What’s the Deal With Living in Lodges Permanently?

There are a handful of questions we’re commonly asked at Explore Lodges, and this is one that a lot of people are keen to know the answer to.

We understand why – especially when swapping a traditional house for lodge living is so appealing – and we’re not surprised that so many people find themselves online searching for lodges to live in permanently, expecting a simple yes or no.

The reality is a little more nuanced, especially when most lodges for sale are located on holiday parks rather than residential parks.

So, the time has come for us to clear things up, without jargon, confusion or vague answers.

Why is Everyone Searching for Residential Lodges to Live In?

Often, when people are searching for lodges they can live in permanently, they’re not talking about legal definitions or paperwork.

More often than not, they’re really asking:

Can I use the lodge a lot?
Can I stay in the lodge comfortably all year round?
Will the lodge feel like a proper home, not just a holiday let?

That makes complete sense.

Modern lodges are warm, spacious and beautifully designed, which is very different from the old idea of a basic static caravan.

But, things get confusing when it comes to holiday parks vs. residential parks.

Residential parks are specifically licensed for full-time living.

If your lodge is on a residential park, you can usually live there as your main home, register the address and you’ll need to pay council tax.

However, residential parks are very rare, and availability is extremely limited.

This is why most lodges are on holiday parks, which is actually what the majority of buyers are looking for.

Holiday Parks – Where You’ll Find Most Luxury Lodges

You’ll find that most lodges at Explore Lodges are on holiday parks.

These parks are:

Licensed for holiday and leisure use
Not legally classed as permanent residential addresses
Open for long seasons, with most only closing for a few weeks a year

So while you can enjoy your lodge regularly, it can’t usually be used as your official, full-time residence.

Can a Holiday Lodge Still Feel Like Living There Long Term?

For many people, the answer is a big yes.

People choose holiday lodges for:

Semi-retirement or retirement
Spending months at a time away from their main home
A relaxed lifestyle base rather than a full-time address

Modern holiday lodges are built to incredibly high standards, with:

Full insulation and central heating
Proper kitchens and bathrooms
Plenty of space

They might not be legally permanent homes, but they certainly don’t feel temporary.

Why Aren’t There More Residential Lodges?

With luxury lodges having so much to offer, you might be wondering why there aren’t more lodges that you can live in permanently.

To put it simply, it comes down to planning and licensing.

Local authorities tightly control residential park permissions, which means new residential parks are rarely approved, existing ones have very limited plots, and demand massively outweighs supply.

That’s why most buyers who start out looking for lodges to live in on a permanent basis usually end up choosing a holiday lodge that suits their lifestyle instead.