The Beach Huts are all privately owned. We own the beach and lease the plots for tenants to build a hut upon so Beach Huts cannot be rented, but they can be bought when owners choose to sell.
Buying a beach hut
Usually you can find Beach Huts that are for sale being advertised through local estate agents. You can also usually see estate agents’ boards on the Beach Huts themselves, so it’s always worth walking along the rows of huts to spot one for sale.
The Southend Beach Hut Owners Association is also a good source to find Beach Huts that are for sale. They also offer other useful advice about Beach Huts. Please visit their website for this information.
Buying a Beach Hut is a formal process and so you will need the services of a solicitor during the process.
Cost of owning a beach hut
There are a number of costs you will need to consider when thinking about buying a Beach Hut. Such as:
- the rent
- non-domestic rates
- maintenance
- insurance
- cost of services (if connected)
- Southend Beach Hut Owners Association membership (not essential)
- legal costs in purchasing and renewing the lease
- Land Registration fees
It is important to consider whether your Capital Gains Tax threshold will be triggered.
Renting or selling your beach hut
Unless your lease permits you to let your hut, you are not allowed to do so.
Contact the Southend Beach Hut Owners Association first of all to see if they have buyers waiting.
You will then need our consent to sell the lease.
This is a formality but you will need to write to Legal and Democratic Services to ask for consent. You will need to give the following details:
- your hut number
- your name and address
- the name, address and contact details of your prospective buyer
- contact details of your solicitor if you are using one
You will have to pay a small admin charge.
Please check your lease. Some lease options have a condition that any sale of the hut to a non-family member will mean that you will need to pay 10% of the market value to us on completion.