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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to live in a caravan?

423 replies

PickledLilly · 04/10/2019 12:48

I need to get out of my relationship but live in an area where rents/house prices are high and wages are low and Housing Association houses are impossible to get.

I hate the idea of being at the mercy of a landlord and want the security of something of my own but could never get a mortgage on just my wage. WIBU to buy a nice static caravan on a holiday park for me and my two children and cat to live in?

I know it would be a lot smaller than our current home (but so would anything I could afford to rent) but there are other year round residents, lovely grounds, playground and a swimming pool that’s all free for residents to use.

I just get this sense that some people would be aghast at me moving my children into a caravan but it honestly feels like my only way out. WIBU?

OP posts:
NKFell · 04/10/2019 14:59

One of my friends lives on a holiday park with her 2 children and she only has to leave for 2 weeks a year. She's just bought a new 'van', it's the Atlas Lilac Lodge and I can honestly say it's amazing.

She says what she pays in site fees is more than covered by what she saves in rent and I know her DC (and mine) love the facilities.

It's definitely worth looking into OP. Good luck!

peachgreen · 04/10/2019 15:02

Are you planning on applying for a mortgage? Can you get a mortgage on static caravans? Or are you able to buy outright?

MoobaaMoobaa · 04/10/2019 15:02

Go for it, as long as you get all the info you you need.

I've always had this in mind as a back up plan, incase DH and me hit hard times or we split up.

The age of your children is a bonus because they get all the benefits of the facilities plus well kept grounds and safety of play out on their bikes.

if you can afford it, get the full winter package, which is double glazing, insulated and central heated.

A good size caravan would mean you could put cabin beds in dc bedrooms.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 04/10/2019 15:06

Stuff is so much less important than spending time together. We (well me I can't talk for everyone on MN) accumulate so much and honestly I hardly need any of it.

Powerplant · 04/10/2019 15:08

Don’t buy a holiday static as it may not have central heating or insulation -tin tent type of thing Look for one with double glazing and central heating they are lovely and warm.

Patnotpending · 04/10/2019 15:14

OP, I knew nothing about static caravans or park homes, as they're also known, till recently when I was contacted by a relative with learning difficulties who lives in one. His is on a permanent site (he lives there all year) but he pays a very high monthly service charge and the site owner supplies the gas for heating/cooking at high prices that residents have to pay.

It's certainly cheaper than a house – you can pick up a 2-bedroom park home on my relative's site near Farnham for under £100,000 – but you'll have to pay somewhere around £500 a month in site fees etc. And when you want to sell it you get hit for charges to the site (I think on this site the site owner gets a 10% cut on every sale). It's noticeable that the value of the homes decreases very quickly and on my relative's site the site owner can terminate the contract and ask anyone with an old or tatty home to take it away. It might be a solution to your problem but it's not likely to be as cheap or secure as you would hope.

smugmug · 04/10/2019 15:15

I live near the coast and there are several caravan sites locally open 50 weeks but the cost of buying and site fees are quite a lot making a small flat a cheaper option

BourbonAndTea · 04/10/2019 15:22

Could you consider a residential park home instead? Much cheaper than a traditional house, well insulated and catered for, and a legal address.

I have a colleague who has lived with her son in a park home for many years and loves it. Not cold, not too costly and very homely, with a private fenced garden too!

dontpooyoureyesturnbrown · 04/10/2019 15:24

Yes because it will be small and cold and the kiddies might end up with coughs and infections etc. Also child services might get informed through schools, family and the like and they might not be happy either.

BillieEilish · 04/10/2019 15:31

it will be small and cold and the kiddies might end up with coughs and infections etc. Also child services might get informed through schools, family and the like and they might not be happy either

Grin Grin Hmm What crap.

ZogorElmer · 04/10/2019 15:31

How will you afford to buy the caravan?

timshelthechoice · 04/10/2019 15:41

I think this really only works if you have money to spare. For starters they are very expensive and you generally cannot get a mortgage for them, so you need a big chunk of change at the outset. And if you think paying rent is throwing money away, you can soundly expect to lose money on a van. The site fees can be staggering as well and of course, you have to sign contracts on a lot things, may be locked into suppliers for all kinds of things.

anothernewone · 04/10/2019 15:42

I think the kids will love it (and their friends will probably be jealous!)
If you're allowed a storage container outside this will help with bikes/scooters etc
Inside I think lost of static have great built in storage (under beds, in sofa corner units etc) way more than a tiny apartment.
Have you looked into what benefits you may be eligible for though?

BrigidSt · 04/10/2019 15:43

Do it, try it. I grew up in a static sized caravan, with 2 sisters and my parents. We moved out of it eventually but it worked for us and didn't do us any harm. I would move in one tomorrow with my son and do it again if I could. It's hard long term, space and privacy, but if it's a way out you're looking for then give it a try, get youraelf on the housing register and see what other accomodation comes up.

trockodile · 04/10/2019 15:45

It’s something I have thought about, but seems very precarious and has the potential to go very wrong.
At least with renting you get (depending on income) housing benefit/large maintenance bills etc covered.
Hope all goes well-can you live with your mum short term until you find out your options?

MoobaaMoobaa · 04/10/2019 15:46

oh also, it can be cheaper to buy your caravan of site and have it delivered, as a lot of sites have really high prices for their pre owned or new.

lots of caravan/lodge dealers offer free delivery.

www.sblcaravancentre.co.uk/stock/145522

just check the age limit of the site you want to pitch on.

Drabarni · 04/10/2019 15:49

OP, not all places are the same. You could find a place, not a park as such that allows you to stay all year.
I would recommend this rather than a big site where you are close to your neighbour who might have different values.

It's easy to live in the enclosed space once you get used to it and have your home comforts around you.
What about a mobile home, rather than a caravan.

MoobaaMoobaa · 04/10/2019 15:56

How will you afford to buy the caravan?

If the OP buys from the site, they will probably give 0% finance on one of their caravans, then site fees on top.

Drabarni · 04/10/2019 15:57

Another one would be buying a bit of land, you wouldn't need much.
Stick a fence around it and voila, as long as your van wasn't an eye sore.
Got my ds1 looking out for some near to him, not sure how costly it is yet though. It's lovely looking out over countryside away from the main roads, hustle and bustle.

MoobaaMoobaa · 04/10/2019 16:03

Drabarni

The only problem is odd bits of land don't normally have water/sewerage and electricity at hand. Which is fine for someone who has time to sort these things out and don't mind missing the convenience and comfort of them for awhile. But I think OP needs something ready to go and homely for the DC.

ConFusion360 · 04/10/2019 16:06

Another one would be buying a bit of land, you wouldn't need much.
Stick a fence around it and voila, as long as your van wasn't an eye sore.

It's not quite that simple because you will almost certainly need planning permission.

Stressedmummyof4 · 04/10/2019 16:14

You can get caravans with double glazing and central heating in, we've stayed in one while it's been below 0 outside and through snow conditions and can honestly say we were toasty. I'd live in one tomorrow if I could to be honest. You'd need to seriously cut down on your stuff though. But we had washer/dryer and dishwasher too. Caravans have come along way since we were younger!

formerbabe · 04/10/2019 16:20

It's better than nothing but I'd be moving heaven and earth to not have to do this.

ConfusedAndStressed95 · 04/10/2019 16:24

We've lived in caravans and loved it. They aren't squashed and cold or damp they're lovely. I intend to buy one rather than buying a house. Easier for me to maintain, cheaper overall and no landlord.

welshladywhois40 · 04/10/2019 16:28

Op - are you really sure you haven't built up any equity in your current house? Have you been financially contributing to any shared expenses? Doesn't need to be directly to the mortgage.

I am not staying you can or should get 50% of the property but I don't think you get zero either. Plus these are his children.

I would get some legal advice about where you stand before committing to the caravan. Most solicitors will give you 30 min free to understand your case. Prepare questions

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