Living in a Motorhome or Campervan Permanently in the UK

If you have caught the bug, you might wonder, ‘Can I live in a motorhome permanently in the UK?’

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know.

Yes, it is perfectly legal to live in your motorhome or campervan full time in the UK, as long as;

1. You have the legal right to live in the UK, and
2. Your campervan or motorhome is road legal. This means it’s taxed, insured and registered it with the DVLA, it has a valid MOT (if required), and you have a valid driving license.

Living in a motorhome full time has lots of benefits. But there are also plenty of downsides too.

The Pros of Living in a Motorhome

The benefits of living in a motorhome include;

Freedom to Travel

This is often the biggest reason why people ditch the house to live in a motorhome. You have the freedom to travel where you want, knowing that no matter where you are, you have your bed with you.

This means you can wake up to a different view every morning if you want to.

Lower Cost of Living

Houses are expensive to own. Mortgages, rent, utilities, council tax, it all adds up.

While motorhomes aren’t cheap, they’re not as expensive as bricks and mortar to own. You will have costs; camp sites, fuel, insurance, and maintenance, but they won’t be as high as owing and living in a house.

Closer to Nature

There’s nothing quite like living in the great outdoors.

Being closer to nature does wonders for our mental wellbeing. Many people who live in motorhomes have a better mood, less anxiety and have a happier life in general.

Less Space to Clean

If you’re like us, there are lots of things you’d rather do than cleaning. Especially when you’re off exploring the world.

The good news is that motorhomes have limited space, which makes them easy to keep clean. Even a big clean only takes a couple of hours, giving you more time to spend doing the things you want to.

Opportunity to Meet New People

When you travel, you’ll meet and make friends with lots of new people. From other people living the van life, campground hosts, hikers, and the people who live in the areas you visit.

It’s also amazing of how often you come across people you’ve met in other places.

The Cons of Living in a Motorhome

The downsides to living in a motorhome include;

Limited Space

While having limited space is a bonus if you’re not a fan of cleaning, the lack of space can be a strain for some.

You’ll have to share the same toilet and bathroom and your beds will be close to each other so there’s a lack of privacy.

Also, while motorhome make good use of space, storage is limited. So it doesn’t take a lot to make a small space messy.

Driving Can Be Difficult

Motorhomes are big vehicles which can make travelling around quite difficult. Especially in locations you’re not familiar with.

If you’re not a confident driver, you might think twice about moving into a motorhome.

Problems with Parking

Parking your motorhome isn’t always straightforward, especially in the UK. Different councils have different rules on parking, so you need to make sure you understand them.

When parking on private land, you’ll need to get the landowners permission.

That said, there are plenty of apps and Facebook groups that help you find a place to park.

No Fixed Address

If you decide to live in a motorhome, you’ll have no fixed address. This can make other areas of your life difficult.

Collecting post, registering with a GP surgery or dentist, insurances and getting on the electoral register can be problematic.

One option is to redirect your mail to a family or friend. There are also companies that rent mailboxes. The motor homing community always have helpful tips.

Regardless, there may be times when you receive financial, medical or other sensitive documents in the post. As such, you need to make sure your personal information is kept safe and secure.

Before deciding whether living in a motorhome is right for you, here are some other things to consider;

Planning Permissions

Different local authorities have different regulations on the use of residential vehicles. Some even require planning permission to use a motorhome as a permanent address.

So check with council to make sure you understand the rules where you’re residing.

Services and Facilities

When living in a motorhome, you’ll need access to water, electricity as well as sanitation and waste disposal.

Depending on where you’re staying or plan to visit, you might not always have access to them. So planning is essential.

Time Limits on Campsite and Stopovers

The UK has lots of campsites and places to stop over. That said, many have restrictions on how long you can stay.

Your Impact on the Environment

While the environmental impact of living in a motorhome is less than owning a house, it doesn’t mean there isn’t one.

The first is the amount of fuel you use. If you’re on the move a lot, it goes without saying, you’ll burn more fuel.

The lack of storage space in a motorhome or campervan also means buying singular items. This means more trips to the shops and therefore more fuel burnt. It also can increase the amount of plastic waste you produce.

And the more waste you produce, the more trips you’ll make to waste disposal point’s (if you’re not on a campsite). Again, this means more fuel consumed.

Before committing to the Van Life, it’s super important to consider the pros, cons and the practicalities of living in a motorhome.

Holidaying in your motorhome and living in it on a permanent basis are very different. So do your research and think very carefully before jumping in.