On 30 September, the FD reported on a lawsuit in which EuroParcs was convicted of 'unfair commercial practices'. This concerns the purchase contract of a holiday home on the park in Kaatsheuvel, in which the land was rented out. EuroParcs calls the ruling 'incomprehensible' and points out that when selling holiday homes, there is always a free choice in buying or renting the land.
See also: www.fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1532398/recht-europarcs-misleidde-consument-bij-koop-van-vakantiehuis
The verdict was already pronounced on July 12, 2024, but the journalists of the FD only recently came across this case. In the judge's ruling, EuroParcs must repay the paid purchase price of € 205.000. In fact, the agreement is thereby undone. The FD mentions 800 contracts that were concluded with EuroParcs under the same conditions. The FD concludes that it could be a major setback if all these people want their money back. But is that likely if you consider that these people will also immediately lose their holiday home? With a visit to the notary, 'the problem' can also be solved quite simply - and EuroParcs is also actively cooperating.
EuroParcs strongly disagrees with the ruling of the Amsterdam court and will therefore appeal.
Response from EuroParcs:
“EuroParcs finds the ruling incomprehensible, especially considering the fact that all buyers, with the exception of a single holiday park with a leasehold, can establish a rent-dependent building right, which provides the buyer with maximum protection.
Whether or not to buy the plot is a deliberate choice of the buyer. In the event that the buyer chooses to rent the plot, he still has the opportunity to buy the land at EuroParcs later. Many owners of a holiday home who rent the plot later still make use of this.
The vast majority of buyers of a holiday home at EuroParcs buy the land directly. In other cases, buyers consciously choose not to buy the land, for example because of their disposable budget. For these people, EuroParcs does build in maximum security by means of building rights and permanent purchase options for the plot.
Trade association HISWA-RECRON indicates that their current model contracts are still sufficient and can be used today. According to the trade association, the building right does not need to be added today. This means that it is not customary in the industry, but EuroParcs, as a forerunner in the industry, does add this.
The decision to establish a building right is entirely up to the buyers of a holiday home on a rental plot. EuroParcs fully cooperates with this and advises buyers of a holiday home on a rental plot to do so as well.”
More information: www.europarcs.nl