Guide to motorhome habitation checks

What is a habitation check on a motorhome? Simply put, it’s an official inspection carried out by a specialist motorhome and caravan engineer to ensure that a motorhome is suitable for habitation. It’s often a mandatory part of motorhome insurance, and looks at features like fire and safety, electrical systems and water systems.

Note that a habitation check isn’t an MOT – it looks at the living or habitation areas of the vehicle (the “back end”), not the engine or general roadworthiness.

Below, we explain what a motorhome habitation check is in detail, when it’s recommended, how much it costs and why it’s a great idea.

What is a habitation check on a motorhome?

A habitation check (or hab check) on a motorhome is an inspection of whether the motorhome is fit and safe to stay in. A check will look at the habitation area of a motorhome and inspect dozens of elements from window locks to boilers.

Habitation checks for caravans and motorhomes will inspect the following motorhome features:

• Fire risk, including fire extinguishers and fire blankets

• Ventilation and gas systems, including any gas appliance

• Water systems

• Electrical systems

• Bodywork and underbody (steps, underslung pipes and tanks)

• Floor

• Furniture

• Motorhome boiler

• Motorhome leisure battery

• Problem areas like damp

A motorhome habitation service must be carried out by a specialist motorhome and caravan engineer/mobile service engineer from the Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS). This collaborative scheme of the National Caravan Council, the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club listsapproved workshops for motorhome habitation checks.

After the check is completed, the motorhome owner will receive a detailed report after the check, highlighting features that need to be fixed, added or modified.

How often does a motorhome need a habitation check?

How often a motorhome needs a habitation check is almost as important a question as “What is a habitation check on a motorhome?”

Practice varies on this – some motorhomers prefer to get a full hab check every year, while others arrange one every couple of years and have the gas system checked in the meantime. Ifhiring out a motorhome, annual habitation checks are a good idea.

5 reasons why you should get a habitation check on a motorhome

Unless requested by your motorhome insurance company, habitation checks aren’t a legal requirement in the UK. However, we strongly recommend getting one regularly, either every year or every two years. There are loads of advantages to this:

1. Retaining your investment

Your motorhome is a huge investment. Regular checks will help it maintain as much value as possible, meaning you can optimise its resale value.

2. Cost effectiveness

Similarly, a motorhome habitation check will greatly help in locating potential problems in your vehicle before they become a problem. Don’t wait until something’s gone wrong in your motorhome which could be costly and difficult to fix.

3. Safety

The three main safety elements of your motorhome’s back end are gas, water and electricity. All these elements will move around when the motorhome is on the road, so it’s essential that they’re regularly checked.

4. Keeping your motorhome warranty valid

Motorhome manufacturers require annual habitation checks on new motorhomes to keep the manufacturer warranty valid.

5. Making your motorhome more attractive to hirers

If a hirer has a choice between two same-priced and same-range motorhomes, one with a hab check and one without, they’re likely to choose the one with the recent check. Give your hirers and yourself full peace of mind by knowing that your motorhome is in top condition.

How much is a habitation check for a motorhome?

A mobile habitation check for a motorhome (i.e. at your own location rather than a service centre) is £199 viaHabcheck, the UK’s leading mobile motorhome habitation check provider. The Habcheck price is a good rule of thumb for motorhome habitation check costs, which are usually around £200+.

This is a small price to pay for complete peace of mind and to ensure your motorhome guests are safe and comfortable in your vehicle.

Make back the cost of your motorhome habitation check

So the answer to ‘What is a habitation check on a motorhome?’: An essential part of your motorhome maintenance. Plus, the habitation check will pay for itself once you hire out your motorhome – just one or two hire trips should easily cover your hab check costs!

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 hiring your motorhome. Your wheels, your rules.

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

The sooner you set up your listing, the sooner it will start to receive visits and bookings! See how much you could earn if you hire 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 motorhome, call us on ☎ 0330 808 1811 or visit www.camplify.co.uk. We’ll be happy to help you with anything you need!