0835 Leisure Summer 08_aw.indd - HLL Humberts Leisure

Focus | Holiday Property BondStandardsOver the years, there has sometimes been a failure by sometimeshare providers to keep their annual costs to a competitivelevel: indeed, some firms have increased their fees by two-threetimes the rate of inflation.Conversely, the Bond’s quarterly fee - of around £25.00 includingVAT - is linked to RPI.In addition, its user-charges are calculated on a no-profit basis- and they are payable only when a holiday is actually booked.Which means there are no ‘nasty surprises’ once a consumer hasinvested.Moreover the Bond commits to the very highest standards – andis answerable to its own ‘watchdog’ - the Holiday PropertyBondholders Committee - the majority of whose members areelected by the investors.ClubsA variety of ‘alternative’ holiday schemes have hit the headlinesof late.Holiday clubs, for example, offer many features of timeshare- such as the use of self-catering accommodation in exchange fora capital sum. Unfortunately, some lack the legal protection andcertainty of delivery that consumers demand.Then there’s Fractional Ownership – which provides for anumber of weeks’ accommodation each year, plus a share of anyassociated rental income and subsequent capital appreciation.Sadly, these latter schemes tend to invest in high-endaccommodation, usually in exotic locations, putting them beyondthe reach of many investors. The Holiday Property Bond which,requiring a minimum initial investment of just £4,000, is accessibleto consumers with more modest budgets.There is also a Trustee (HSBC Trustee Isle of Man Ltd) whichcontrols all the Bond’s assets. So Bondholders are assured aconsistently high level of accommodation and service, whereverthey choose to holiday - in the UK or overseas.www.humberts-leisure.comHLL Humberts Leisure 21