To think sleeping in a campervan in a residential area is illegal?

I know a few grandparents who took a lump sum at retirement specifically to buy a camper van for visiting their children/grandchildren. As per PPs, they park at their relatives' house, pop in to socialise and anything else and then retreat to their private, mobile room at night or any other time they fancy a bit of peace.

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How is this affecting you op?

It’s not illegal, as long as the van is taxed he can do that.

Lots if people live off grid in cars, vans, boats.
Unless there are clear signs stating no overnight parking, then this person has done nothing wrong.

Perhaps he is a relative of your neighbour ?

Perhaps he is a visitor to your neighbour ?

We are all human

We have a motor home parked on the driveway and we often use it as another bedroom for guests. What’s the problem?

If they’re not causing a nuisance, our London council wouldn’t worry too much.

Was just about to say the same thing.

Get a job so you spend more time contributing to society and less time curtain twitching

Agree 100%

How is he affecting you? I'm sure he's doing it out of necessity rather than choice. It must have been horrendous for him in the heat the last few days too. Unless he's doing something antisocial then you should probably mind your own business.

Where do you propose he stays instead? On a piece of cardboard under a bridge? Would you prefer that?

Honestly, what is the problem? Live and let live. I'm sure it's not his dream life, and it won't be long-term. Just let him get bs k on his feet rather than kick him while he's down by complaining.

If you think that mothers getting state support, (and housing) is "crazy"....

A friend lives in a van due to a huge rent increase. She and her family travel a bit but then base themselves at various relatives - the number of times they’ve been reported by petty minded individuals who have a problem with people forced into difficult situations is ridiculous, and despite several visits from police they’ve yet to be found doing anything wrong.

Wind your neck in and leave him alone fgs.

And?

Why do you think this isn't accurate?

Rent is expensive. Take CMS payments out of the average wage and there's not a lot left. The mother is almost always given primary custody so keeps the marital home.

This is a very common situation. Vans, friends floors, back home with parents.

Why do you care, is this affecting your life in any way?

Usually because if you're on a lower income you get universal credit when you have children living with you, and if needed you get assistance from the local housing department. Do you have any idea what it's like for single people on minimum wage jobs to find private rental properties in 2026?

Crazy how the women always manage to house and clothe the children but there are ‘several’ men, known to you alone, that can’t even get themselves a flat - heroically living in campers to pay child support.

I know several single men who are living in campers on residential streets following marriage breakdowns and this is the only way they can afford to pay for their child support and live on minimum wage. As long as they are taxed, insured and moted and there are no parking restrictions it's legal. One uses the public toilets and showers at the leisure centre, another gets water from a nearby resident. I think this is pragmatic in the current economic climate. I also know a very senior council officer who spent last summer in a camper in a car park so they could rent out their house on air b n b and will do so again this year, I'm not quite so sympathetic (as th e sign says no overnight stays...)

He's probably just a mate of a person who lives in a house who has asked to stay for a bit.

I'd probably just be thankful he wasn't dumping waste etc.

Why are you spying on him? Creepy.

If he's parked on the street rather than a drive, and if your local council has a Traffic Regulation Order banning overnight stays on residential streets, he could be fined. But only if they have that in place.

There's no UK law banning it.

Leave the poor sod alone. The housing crisis is bad enough already.

No, not illegal if the vehicle is road legal and there's no other illegal activity.

He's got a connection to one of the houses so I would accept it. At least if he was Ok. At least for now.

Is he actually causing any trouble? And do you know for certain he's sleeping in it every night?

Unless he was acting horrible or leaving loads of mess, damaging property, making noise etc I would probably leave him to it.

Given the state of housing in this country, van life is becoming the only affordable option for many. Water is needed, so park up at friends when top ups are needed. Visiting is easy, socialising then back to van. If there are no restrictions on the residential roads and legally parked its not a police or council issue.