The beach huts are privately owned. The Council leases plots of land on which tenants place and maintain a beach hut.
Some owners may wish to hire out their beach hut for others to use. This is only permitted where the owner has obtained the Council's consent through a formal licence.
Beach huts occasionally become available for purchase when owners decide to sell.
Buying a beach hut
Beach huts for sale are often advertised through local estate agents. Estate agents' boards are also commonly displayed on beach huts that are being marketed, so it may be worth visiting the seafront to identify huts that are available for sale.
The Southend Beach Hut Owners Association is also a useful source of information on beach huts that are for sale, together with general advice about beach hut ownership. Please visit their website for further information.
Purchasing a beach hut is a legal transaction. We recommend that buyers and sellers instruct a solicitor to assist with the process.
Costs of owning a beach hut
Before purchasing a beach hut, you should consider the ongoing costs of ownership, including:
- annual ground rent payable to the Council
- non-domestic rates (often exempt dependent on individual status)
- maintenance and repairs
- insurance
- utility and service charges (where applicable)
- membership of the Southend Beach Hut Owners Association (optional)
- legal costs associated with purchasing the beach hut and any future lease renewal
You may also wish to seek independent tax advice regarding any potential Capital Gains Tax implications when selling a beach hut.
Hiring out your beach hut
If you would like to hire out your beach hut, you must first obtain the Council's consent.
Consent will be granted by way of a formal licence.
Please contact the Asset Management Team at AssetManagement-AssetsandResources@southend.gov.uk to discuss your application.
An annual licence fee will be payable, together with the Council's legal and administrative costs for preparing the licence.
Selling your beach hut
You must obtain the Council's consent before selling your beach hut and transferring the lease to a new owner.
Please write to the Legal and Democratic Services department at the Council to apply for consent.
Your application should include:
- your beach hut number
- your name and address
- the name, address and contact details of the proposed purchaser
- the agreed sale price
- the contact details of your solicitor (if instructed)
As part of the consent process, the proposed purchaser will be required to provide satisfactory identification and proof of funds. Any rent, rates and other sums due under the lease must also be paid in full before consent will be granted.
You should carefully check the terms of your lease. Many beach hut leases provide that where a beach hut is sold to a person who is not a qualifying family member, a payment equal to 10% of the open market sale price is payable to the Council upon completion.
Upon completion of the sale, a registration fee is payable to the Council in accordance with the terms of the lease. The current fee for registering a notice of transfer is £50 plus VAT.