I really dont think there is a simple answer to that question, in the age of so much computer technology it is all too easy for any of the above authorities to check up and prove you are/are not actually living where you say you are, and its not just being used as a 'PO Box' address, which would be open to some scams and benefit fraud claims ect by some less honest people. This would mean registering as living with your friend/relative on the local electoral rolls, which in turn could cause problems for them should they be renting and your addition to the household occupancy would take them over what the house ocupancy numbers are specified for, not to mention affecting any benefits they may be claiming. then there are things like passport renewal and driving licence details which of cause it is illegal to falsify information given on any of the application forms.
I do know of a couple who live in their motorhome for around 10 months of the year, but they retain a small, cheap to maintain one bedroomed flat that they occupy from Christmas to Mid March every year. Their son collects mail and generally looks after the place whilst they are away, they are registered with the local GP there, and are on the electoral role as owner occupiers. They also have the benefit of a warmer roof over their head during the worst of the winter weather, when the problems of keeping a caravan running without any frozen pipes are at their most difficult.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
I think you will find most fulltiming folks just 'wing it' using a relative's address as their UK address for the purposes of insurance etc. I think 'legal' may be the wrong word, its not a criminal offence but for example touring caravan insurance does not cover full time living & saying your car is kept at your UK 'address' when you live all yr in a caravan would void insurance but as you are 'living' at your relative's address & on(permanent)holiday in your caravan, its ok. Sort of...
As long as you keep a check for mail so you dont miss anything like a speeding fine.
Then get stopped and find your licence had been revoked.
I read this recently a guy was moaning because be basically commited fraud by insuring his car at a Scottish address yet actually lived in London.
Seems he, his family and a few friends all used the same scam.
But his insurance cancelled his policy for non payment, He never responded to their letters, Got stopped no insurance car impounded.
Thought getting a new policy elsewhere was cheaper than paying what he missed.
But he didnt get the letters for his driving with no insurance fine and failed to send his licence off to add the points. So it was revoked.
Another stop for no insurance and an invalid licence..
I could go on for ages... But he was the victim.. Its not fair etc etc etc...
Anyway as long as you tell the insurance where your likely to be the main part of if touring and somewhere new each week.
And check your letters OFTEN.
Sorry to waffle on but it could be a serious issue, In the above case he brought it all on himself. But you never know if your insurer need to contact you and decide to cancel your policy if you dont reply.
I wonder what the bank would say if you went in and told them you no longer live at you existing address and you don't wish to have mail sent there but don't give them a new address.
Quote: Originally posted by Jack+Jon on 04/9/2013
you can't fulltime even with a proper address without being slightly economical with the truth....
Yes you can, and plenty of canal continuous cruisers do exactly that. You give the insurance company a postal address and then tell them the car is kept elsewhere.
Quote: Originally posted by LlaniDavis on 04/9/2013
Yes you can, and plenty of canal continuous cruisers do exactly that. You give the insurance company a postal address and then tell them the car is kept elsewhere.
& what about everything else? Caravan insurance etc. Fact is that if you are truthful about everything you will hit a problem somewhere & this thread is about fulltiming in a caravan not a canal boat.
Quote: Originally posted by acesup1504 on 05/9/2013
I think a big question is being missed.
Do they plan to tour all year round. Or have a base caravan park where they will be resident for a portion of the year
They appear to want to use a relative's address as a permanent address & the answers are based on that. If they buy a mobile home on a residential park or even a holiday park that has to be vacated for 1 month a year then they have their own permanent UK address so should have no problems.
Quote: Originally posted by Sooty2013 on 04/9/2013
My wife and i wish to sellup and live fulltime in our caravan.
Although this subject has been discussed before, i still have a few questions.
Is using a relatives house for car tax, car insurance and banking etc legal
If not as we will have no permanent address. how is it done.
We had no issue with using a relative's address for car tac, insurance etc as long as you tell them where the car is stored overnight. Your biggest hurdle will be insuring the caravan.
We lived permanently in the caravan for 1 1/2 years and sadly had to give it up as I became disabled. We thoroughly enjoyed those years.
Think very carefully because if you sell up and at some point in the future due to illness are forced back to living under tile and mortar you may have issues. rather consider renting out your home.
Quote: Originally posted by acesup1504 on 05/9/2013I think a big question is being missed.
Do they plan to tour all year round. Or have a base caravan park where they will be resident for a portion of the year
They appear to want to use a relative's address as a permanent address & the answers are based on that. If they buy a mobile home on a residential park or even a holiday park that has to be vacated for 1 month a year then they have their own permanent UK address so should have no problems.
They have a problem on a holiday park. The address cannot be used as a permanent address and you must give a permanent address as reduced rates are paid as it is only for holiday use.
There was an earlier thread on this topic that covered insurance and the problem of getting a company to cover your caravan for permanent use. Can anyone remember if a company was found that would offer cover?
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Topic: Living fulltime in a caravan
