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Beach Hut Sale and Purchase

Beach huts are not just for summer, they can be enjoyed all year round. They are great for family and friends and can also provide a rental income too.

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In the UK, there are an estimated 20,000 beach huts; 2000 of which are in Bournemouth alone!

Being based in the area, our lawyers have first-hand experience in dealing with Bournemouth beach hut sales and purchases. Thanks to our IT, we can also act on beach hut transactions outside of the area too.

Buying a beach hut

Beach huts are a popular investment, holding their value in the early years of the lease duration. Depending on the area, and the beach hut itself, they can potentially be sold for a huge profit.

On top of this, rent prices are as high as £130 per day in some areas of Dorset such as Mudeford. This is always an option for any potential investor.

If you're looking to purchase a beach hut, whether to let or for personal use, we recommend getting in touch with a specialist.

At Frettens, our bright lawyers have experience in dealing with such transactions and can give you specialist advice in your purchase. Get in touch with us here.

Related: How much does a beach hut cost and do I need a solicitor?

Selling a beach hut

If you own a beach hut and are looking to sell, you could potentially gain a huge profit (depending on the location, purchase price etc.). Some beach huts in the local area have even sold for £350,000 and above!

If you're considering your sale options, it's always worth getting in touch with a specialist valuer to determine the likely price. We can put you in contact with such a specialist. You can speak to us here to arrange this.

If you're looking to proceed with the sale of your beach hut, please get in touch with us here. We have experience in beach hut sales, having recently acted on sales at £45,000 and £20,000.

How we can help

If you have any questions or want to enquire about the sale or purchase of a beach hut, please don't hesitate to get in touch so we can discuss your specific circumstances. You can fill out the form on this page, or give us a call on 01202 499255.

We can also help you with any residential, leasehold or commercial property queries.

We have an FAQ section at the end of this page which answers some of the common questions around buying and selling a beach hut. We have a full article dedicated to beach hut FAQs, which can be read here.

Beach Hut sale and purchase solicitors in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Ringwood and the New Forest

We have bright, modern and accessible offices in Christchurch and Ringwood, but our excellent IT systems allow us to work with clients from all across the country.

All new clients can have a free initial meeting with one of our bright experts. These can take place over a coffee at one of our offices, by phone or video conference. Call us on 01202 499 255 or fill in the get in touch form on this page to arrange yours.

 

    How much does a beach hut cost?

    t can vary widely! We have recently acted on sales at £45,000 and £20,000 but its not uncommon for beach huts on the exclusive Mudeford Sandbank in Dorset to go for £350,000 and above!

    Do beach huts hold their value?

    Generally, beach huts hold their value in the early years of the lease duration but not towards the end. There is no automatic right to extend the lease period or to buy a further lease.

    This will have to be negotiated with the landowner (usually the local Council) and paid for at the market rate at the time assuming the landowner does not want the site back.

    What associated costs are there when buying a beach hut?

    Possibly Stamp Duty Land Tax, Land Registry fees and notice fees with the landowner.

    If the purchase price is over £150,000 then there will be stamp duty land tax to pay.

    If the lease period is over 7 years then it must be registered at the Land Registry. Any subsequent sale of the lease will also need to be registered at the Land Registry.

    Notice of the transfer will also need to be served on the landowner and their fees paid.

    What associated costs are there when selling a beach hut?

    When selling, most leases provide that you have to offer the lease back to the landowner first and if they do not wish to buy back the lease, then the seller has to pay the landowner a Transfer Fee.

    This is often 15% of the sale price or market value of the beach hut whichever is higher. If there is less than 3 years since the beach hut was first sold, then vat could be payable on the Transfer Fee.

    The seller will also have to pay the landowner’s legal fees, surveyor’s fees and sometimes Seafront Services fees for issuing the formal consent to the sale. Plus any unpaid service charges will have to be paid up to date.

    Do you need a solicitor to buy a beach hut?

    It is advisable although not a legal requirement. Any lease is a complex document. A beach hut is a commercial lease and so the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 applies.

    A formal license document will need to be entered into with the landowner by the seller and the buyer before the sale can complete.

    The price for a new beach hut could be subject to VAT. The owner of the beach hut will be liable for business rates unless the buyer qualifies for an exemption.

    The owner will require specialist insurance including public liability. Some leases require public liability insurance cover of £2 million cover for any single claim. 

    Are beach huts freehold or leasehold?

    Generally, beach huts are leasehold. However, in some areas you may only have an annual license to site the beach hut which you own. 

    Is ground rent payable for beach huts?

    Under some leases, yes. If this is the case, it is usually reviewed on an upward only basis on the first April each year.

    If you have beach pod in a building on the seafront, then there is usually a service charge payable for the building and no ground rent.

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