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Topic: Buying caravan as temporary home - layout

MrsMacP

05/11/2014 at 11:32am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Kampa Holkham & Frinton 4

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Hi All,

We've sold our house & are struggling to find rented accommodation for 3 plus a dog with less than 6mths minimum term.

We've caravanned, tented & motorhome so hubby has come up with the idea of buying a caravan to site on the inlaws drive until we complete on a house (although his biggest concern is I won't want to sell the caravan 😂).

OH is 6ft 5, I'm 5ft 7 & we have a 19mth toddler who will probably sleep in a travel cot or possibly a bunk. With regards to layout I'm thinking of the following:

Single axle (length may be an issue due to inlaws drive)
Front seats to be used as singles
Bathroom with shower cubicle rather than wet room
Rear side dinette to accommodate 3
Room to put the travel cot & screen it off OR
Side bunks

Earlier this year we were looking at purchasing a 5 berth swift challenger with 2 side bunks & dinette opposite for holidays but decided not to go ahead as we wanted to move. Not sure if this would still be the right layout for us. I'd love to think we could keep the van after but the reality is we'd probably need to sell it so primarily looking for a layout that will work short term to live in.

Thanks

Mrs MacP

sunshinetours

05/11/2014 at 11:45am
Location: sunny south east!
Outfit: Coachman

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You may struggle for front benches as single if hubbie is 6ft 5

Also beware of neighbours of in laws reporting you for "living" in a caravan on a drive for a long period, unless of course you are round the back say

Also consider staying on a caravan site for upto 28 days like small caravan club CL?

Think about how you will keep warm in winter living in a caravan 24/7 - simple electric heater may not cut it especially with a toddler

Wish you luck with your plans

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MrsMacP

05/11/2014 at 11:59am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Kampa Holkham & Frinton 4

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The inlaws sold their house last Dec & lived in their motorhome on sister-in-laws drive for 10 weeks with no problems. On what grounds could the neighbours report us? If it's council tax we'd be happy to pay? We aren't trying to avoid anything.

Never though of a CL, so can you only stay for up to 28 days? There aren't many in this area & we need to be close to hubby's work but will certainly look into this.

Thanks

sunshinetours

05/11/2014 at 1:57pm
Location: sunny south east!
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I believe but am no expert. that the issue is living in temporary dwelling on private land, which is not legal in this country under planning law?

Whats a holiday and what is living I guess is more open to interpretation which is why i suggested you may wish to look at some alternatives where you can move round

You need to belong to the caravan club to access CL's (certificated locations) and the C&CC own version which is CSs (Certificated sites)

Alternatively private sites/commercial sites could be use in same way of course

jaiash

05/11/2014 at 2:03pm
Location: nr Derby
Outfit: Phoenix 440+

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We lived in our caravan for 12 weeks in MIL's drive, two kids 1 and 10 and the cat. No problems apart from having to shop every two or three days rather than once a week. It was several years ago but none of her nosy neighbours said anything. Our layout at the time was twin dinettes with a bunk over the rear end dinette.

zivadog

05/11/2014 at 6:32pm
Location: warrington
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I checked this and planning permission is not needed if its used as extra living space for the property

naturlist123

05/11/2014 at 10:03pm
Location: Southport
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look in static sites have seen used up for £1500 I think smallest is 10x22 ft these are ones been part ex don,t know how much to transport must move of site. 4" toilet pipe could be run to inspection pit as well as water waste,
must be inspection pit in inlaws drive for rodding blocked drain

blueexpo97

05/11/2014 at 10:48pm
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The OP states that even a single axle may be an issue regarding length, so I doubt if even the smallest static is going to fit, unless of course they knock the house down.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.

MrsMacP

05/11/2014 at 11:41pm
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The inlaws park their Autosleeper Broadway EK TB motorhome down the side we'd be using & it has an overall length of 6280mm 20' 7". The motorhome would go into storage so the caravan including tow bar can't be any bigger.

If anyone has suggestions on models it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Screen2

06/11/2014 at 8:24am
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Are you going to be 'living' in caravan or just sleeping in it & using inlaw's house for eveything else? As pointed out you need to be just sleeping in it not 'living' in it which requires planning permission that would not be granted unless temporary during house renovation etc. Unless neighbours complain & council investigates you should be ok though so be discreet & if it is mentioned, caravan is just extra bedroom & you are in fact 'living' with inlaws.

Also bear in mind if spending a fair bit on caravan you will only be able to insure it as a touring caravan, you cannot insure for permanent living & with no planning permission insurance would be void anyway. Also there could be probs with inlaw's house insurance if things go badly wrong like serious fire so should worst happen ensure your stories are straight, forewarned is forearmed.

Tbh unless you are on good terms with inlaws & they are happy to let you all have the run of their house evenings & use of toilet/bathroom it will be a pretty grotty winter for you so perhaps choose a caravan with only a small toilet & as much bed space as possible?

What you need to remember is that living in a caravan on a residential property is not legal in your circumstances. To get away with it you need to hope neighbours don't complain & that a caravan in a driveway of an evening with lights/telly on is a bit of a giveaway to council snoopers.

mikim

06/11/2014 at 7:23pm
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Not enough space !

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Hi,
I understand that you are saying this would be a temporary arrangement.
Last winter my Mum moved in and my son and girlfriend were also living with us.
Older son works as a live in carer (one week on, one week off) and had split with girlfriend so no flat.
I checked it out and as he was only sleeping in our caravan there was no problem.
His meals , washing showers etc all were done in the main house but he did spend the rest of his time in the caravan.
It's going to be tough as you have a toddler and a dog but if you have a decent van and your inlaws are happy to let you use the house there shouldn't be a problem short term.

-------------
I have TAD !

jay1976

07/11/2014 at 5:26pm
Location: Bidford upon avon
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ask local sites if u can stay long term..you are meant to move every 28 days but you can leave caravan on site and just be off site for a few days before moving back again..I am living in caravan on a site but I do go off site for a weekend away to another site as a holiday on welsh coast then go back to the site with caravan for another 28 days..Also I would say u need a bigger caravan if living in it full time as I am in my 28foot long twin axle lunar and i have a fixed bed at back with single seats up front/single bed if needed..kitchen with fridge freezer(currys do a undercounter fridge freezer same size as a normal fridge..caravan heater is good at keeping it warm and shower/toilet ok for me... your hardest is athe dog on a wet field like it is now is going to make everything wet,plus a baby...
Best advice i will give is dont bother and might be easier to rent a static on a holiday site for as long as u need..

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lunar solar ecclipse 4 berth. living in caravan permantly on site.

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