Touring Caravanning

Can I live in a static caravan?

Can I live in my caravan all year round on a park? Would I need planning permission to live in a caravan in my garden? We examine the law surrounding living permanently in a static caravan in the UK.

If you grew up with Enid Blyton’s ‘Famous Five’ or Roald Dahl’s ‘Danny, the Champion of the World’, firing your imagination, you may have dreamed of living permanently in a caravan. But is this possible? The very short answer is no, not in the UK, but there are still ways to enjoy a caravan lifestyle.

Holiday Parks and Residential Parks

If your static caravan is sited on a holiday park, the law recognises it as a ‘holiday home’ to be used for leisure and holiday purposes only. Each holiday park will have its own rules and regulations set out in the contract and licence when you purchase your static caravan, and you must be able to prove that you have a permanent residential property, or ‘main address’. Generally, holiday parks close over the winter months but you are allowed to stay in them when they are open. If the park is open all year, there may be a clause limiting the number of consecutive days you can stay in your caravan. There are holiday parks that have dedicated areas set aside for residential use, where you can live in a static caravan all year round. Residential parks on the other hand are areas of land with a permanent residential licence. Park Homes, caravans and cabins are permanently sited on residential parks and these are usually equipped with high-end facilities. Most residential park homes are for over 55s exclusively and are liable for council tax.

Can I live in a static caravan on my own land?

In many other countries, it is legal to live in a static caravan on land which you own without planning permission. However, in the UK, it is not allowed.

If you want to live in a caravan while building or renovating a property, planning permission is required. In the majority of these cases, permission will be granted but it is at the discretion of the local authority concerned so always consult your local council first. The Planning Portal has answers to all the most common planning questions and is a good starting point.

If you want to live in your static caravan permanently on your own plot of land, you still have to apply for planning permission, which is subject to various rules. Factors will be considered including whether the land makes up part of your garden, whether it is agricultural land or whether it is in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) or is a site of scientific interest (SSI). Where the land does not fall within the footprint of your garden, planning permission may still be granted at the discretion of the local authority. 

Can my teenagers live in a caravan in the garden?

If you park a caravan on your driveway or in the garden, it can be used as an annexe to your home, without planning permission. This means it can be used as an extra bedroom or for visitors, but it must not be rented out or used as a separate dwelling from your home. Additionally, no new access must be made and existing access must not be altered.

The advantages of caravan living

It is often cheaper to buy a caravan than it is to buy or rent a house. When buying a caravan, you are not liable to stamp duty but you will be liable for VAT on the purchase price. Residential sites will charge annual siting fees but these are usually much more competitive than rent or mortgage payments.

As well as the purchase price of a caravan being lower than that of a house, the costs of running a caravan are considerably lower too. If sited on a park, your caravan is not liable for council tax (the cost passes to the site owner and is charged to you as a nightly combined charge). Utility bills are also lower, with many caravans powered by electric hook-up, also included in the nightly fee.

Most residential sites are to be found in holiday destinations, often in very picturesque areas with lots of attractions and amenities close to hand, which gives you a permanent sense of being on holiday, without having to pack up and go home at the end of a week or a fortnight.

If you are fortunate enough to live permanently in a static caravan, BEC Ingoldmells has everything you need to equip your caravan to the highest standard. To chat to our helpful staff, call 01754 871152, pop in to the shop or browse our website now.