are at, you should consider speaking with a specialist mortgage broker to ensure you can raise and afford the necessary finance. Your broker will not only source funding for you but can also negotiate the very best terms available.
For more information visit www.philipmeek.co.uk
Philip Meek
Philip Meek Mortgages
Six questions to consider before selling your holiday business
Planning ahead is key to achieving a smooth sale. Having clear, well-organised information ready for solicitors, lenders, and buyers helps avoid delays and reduces the risk of a transaction falling through. Involving your solicitor, accountant, and agent early can highlight any issues before marketing begins.
Six questions when preparing to sell your holiday complex:
1. Is your business in the best possible health?
Are your accounts strong and well presented? Ideally, have up to five years’ accounts available. A well-optimised website and active online social media presence also help build buyer confidence.
2. Have you spoken to your accountant?
Discuss your plans and understand any tax or VAT implications early, particularly if there are unusual elements to the business.
3. Is the property title clear?
Check the title is registered and free from unresolved boundary issues, access problems, or rights of way that could concern buyers.
4. Are all compliance documents in place?
Ensure you have up-to-date certificates and records, such as gas and electrical safety, boiler servicing, water testing, and any relevant guarantees.
5. Do you have private drainage or water supplies?
Confirm systems comply with current regulations and that recent test certificates and licences (where required) are in place.
6. Are planning consents and licences correct?
Review that all buildings are used in line with their planning permissions and that any necessary consents or certificates are secured. Stags Planning Department can assist in advising and handling regulation if required.
If you’re considering selling your holiday business, early preparation can add value, reduce stress, and improve saleability.
01392 680058 | holidaycomplexes@stags.co.uk
Why sell your Holiday Complex property through Stags?
Stags Holiday Complexes department will combine an expert understanding of the market with a highly bespoke service to guide you through every step of the process. From holiday homes and homes with businesses attached, to campsites and caravan parks, we’ve got the West Country covered.
For over 150 years, Stags has been synonymous with assisting people at crucial times in their lives with their most important assets.
The only South West agent with a specialist holiday complex department and website search facility.
Confidential, low key/offline marketing option to our extensive database of prequalified buyers.
Targeted digital marketing and social media campaigns, as well as advertising and editorial in regional and national press.
The London Office ensures all our properties can be seen by buyers in the capital and home counties.
A strong network of locations across the West Country.
Specialist advice
Did you know we also provide the following services?
Development Land
Lettings
Planning & Architectural Services
Property & Estate Management
Valuations
Commercial Management
Machinery & Equipment Auctions
Our Locations
Barnstaple 01271 322833 barnstaple@stags.co.uk
Bideford 01237 425030 bideford@stags.co.uk
Bridport 01308 428000 bridport@stags.co.uk
Dorchester 01305 443443 dorchester@stags.co.uk
Dulverton 01398 323174 dulverton@stags.co.uk
Exeter 01392 255202 exeter@stags.co.uk
Honiton 01404 45885 honiton@stags.co.uk
Kingsbridge 01548 853131 kingsbridge@stags.co.uk
Launceston 01566 774999 launceston@stags.co.uk
Okehampton 01837 659420 okehampton@stags.co.uk
Plymouth 01752 223933 plymouth@stags.co.uk
South Molton 01769 572263 south-molton@stags.co.uk
Taunton 01823 256625 taunton@stags.co.uk
Tavistock 01822 612458 tavistock@stags.co.uk
Tiverton 01884 235705 tiverton@stags.co.uk
Torquay 01803 200160 torquay@stags.co.uk
Totnes 01803 865454 totnes@stags.co.uk
Truro 01872 264488 truro@stags.co.uk
Wadebridge 01208 222333 wadebridge@stags.co.uk
Wellington 01823 662822 wellington@stags.co.uk
West Cornwall 01736 223222 westcornwall@stags.co.uk
Yeovil 01935 475000 yeovil@stags.co.uk
