Living in a caravan

deannagone

The two people might face questions about their living arrangments but certainly it does happen that a previously together couple can live seperate lives, but still under the same roof and still claim benefits. This is a recognised thing.  Not everyone can afford to live apart.  Sometimes it can mean the two people are actually trying hard to reduce harm to the family from splitting up also, but things have changed and they have no desire to have the same relationship they once had.  This might mean, the two people require some benefit support temporarily.  I'd remind people that living in a caravan for more than a couple of weeks is not overly pleasant.

Most of the comments on here are inaccurate, and very judgemental.  Couple's do split up.., and may need to claim benefits.  It does not automatically imply they are trying to 'do' the system if they are living seperate lives but still to some degree or other, living under the same roof.  It just means they can't afford to live without benefit support. And judging by the OP, it doesn't sound like we are talking major amounts of money here.

Going by many of the posts, it seems that many people believe if you are on benefits and can't afford to live apart, you shouldn't be allowed to live on benefits.., or maybe you shouldn't split up unless you can afford to live apart without benefit support.  Quite ridiculous.  Of course, someone in this situation should expect to prove they are living independently (not as a formal couple in a continuing relationship, sharing costs etc) but this should never mean they can't claim benefits.  Or be automatically regarded as cheating the system once that proof has been provided.

Mgman1965

I won't comment on the personal level as that's not the query. 

On the practical level.

You will very likely need planning permission even for a caravan as a permanent dwelling (as opposed to storage).

Is this going to be a small touring caravan or a big static caravan ?

Will the caravan be connected to the house for services such as electricity, water and drainage (a mains hookup lead, a hosepipe to the caravans plumbing and waste pipe to a drain).

Thing is,  you can't just live in gardens in unsuitable accommodation (small touring caravans are not really suitable or designed for permanent habitation)

Google "beds in sheds" to give you an insight into its legality. 

elsien

Also consider what it’s going to be like in a normal winter when the temperature is sub zero for periods of time. 

[Deleted User]

No mate you won't get away with it. You are on the grounds living there, doesn't matter if you are in the actual house or not. Assuming you get caught of course but big risk. I know someone who lives in a caravan on a site and even to stay there full time is forbidden. 

SuseOrm

[Deleted User] said:

No mate you won't get away with it. You are on the grounds living there, doesn't matter if you are in the actual house or not. Assuming you get caught of course but big risk. I know someone who lives in a caravan on a site and even to stay there full time is forbidden. 

Who exactly do you think he’s going to get caught by ? 

poppy12345

deannagone said:

The two people might face questions about their living arrangments but certainly it does happen that a previously together couple can live seperate lives, but still under the same roof and still claim benefits. This is a recognised thing.  Not everyone can afford to live apart.  Sometimes it can mean the two people are actually trying hard to reduce harm to the family from splitting up also, but things have changed and they have no desire to have the same relationship they once had.  This might mean, the two people require some benefit support temporarily.  I'd remind people that living in a caravan for more than a couple of weeks is not overly pleasant.

Most of the comments on here are inaccurate, and very judgemental.  Couple's do split up.., and may need to claim benefits.  It does not automatically imply they are trying to 'do' the system if they are living seperate lives but still to some degree or other, living under the same roof.  It just means they can't afford to live without benefit support. And judging by the OP, it doesn't sound like we are talking major amounts of money here.

Going by many of the posts, it seems that many people believe if you are on benefits and can't afford to live apart, you shouldn't be allowed to live on benefits.., or maybe you shouldn't split up unless you can afford to live apart without benefit support.  Quite ridiculous.  Of course, someone in this situation should expect to prove they are living independently (not as a formal couple in a continuing relationship, sharing costs etc) but this should never mean they can't claim benefits.  Or be automatically regarded as cheating the system once that proof has been provided.

100% agree with this. Universal Credit is totally different to what tax credit used to be. For UC people can still live in the same house, with completely different lives and continue to claim UC as single people. They just need to prove that their lives are separate, which would mean paying their own bills, separate bank accounts, buying their own food etc etc. It will then be down to a decision maker at DWP to decide whether they are classed as a couple or not.

As for living in a caravan in the garden, that's a completely different matter.

KeepOnKnitting

poppy12345 said:

deannagone said:

The two people might face questions about their living arrangments but certainly it does happen that a previously together couple can live seperate lives, but still under the same roof and still claim benefits. This is a recognised thing.  Not everyone can afford to live apart.  Sometimes it can mean the two people are actually trying hard to reduce harm to the family from splitting up also, but things have changed and they have no desire to have the same relationship they once had.  This might mean, the two people require some benefit support temporarily.  I'd remind people that living in a caravan for more than a couple of weeks is not overly pleasant.

Most of the comments on here are inaccurate, and very judgemental.  Couple's do split up.., and may need to claim benefits.  It does not automatically imply they are trying to 'do' the system if they are living seperate lives but still to some degree or other, living under the same roof.  It just means they can't afford to live without benefit support. And judging by the OP, it doesn't sound like we are talking major amounts of money here.

Going by many of the posts, it seems that many people believe if you are on benefits and can't afford to live apart, you shouldn't be allowed to live on benefits.., or maybe you shouldn't split up unless you can afford to live apart without benefit support.  Quite ridiculous.  Of course, someone in this situation should expect to prove they are living independently (not as a formal couple in a continuing relationship, sharing costs etc) but this should never mean they can't claim benefits.  Or be automatically regarded as cheating the system once that proof has been provided.

100% agree with this. Universal Credit is totally different to what tax credit used to be. For UC people can still live in the same house, with completely different lives and continue to claim UC as single people. They just need to prove that their lives are separate, which would mean paying their own bills, separate bank accounts, buying their own food etc etc. It will then be down to a decision maker at DWP to decide whether they are classed as a couple or not.

Also agreeing with this. I live in a shared house with a single guy who is on benefits. Two separate bedrooms. Completely separate lives. One roof. No reason why his benefits should be stopped because I earn a living.

sevenhills

You will need a different address or the planning department will be onto you. They may be ok with it, on a temporary basis if you can show building works on the house.

Section62

sevenhills said:

You will need a different address or the planning department will be onto you. They may be ok with it, on a temporary basis if you can show building works on the house.

Having a different address won't mean planning consent isn't required, and if anything may mean the caravan does need planning consent as a separate dwelling - rather than being considered an annex or ancillary to the main property.  The attitude of the neighbours to someone living in a caravan next door may play a big part in the final outcome in planning terms.

Building works on the house won't make any difference to the planning requirements in a case like this.

The OP will need to navigate a path between the caravan and house being seen as one property - or two - for a whole range of issues, for example, Planning, Council Tax, Utilities, Insurance etc - in addition to the UC question. Also, if the property is mortgaged the mortgage company may not be happy with part of the property effectively becoming separately occupied.

molerat

SuseOrm said:

[Deleted User] said:

No mate you won't get away with it. You are on the grounds living there, doesn't matter if you are in the actual house or not. Assuming you get caught of course but big risk. I know someone who lives in a caravan on a site and even to stay there full time is forbidden. 

Who exactly do you think he’s going to get caught by ? 

Some councils have a very active department dealing with cases of people living is sheds and caravans.  All it takes is one neighbour to complain.