Hi
This is my first post
I'm looking for advice if possible
I'm selling up and thinking of going off grid in a camper full time
My questions are
1-can I park on residential street as long as I'm not upsetting anyone or creating mess
2-what are the rfl and insurance implications
3-do I have to pay council tax ect
4-can I be moved on if someone thinks I'm living permanently by the road side
5-any tips regarding washing ,water,heating etc
Lastly -anything the more experienced off gridders would advise
Welcome. There are plenty of “van lifers” around, with apps & websites etc to support. This site is largely for people that stay on sites (it’s in the name…) but if you search the forums, you’ll find the answers to many of your questions, as they’ve been asked before. (Absolutely no to residential streets, for example.) And you will have to go onto a site to legally dispose of your chemical toilet waste & grey water, and fill up with fresh - some sites let you pay a small fee to do this & not stay. But every 3-4 days.
Good luck anyway.
If we noticed a camper van parked up on our street with someone living in it, we would contact the authorities to get them shifted.
Where would theses campers be getting their water and what would they be doing with their waste water? What would they be doing with all their food waste products and also their excrement and urine?
You would have to stay on sites mostly, as said above. You could get away with somewhere in the countryside for a couple of days, but a big NO to residential streets. Join the Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) so that you can stay on their Certificated Locations(CLs). But most of them don't have off grid pitches. You will also have to move every 28 days.
One of the key issues to consider is the matter relating to an address for posts etc...
Your driving licence for example needs to reflect your current permanent address.
Proof of address when requires usually means one of the following, an utility bill such as water, energy supply as in gas or electricity, bank statement, landline phone bill less than 3 months old; or the current council tax bill for the year.
Mobile phone bill does not count.
As mentioned by the others already, have a search on Google on how to obtain an address and other issues relating to being a van lifer or boater.
I too would have an issue of a van parking up in the cul de sac where I live with someone living in it. On someone's drive with permission from the owner of the drive would be fine.
I too would recommend staying at a site with facilities every few days to allow for disposal of grey and black wastes, and to top up with fresh water and do the laundry etc...
Good luck - it is not a life that I aspire to do!
DK
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If you want live in your van in a specific area ie near your work then really it’s about what you can get away with. You need to be resourceful, street smart & keep one step ahead of those who would try to stop you. If you are all that then you can figure out answers to all your questions yourself.
There was a television program which featured a guy who did this and I can't help you by telling you it's title or even which channel it was on. I watched it with interest. He did find places on residential streets, but they were places with big houses and he parked in places where he didn't bother anyone. I would imagine areas like that are hard to find. I regularly see a large Hobby motorhome parked up on an industrial estate next to where my local Lidl is situated. I think that if you don't cause an obstruction or make any mess or noise nuisance. it's only the busybodies who will kick up a stink. However, if you have kids who ride about on quad bikes,leave a stinking mess everywhere you go, engage in thieving and ripping off vulnerable people, you become a protected species and the Police will let you get away with it.
In order to tax & insure your van & for other things like banking & phone contract etc you need a bricks & mortar address & this is where it all goes a bit Michael mouse. You will need to use the address of relative or friend & pretend you live there.
So go forward from that & you see it’s about ducking & diving. If you want to live in your van then there are no rules apart from what you make yourself. It is feasible because 1000s are already doing it. Probably most not by choice but because it is an affordable way to live your life.
Alternative have you considered a narrow boat on a canal or permanently left moored in a marina. Lots of people are doing it nowadays. Our house backs onto canal at the bottom of the garden and about 1/4 miles along canal are several moored. They have large water and waste tanks so less filling and emptying where they travel along canal to a service point. Electricity solar panels on top and a generator on the towpath to start up when 240 v required.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: New to it all
via mobile 03/10/2023 at 8:04pm
