TOP TIPS FOR CARAVAN STORAGE SITE OWNERS - PART 2

In part one of our Top Tips for Site Owners, we looked at security aspects to consider when setting up a caravan storage site. In part 2 we will look at the administrative elements to think about.

An efficient administration system that complements security aspects will ensure that a site runs smoothly.

Caravan Storage Records
Accurate records should be kept of all plot holders and should be updated as and when necessary. All details provided should, wherever possible, be verified either by driving license or passport.
If possible, ask for evidence of address such as a utility bill.

Insurance Details
The caravan owner’s insurance documents should be requested prior to a storage contract being exchanged. Check that the insurance will be valid for the term of the storage contract, and that it applies to the caravan or motorhome being stored.
Where applicable, make sure that the CRiS reference number on the caravan matches that on the insurance documents.

Damage Description
When a caravan first arrives onto the site it should be examined and any damage noted on a damage description form, which should be signed by the caravan owner and the site owner.
Ideally a check should be made each time the caravan is returned.

Site Fees
Site fees will be influenced by the quality of the site, its geographical location, and the economics of the area. On average, a year’s storage for a single axle caravan will be around £350.00*.
Undercover storage will usually generate a higher fee, and twin axle caravans are usually larger and therefore can also attract a higher fee.

Business Rates
As a business you will be required to pay business rates and the amount will be determined by the rateable value of the property. For more data on business rates check the Valuation Office Agency.

VAT
If the gross income from the site exceeds the current threshold of £82,000 then it is likely that VAT will have to be paid at the standard rate of 20%.

Storage Contract
A written contract is strongly recommended, as in the event of a dispute it can be invaluable.
All contracts must be fair and reasonable in their terms, and meet the requirements of Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulations 1999.
Terms must also be in plain language and if not, the interpretation which favours the consumer will apply. Site owners need to be aware that plot holders may take advantage of a site where there is no written contract.

Public Liability Insurance
Public Liability Insurance is essential when the nature of the business allows people onto the site for a specific purpose.
There will always be the potential for an accident, and therefore insurance should be in place for such eventualities.

For more information, please download our Guide to SecureCaravan Storage. 

*Representative costs based on sample data taken from Bronze, Silver & Gold CaSSOA storage facilities across the UK. Price is based on
average yearly cost for the storage of a single axle caravan. Prices will vary from site to site depending on location and security level awarded.

TOP TIPS FOR CARAVAN STORAGE SITE OWNERS - PART 1

There are so many things to consider when setting up a caravan storage business. Here’s our rundown of the most important elements to bear in mind.

Planning Permission

First things first. You’ll need to make sure you have the necessary planning permission in place. In the majority of cases planning permission for change of use will be required, and this will usually be “B8 - Storage and Distribution” to include outside storage.

Plot Spacing

As a rough guide, each caravan should be given around 30 square metres of space. CaSSOA recommends that the space between each caravan (hitch post to hitch post) is 3.5 metres.

You will need to decide whether you as the site owner will be moving caravans in and out of spaces, or whether you will allow your customers to do this themselves.

You’ll need to consider the following threats:

•          Criminal Damage
•      Theft
•          Fire
•          Flood
•          Falling Trees
•          Storm Damage
•          Vermin

Security

Here are the key areas of security you’ll need to look at:

• Perimeter Protection – to prevent access and secure an area, we recommend that fencing is over 3m in height.

• Access Control should:
• Deny access
• Record access
• Have anti-pass back control that prevents tailgating.
• Activate CCTV (if in use)
• CCTV
• Should you decide to use CCTV, signs should be prominently displayed warning that CCTV is in operation.
• Where personal data is processed, The Data Protection Act 1998 requires that CCTV systems are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
• Security Lighting should: 
• Complement physical and electronic security features.
• Illuminate an intruder
• Illuminate protected premises.
• Operate from dusk to dawn
• Be mounted out of reach of intruders and protected.

Fire Protection

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to caravan storage sites and stipulates that a fire risk assessment be carried out, and any recommendations implemented. The site owner can do this.

In part 2, we’ll look at the administration aspects of setting up a caravan storage business.

For more information, please download our Guide to SecureCaravan Storage. 

Secure Caravan Storage - Our Survey Process

CaSSOA Accreditation – Our stamp of Approval for Secure Caravan Storage 

All our caravan storage sites have been comprehensively surveyed by an independent surveyor to give you peace of mind that your caravan will be stored safely.

We know how important your caravan is to you, so we take the necessary steps to ensure that our sites are upholding our standards and keeping your vehicle as secure as possible.

CaSSOA offers three levels of accreditation for storage site owners; Bronze, Silver and Gold, with awards based on a number of factors including security features and on-site facilities. Accreditation is based on a mandatory survey which is required every 5 years to ensure that standards are being maintained.

Our experienced risk surveyor will visit each site personally to check site security (perimeter fencing, access control, exit/entry system, CCTV, alarms, fire protection) and on-site facilities. Each category will attract points, and the more points received, the higher the award level attained.

Don’t take the risk of storing your caravan at an uncertified site. CaSSOA sites are committed to maintaining secure storage standards and actively working towards our pledge to reduce caravan theft.

Click here to find a CaSSOA accredited storage site near you and have the assurance that the site has been independently assessed and meets the benchmark standards required for secure storage that stands out from the rest.

Why Choose a CaSSOA Caravan Storage Site?

Why choose a CaSSOA accredited site for your caravan?

Excellent levels of security: A CaSSOA site gives you total peace of mind by minimising security risks to your caravan with features like full perimeter fencing, lockable gates, CCTV and monitored entry and exit of the site.

All our members have achieved their CaSSOA accreditation by way of an individual site survey and have been awarded either Gold, Silver or Bronze status dependent upon the security features in place at the site.

We offer 3 levels of accreditation for storage site owners: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Awards are accredited on a points earned basis, with Gold being the highest award that can be achieved. CaSSOA accreditation is based on the assessment of a number of factors. These include site security (perimeter fencing, access control, exit/entry system, CCTV, alarms, fire protection) and on-site facilities.

Accreditation is based on points, and assessed by an independent risk surveyor. Each category will attract points, and the more points received, the higher the award level attained.

The Bronze accreditation is our entry level award. To achieve a bronze award, the site must meet our minimum security requirements, including perimeter protection and lockable gates. Most sites start here and quickly work their way up with the advice and guidance of our independent appointed surveyor.

The Silver accreditation is a step up in security, as well as having the standard security measures in place, a silver accredited site has enhanced security in place such as CCTV and monitored entry and exit of the site.

The Gold accreditation is the highest award which can be achieved, with these sites providing the highest levels of security. Over 50% of our current members have obtained a Gold accreditation.

Insurance premium discounts: Due to our commitment to reducing caravan thefts, many insurance companies will offer a discounted premium for secure CaSSOA storage. CaSSOA’s parent company, AmTrust Europe Limited, will offer you a discount on your caravan insurance premium of up to 20% for storing your caravan at one of our accredited sites.

UK wide coverage: With over 500 members nationwide, we have a wide range of accredited sites to choose from, so you won’t have to travel far to find your nearest site.

You can find CaSSOA registered sites in your local area using our Find a CaSSOA Site page.

Protect your Caravan with CRiS

CRiS (the Central Registration and Identification Scheme) is the National Register for caravan owners in the UK working towards preventing and detecting caravan related crime.

Established in 1992 by the The National Caravan Council, CRiS provides registration documents similar to the DVLA for motor vehicles and maintains information relating to the history of the caravan.

A CRiS check will:

• show if a caravan has ever been written off by an insurance company,
• show if a caravan is subject to any outstanding finance,
• provide details of the current registered keeper, and detail how many owners there have been in the past,
• confirm the make, model and age of a caravan.

All new caravans will be given a unique 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is recorded onto an electronic tag and embedded into the bodywork of the caravan, and etched onto the windows. It will also be recorded in the Touring Caravan Registration Document which is kept by the registered keeper of the caravan.

If you are buying a new caravan, the dealer will register the van and you will receive a CRiS certificate shortly after. If you already own, or are considering buying a caravan which was manufactured prior to 1992 when CRiS was established, and therefore does not have a VIN, you can apply for it to be CRiS registered.

If you are looking to buy a used caravan, the CRiS number is really useful in preventing you from purchasing a stolen caravan, or one which has finance outstanding on it. Simply call CRiS with the number which has been etched onto the windows (or stamped on the chassis), and for a small fee they will make sure that the number matches the caravan make and model on their register. It is also advisable to ask the seller for their CRiS registration documents.
Whilst it is highly recommended that you do carry out a full check, you can decode the CRiS number yourself.

Here’s a quick guide:

Say your CRiS number is SGET000EX9AVA5009: 

• The first two characters represent the country of manufacture. SG = United Kingdom
• Second character is the make of the caravan. E = Elddis
• Third character represents the number of axles. T = twin axel (s=single)
• The next three digits are for optional manufacturers data, like the caravan model.
• The eighth & ninth digits show the make of the caravan. EX = Explorer (known as Elddis)
• The tenth digit is the year of manufacture. 9 = 2009
• The final digits are the caravan’s serial number = AVA5009

Please note that the caravan build seasons runs from 1st September to 31st August. This means that a caravan which was built between 1st September 2010 and 31st August 2011 will have a manufacture year code as B for 2011.

For reference, here is complete list of VIN codes: 

Manufacturer codes:

AB = ABI 

AD = Adria 

AV = Avondale

BE = Bessacarr (later built by Swift so will use the SW code)

BU = Buccaneer (later built by Explorer Group so will have code EX)

BY = Bailey 

CL = Carlight 

CM = Coachman 

CP = Compass (could have EX code as were built by Explorer Group) 

CS = Cosalt (later Abbey’s were built by Swift and so will use SW code) 

CU = Sprite (later Sprite’s were built by Swift and so will use SW code) 

EL = Elddis (may carry the EX code, as Explorer Group re-branded to Elidds)

EX = Explorer Group (now known as Elddis) 

FL = Fleetwood 

LU = Lunar 

SW = Swift Group 

Build year codes:

N = 1992 P = 1993 R = 1994 S = 1995 T = 1996 V = 1997 W = 1998 X = 1999 Y = 2000 

1 = 2001 2 = 2002 3 = 2003 4 = 2004 5 = 2005 6 = 2006 7 = 2007 8 = 2008 9 = 2009 

A = 2010 B = 2011 C = 2012 D = 2013 E = 2014

If you’re struggling to decode your CRiS number, here’s a tool that will automatically do it for you:http://www.caravanvindecoder.com/

For more information about CRiS, visit https://www.cris.co.uk/secure

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How to Choose a Storage Site for your Caravan

As the summer season is now drawing to a close you may want to start thinking about where you are going to store your caravan or motorhome over the winter. Whilst your driveway is an option, a secure, accredited storage site has many benefits. If you are looking to place your caravan or motorhome on a secure storage site, here are a few points you may want to consider before making a decision:

First Impressions

Never commit to a self-storage facility without seeing the premises first. It could be much different to how it has been described over the phone or on the website. You’ll also be able to take note of whether the site’s location is convenient for you, if the staff are friendly, and if security features are as advertised. You may want to visit a few different storage sites before you make your final decision.

Security

Concerns about security is often the biggest worry for storage site users. When you visit a storage facility it would be prudent to look out for and ask about the following:

CCTV – most storage sites will have cameras, but it is important to know whether they are in operation 24 hours a day and if they’re monitored. It is also important that CCTV cover more than just the entrance.

Access – Take a note of how easy is it to gain access to the facility? Some facilities will have electric gates which require a pin code for access, whilst for others you may be given a key. Alternatively, some storage sites have a manned reception or office which will grant you access.

Pricing

The cheapest storage option may not necessarily be the best option. Saving money may come at the expense of other factors like location or security. It is always worthwhile making sure what the cost includes.

Opening Hours

If you think you may need access to your caravan or motorhome outside normal business hours, you will need to ask whether the site opening times meet your needs. Whilst some storage sites offer 24 hour access, others may only operate during business hours and with reduced hours at weekends.

Site Facilities & Services

You may want to consider whether additional site amenities like vehicle cleaning and repair facilities are available. Some sites are able to offer both indoor and outdoor storage facilities, and pitches can vary from concrete and tarmac to hard standing.

Other points to consider:

• Will you be issued with a contract?
• How flexible is it?
• Do you require insurance to store your caravan/motorhome on the site?
  
• What happens in case of emergency?
• Is there a phone number to call?
• Will you be contacted?

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