My family live in a static caravan - we save loads of money on bills & its great if you cant g
A MUM-OF-THREE has shared the benefits of living in a static caravan and how it's a great option for up to 12 months for those struggling to get on the housing market.
As a growing number of Brits are finding it close to impossible to buy their first property, mum Kate shared how she's found the best alternative for her.
Together with her partner Mark, Kate bought a static caravan on a holiday site with their three children - Jack, Fred and Ivy, lovingly grouped as the ''Caravan Winkles''.
The family-of-five moved into the caravan site in March and Kate has been very open about the daily life of living there on the family's TikTok page, @thechartersvan.
And it seems that there are more than just a few pros to this, for instance - if you buy a static caravan as a holiday dwelling but have a permanent registered address, Kate says in her circumstance you can saving moneyon bill such as water and council tax.
According to Kate the reason she doesn't have to fork out for council tax is because she has a registered address away from her holiday caravan and unlike residential permanent static caravans or park homes, suggests she pays council tax on that registered home instead of her caravan rental.
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On the site she is currently staying, Kate says she can be there 10.5 months of the year.
On her Welsh holiday site, water is also included with her monthly pitch rental of around £300.
Sharing her experience so far, the mum-of-three went on: ''If you are a first-time buyer and you are struggling to get on the housing market because the mortgages are so expensive and deposits are so expensive, buy a static caravan,
''They're a lot cheaper.''
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Whilst many may think of this more affordable alternative with some scepticism, Kate insisted that a static caravan can last as long as any other house - if looked after.
''It's more fun - and you can be in such a wonderful place like this,'' said the mum whilst showing the green landscape in the background.
According to Kate, whose TikTok page has won the family-of-five more than 200 followers there are also no strings attached.
''If you just decide you want to f**k off or you can now afford to get a house, you would have this as an asset that you can let out and make money from.''
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The mum-of-three added that typically a ''good'' static caravan will set you back by £35k - which is also just the deposit for the average house in the UK.
''Nowadays the interest rate is SO high that you end up paying back masses and must hold a full-time position in order to renew OR just pay it every month. It's just not sustainable.
'' I don't pay council tax on the caravan as we have a separate registered address (as you need on a holiday site) that is liable for council tax."
Caravans and council tax
According to UK government guidance:
Where a caravan is used as a person’s sole or main residence, it will generally be subject to Council Tax, for which the resident or owner of the caravan or park home will be liable.
Caravans on seasonal or holiday parks will not be subject to Council Tax (unless used as a person’s sole or main residence). Instead, the owner of the caravan site will be liable to pay non-domestic rates for the whole site.
*More here.
It seems that Kate's video and nomad lifestyle have inspired many, as viewers flocked to comments to share their thoughts.
One said: ''I've been looking into this for years but can't find anywhere that takes on residential all year round locally.''
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Another penned: ''I would love to buy a caravan but I don't even have that money. wish I could just rent one.''
Someone else wrote: ''All of my local sites are over 55’s so as a 28 year old - can’t do it. considering narrow boats now instead!''
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