Park motorhome outside house: complete legal guide

So you’ve finally bought the motorhome of your dreams. But unless you’re very lucky, you’re unlikely to be able to be out in it and on the road 365 days of the year. So it’s no surprise that we often get the question “Can I park my motorhome outside my house?”. Read on for everything you need to know about parking your motorhome when it’s not in use!

Can I park my motorhome outside my house?

Yes – unless someone’s living in the motorhome, there’s no law saying motorhomes can’t be kept outside residences. However, you’ll need to consider factors such as access, driveway space, motorhome security and neighbourly relations. A neighbour can object if your motorhome blocks access or light, and legally you have to disclose neighbour disputes if you want to sell your home.

One way you could be stopped from keeping a motorhome on your drive if it’s forbidden by your property’s title deeds, as some specifically exclude caravans/RVs. These clauses are added by a developer or a previous owner of the land, and can be checked by the Land Registry entry for your home.

Even if the land isn’t or wasn’t privately owned, some new build areas like estates or council-owned housing might add a clause like this in their ownership or tenancy agreement. Check before you buy your motorhome! You’ll also need to make sure that the tax and MOT for your motorhome are always up to date.

Factors to consider when parking my motorhome outside my house

Driveway space

The first and most obvious factor to consider if you’re thinking of parking your motorhome outside your house – will it fit? It’s the tight fits of just a few inches’ grace that you need to really watch out for – it’ll be counterproductive arriving home from a relaxing motorhome holiday and having to white-knuckle your way into your driveway!

Take careful measurements, making extra allowance for driveway parts like jutting hedges or narrower paths. Remember to check that part of your motorhome won’t hang over the road too, and that trees won’t be in the way. Think of height as well as width/length.

Access

Similar to above, make sure you’ll be easily able to access your motorhome when you want it, and return it simply and safely to its spot. Is the road outside your house big enough to drive the motorhome onto without complicated manoeuvering?

Another thing to consider is if your driveway is on a slight slope, meaning that the underside of your motorhome could scrape against the ground when you’re driving it in or out. Adding ramps – removable or fixed – will help here.

Neighbours

While you don’t need planning permission to park a motorhome outside your house, it’s a good idea to keep on the right side of your neighbours. We’d always recommend letting your neighbours know that you’re buying a motorhome and intend to keep it on your driveway, rather than just plonking it outside your house with no discussion.

A neighbour will need grounds to object to a motorhome being kept outside a house, such as the motorhome causing an obstruction or blocking out the light at their home. If you can’t come to an amicable agreement, and if there’s a clause in your title deeds preventing motorhomes, your neighbour could in theory take you to court. In practice, this would be time consuming and expensive for them, and your motorhome would still be on your driveway as the proceedings went on.

But is having bad neighbourly relations worth the stress? (And, as above, you’ll have to declare any dispute if you want to sell your home.) We recommend arranging to keep your motorhome elsewhere if your neighbour really objects to it being outside your house.

Alternatives to parking my motorhome outside my house

So if you don’t want to, or can’t, park your motorhome outside your house, what other options are there?

The most easily accessible is a motorhome storage facility, ideally one registered with the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA). This organisation was formed in 1999 to help combat caravan and motorhome theft. Its 450 accredited caravan storage sites are independently assessed for security features, access and amenities (that said, never pay for storage at a facility without visiting it first).

You could also keep your motorhome at a campsite, either in its own storage facility or on a seasonal pitch. Seasonal pitches are generally for six or seven months and are available all over the country. Check sites like the Camping and Caravanning Club to find a motorhome storage facility or a motorhome seasonal pitch that works for you.

Another option is with a local landowner or farmer, most commonly found through word of mouth. This will usually cost less than an official storage site, but offers less peace of mind.

But what if you could make money from your motorhome while not using it, instead of shelling out on storage? The most lucrative option to keep your motorhome safe and accessible is to hire it out – making up to £10,000 a year! List your motorhome on Camplify – for free – to connect with holidaymakers from the UK and all over the world, keeping it on the road and not gathering dust on your driveway.

Earn some income on the side with Camplify

As we’ve laid out, it’s not illegal to park your motorhome outside your house. But why risk hassle from neighbours or fork out storage fees when you could be making money instead?

Browse ourUK motorhome for hire listings such as the Upminster motorhome above to see how other owners are putting their motorhomes to the best use possible. This could be you!

Why Camplify?

Camplify connects owners like you with local and international holidaymakers - all of whom are verified to maximise the safety when you hire out your motorhome. Discover more of our advantages for owners below:

• It's free to list your motorhome.

• If you don’t have all-risk insurance, we can provide you with it when you sign up.

• We give your van a 24/7 RAC breakdown cover.

• You have complete freedom to approve or reject guests interested in renting your motorhome. Your wheels, your rules.

• We provide you with tips and step-by-step guides on how to improve your service and your vehicle to get more and more bookings!

See how much you could earn if you rent out your motorhome with ourfree income calculator or sign up now to start enjoying the above advantages today.

If you still have questions, want to discuss your income potential with an expert or get more information on how to list your vehicle, call us on ☎ 0330 808 1811 or visit www.camplify.co.uk. We’ll be happy to help you with anything you need!