Can you live in a motorhome permanently (full time)?

We know what you’re thinking: Living permanently in a motorhome isn’t a viable option or even a realistic idea... To some the very thought suggests drizzly days scratching around in a flea-bitten, rusty old vehicle parked up in some truly awful corner of town, promising yourself that you’ll get round to fixing that flat tyre and the hole in the skylight. Or it suggests hobo living - moving from place to place, unhappy and unsettled in your itinerance, and never quite getting to grips with the lifestyle or enjoying adventures. 

Those ideas, dear reader, are total myths. Living permanently in your motorhome can be one of the most truly rewarding ways of existing. It’s certainly a unique way to go about your business, and the freedom that being mobile and flexible offers can really ‘blow the cobwebs away’. Your whole outlook may even change once you’re no longer tied to your bricks and mortar home and have gone fully mobile.

There are, of course, things to consider...

1.     Laws & guidelines

In the UK, all land is subject to various planning laws, and the use of it for residential purposes is strictly regulated. Planning laws dictate where and how long you are allowed to stay in a motorhome on a piece of land. Typically, if you are staying on private land, you will require formal permission from the landowner - and you may also be subject to any local planning regulations. 

Local authorities will have their own specific rules regarding things such as the length of permitted stay, the suitability of the land for living on and any environmental impact that may result from living on it. Planning permission might be required for extended stays - especially if the motorhome is your permanent residence. If you don’t comply with the planning regulations for the land you are on, it could result in fines or eviction. 

There are also specific rules around overnight motorhome parking. Although it’s legal to park on public roads in many areas, some councils or local authorities could have a set of restrictions in place to stop any overnight parking. Motorhome owners should thoroughly research the legal implications of staying on a particular piece of land, and make sure that stay within the law by fulfilling obligations and permissions, etc.

2.     The vehicle Itself

There are also specific rules and regulations around your motorhome itself, and you must adhere to them. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) sets the UK’s standards for vehicle safety, and there are specific requirements for individual things such as brakes, lights, and emissions. Your motorhomes must meet these standards to be deemed roadworthy, and so booking it in for regular checks is a necessity.

It's also important to keep a running check on any maintenance tasks and repairs to your motorhome – the systems as well as the motorhome itself. This is, after all, the place you live, and you wouldn’t want it to be sub-par. When it is time for a service, get booked in at a garage, workshop, or service centre and, along your way, build a routine for things like pumping tyres, cleaning out systems and washing the vehicle interior and exterior.

3.     Your status / address

Once you’ve made the decision to live full-time in your motorhome you need to look at the issue of how it will affect your status. Things like registering with a doctor and accessing healthcare can be quite challenging without a fixed address – as can something as usually simple as receiving post. Some motorhome owners find a workable solution to be using a family member's address for a mail forwarding service to overcome this hurdle. Having a permanent address is also important when you want to vote in local or general elections or apply for state benefits of some kind. Motorhome owners will need to demonstrate their connection to the area to be able to access local services and any benefits they require.

4.     The environment

When you live full-time in a motorhome it can have implications for the environment - particularly around waste disposal and energy consumption. 

Proper management of your waste is really important so that you minimise impact on the environment – and in particular this includes disposing of waste water (grey water and black water) in a responsible fashion. You should also strive to ensure you don’t litter the places that you stop. Keep your rubbish on board until you are able to properly dispose of it.

5.     Finances - including insurance

Just like with your car, it’s a legal requirement to get your motorhome insured. Depending on the exact policy you take out, this covers you in the event of accident or theft, or injury and damage to a third party. However, when you’ve made the switch to full time, you’ll also needs to take out a policy which covers living in a motorhome. In other words, insurance that covers both the vehicle and the contents within it. 

When you’re investigating your options on the internet, or directly with a broker or insurance company, you’ll initially find that standard motorhome insurance doesn’t provide adequate coverage for full-time living. It’s very important to get the right advice for your situation from insurance providers who are familiar with this lifestyle and have experience of insuring those who have already lived it.

An element of financial planning is also important if you’re considering permanent motorhome living. It can certainly be a cost-effective alternative to traditional housing, but expenses such as diesel or petrol, ongoing maintenance and repairs and site fees for the places you stay can add up. You will, of course, also like at your bricks and mortar home, have running costs for groceries etc. Budgeting for ongoing costs and having some on one side in case of unexpected expenses is essential for long-term sustainability.

6.     Community

Living full-time in a motorhome can be a bit of a solitary experience, particularly for those travelling solo or for those who choose to stay in remote locations. Building connections with other motorhome enthusiasts and joining online or local communities will provide you with a support network and a sense of camaraderie.

Some motorhome owners like to participate in regular organised events - rallies and meetups – as they offer a great chance to socialise and share experiences with like-minded individuals. These gatherings offer opportunities to learn from others, as well as  get useful tips and advice about motorhomes and the on the road lifestyle. Before you embark on living in your full-time motorhome, it’s worth joining an organisation like the Caravan & Motorhome Club, as this will provide you with a great resource tailored exactly to the lifestyle, including forums to participate in and details of campsites, parking spots and regular events you could attend.

Living full-time in your motorhome offers a lifestyle which can be as adventurous as you like, whether you have opted for it as a ‘retirement thing’ or as a radical way to escape the rigours of the rat race. Imagine parking up on the shores of a beautiful Scottish loch and logging in to your work email... There’s an urgent task but it is so much easier because when you look up to pause for breath, there’s a stunning view of sun-kissed water rippling gently to soothe you. Imagine completing your work for the day and immediately heading off down to the beach, or into that smart little tea shop in the village… 

The possibilities are endless, and motorhome living can be for all, not just the retired. At Wandahome we can provide you with the right vehicle, but the rest is up to you!