Caravan - permenant accomodation?!

Staciep88

Hi everyone,

I was hoping for everyones honest opinions in this situation:

Me and my OH want to get sorted out in permenant accomodation. We are atm renting my parents second home which is ok for the minute but they are going to start work in there soon and then eventually move in there once they have sold there other house.

My OH is in debt (as you can see from my signature) and I owe a small amount on a 0% credit card and also have a car loan of £185 a month for 36 months, which I can cope with, its not a problem.

Now as my OH has bad credit ratings etc we are only able to get a mortage of £40k which lets be serious - isnt going to get us anywhere. Even though we do have a deposit so that a bit of a pain! We are not interested in this part buy business, it just one big headache.

OH parents have alot of land and originally we were going to build on this land but as they wont sign the land over it became an issue for me and we decided against it. They have now said that if we wanted to put a caravan on their land they wouldnt charge for use of the land which is very kind of them.

Im thinking of a fairly new caravan - 2005ish, central heating, double glazing, galvanized chassis etc etc and it really is lovely. The price being £13k.

I have been getting loan quotes and have had some really good feedback at much cheaper monthly payments over 5 years than we would be paying out on renting. Around £300 p/month.

The caravan, even though being on OH land, would be situated a fair distance from the house and would have its own entrance, garden etc etc so it really would feel like our own and most of all - it would be ours

We do hope to start a family in the near future, but not until a large amount of his debt is written off, so in a bout a years time we hope to start trying!

My question is: Has anyone permenantly lived in a caravan, with or without young children? Or does anyone have any opinions on the matter at all. Or do you think we'de look a bit '!!!!!'? I just think that it would be an easy and cheaper option for us at the minute.

Look forward to your responses

Phirefly

Fundamentally, I think what you're considering could be a great idea, I assume you're not talking about it as a forever thing, so why bother to get something that plush? Anyone who would judge you for your living accomodation isn't worth knowing anyway.

I thoroughly reccommend you read Andy Prialulx's autobiogrpahy, he is triple world touring car champion, but started out lving in a caravan. Even if you have no interest in motorsport, its truly inspirational and relevant to your situation.

Staciep88

Thank you, I will have a look at the in a moment. It wouldnt be forever no but I'm thinking of around 5years as this is how long it would take to pay it back. And obviously in 5 years time the caravan will be 8 / 9 years old and if we were going to start a family I wouldnt want to have anything older for safety and 'comfortability' reasons. Also at the end of the 5years atleast it will still be worth a decent amount to sell on again and then we have a little 'nest'.

AJ1982

Not sure if you have considered this already, but as you mention its a "far way" from their house have you considered plumbping for utlities.. Gas, Leccy, Phones, Water... Waste?

johnwayne

Some of the newer caravans are nicer then our home!!

If you would be happy to live in it then there should be no problems.

As for young children then as long as it is safe, clean & heated then there is no problem.

If you think that you would be happy to live with a small amount of space (mind you we've stayed in caravans that have almost as much floor space as our house).

The only things that you should be aware of is planning. As far as I am aware you will need planning permission to site a caravan permanently.

poppysarah

I have a friend who lived in a tiny caravan as a kid with her sister, brother and parents. For about 2 years whilst building a house. She spent a lot of time away from the place joining every sort of club - guides etc.
If it's a nice big one and you've got a garden area go for it. Beware the neighbours though.

barnaby-bear

Staciep88 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I was hoping for everyones honest opinions in this situation:

Me and my OH want to get sorted out in permenant accomodation. We are atm renting my parents second home which is ok for the minute but they are going to start work in there soon and then eventually move in there once they have sold there other house.

My OH is in debt (as you can see from my signature) and I owe a small amount on a 0% credit card and also have a car loan of £185 a month for 36 months, which I can cope with, its not a problem.

Now as my OH has bad credit ratings etc we are only able to get a mortage of £40k which lets be serious - isnt going to get us anywhere. Even though we do have a deposit so that a bit of a pain! We are not interested in this part buy business, it just one big headache.

OH parents have alot of land and originally we were going to build on this land but as they wont sign the land over it became an issue for me and we decided against it. They have now said that if we wanted to put a caravan on their land they wouldnt charge for use of the land which is very kind of them.

Im thinking of a fairly new caravan - 2005ish, central heating, double glazing, galvanized chassis etc etc and it really is lovely. The price being £13k.

I have been getting loan quotes and have had some really good feedback at much cheaper monthly payments over 5 years than we would be paying out on renting. Around £300 p/month.

The caravan, even though being on OH land, would be situated a fair distance from the house and would have its own entrance, garden etc etc so it really would feel like our own and most of all - it would be ours

We do hope to start a family in the near future, but not until a large amount of his debt is written off, so in a bout a years time we hope to start trying!

My question is: Has anyone permenantly lived in a caravan, with or without young children? Or does anyone have any opinions on the matter at all. Or do you think we'de look a bit '!!!!!'? I just think that it would be an easy and cheaper option for us at the minute.

Look forward to your responses

You need planning permission
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cambridgeshire/3957727.stm
Councils have to plan for new families, council tax, rubbish disposal, school places for all new dwellings.... plus they have to enforce planning fairly to be fair to the travellers etc

Staciep88

AJ1982: Yes we have thought about this. They already have a caravan in the field (on the other side) which already plumbed in for everything - even sky! So I take it that it can still be done again - thats the technical bit that OH deals with :P

Johnwayne: Thanks, yes I know some caravans are absolutly gorgeous these days! As mentioned before there is currently a caravan in the field which OH parents have planning permission for. They have planning for 2 caravans but not in the position for where we would want it. I take it we would have to re-apply?

Poppysarah: Yes it a big field and we were hoping to fence a section off for a drive and garden etc and make it look as homely as possible

Staciep88

Barnaby-bear: There is planning permission for 2 caravans but not for in the position of where we want ours so I take it we will have to re-apply?

guppy

Staciep88 wrote: »

Barnaby-bear: There is planning permission for 2 caravans but not for in the position of where we want ours so I take it we will have to re-apply?

Given the amount you stand to save, it might be worth getting a planning consultant. As a rule, I think its fair to say that the planners don't much like caravans, they're not the kind of new housing the government wants to encourage.

If its refused once it might be even harder next time.

angelatgraceland

Staciep88 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I was hoping for everyones honest opinions in this situation:

Now as my OH has bad credit ratings etc we are only able to get a mortage of £40k which lets be serious - isnt going to get us anywhere. Even though we do have a deposit so that a bit of a pain! We are not interested in this part buy business, it just one big headache.

Look forward to your responses

You say you have a deposit-what sort of amount is this? surely it would be better you use this to purchase the caravan than to borrow yet more money?