A YOUNG woman has revealed that she moved onto a caravan park five months ago and no longer has to pay council tax.
Not only this, but now every day is a holiday for Katrina, who is able to take advantage of the park’s swimming pool and sauna.
Although it costs half of the price of her old flat , the woman, who lives in the south of England , took to social media to open up on the benefits and drawbacks of living on a holiday park.
The brunette beauty , who bought her caravan outright and spends just £528 a month on her pitch, bills and insurance , revealed the big downside that many people don’t know about, leaving many totally stunned.
As she gave her followers a look inside her caravan , she said: “I gave up bricks and mortar and chose to move into a caravan five months ago now and since then, I have non-stop been asked how to start this life.
“I think there are some pros to living on a holiday park – including no council tax , there’s often more fun facilities.
“The fact that you can’t stay there all year round can either be seen as a pro or a con – my holiday park is [open] 11 months and I really like the fact that I have to go for a month, it means that I’m gonna travel for at least a month a year.”
But getting candid on the unknown negative side of living in a caravan, the content creator , who has amassed 29,900 followers since opening up about her life in a caravan , Katrina opened up on the address issue living in a caravan can pose.
She added: “There are some downsides too – you do have to have another residential address to assign to your GP , bank, important things, so if you’re selling your residential address to move into a caravan, you will need to have someone in your life that is ok with you perhaps staying there occasionally and registering it as your address.”
Not only this, but she also added: “If you do choose a holiday park, know that you have less legal protection, so you really need to choose the right site – you have to do your research.”
Those looking to do the same as Katrina should be aware that living full-time in a caravan on a holiday park can be legally tricky in the UK , especially if you’re treating it as your main residence.
Holiday parks are not legally allowed to be your permanent residence, as like Katrina recognised, they usually have rules and licenses from the local council that restrict how long you can stay.
As well as this, when living in a caravan , you’ll usually have a license agreement, not a tenancy, which means you don’t have tenant rights.
Plus, the site owner can usually terminate your agreement with little notice, depending on the terms.
If you want to stay at a caravan site long-term , you should consider parks that offer residential status (with a proper site license), look for a park that follows the Mobile Homes Act 1983 and get any agreement in writing and read the small print.
How much does it cost to live in a caravan?
LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs:
Initial Costs
- Caravan Purchase: £8,000 – £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition)
- Caravan Insurance: £200 – £800 per year
Ongoing Monthly Costs
- Pitch Fees: £150 – £600 (varies by location and facilities)
- Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 – £120
- Maintenance and Repairs: £20 – £80
- Internet and TV: £20 – £50
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 – £40
Other Potential Costs
- Waste Disposal Fees: £8 – £25
- Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance
- Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 – £1,600 (one-time)
Sample Monthly Budget
- Pitch Fees: £400
- Utilities: £80
- Maintenance and Repairs: £40
- Internet and TV: £40
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25
- Total: £585
Annual Estimated Cost
- Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020
- Insurance: £500
- Maintenance and Repairs: £480
- Total Annual Cost: £8,000
Tips to Save
- Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons.
- DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself.
- Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs.
While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.
Additionally, Katrina claimed that small, family-run caravan sites are “always better” than bigger sites and acknowledged the importance of checking every park’s rules.
She also stressed the significance of asking “for projection of site fees going forward” and advised those looking to move to a caravan site to “talk to people who have lived on the site for a long time.”
Social media users react
Katrina’s TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ katrinascaravan , has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 93,300 views, 2,099 likes and 37 comments.
One person said: “I have done this for five months too, I love it. So cheap.”
This is something I’d love to do with my kids
TikTok user
Another added: “Great vid.”
A third commented: “Wow, much admiration to you.”
Meanwhile, one parent gushed: “This is something I’d love to do with my kids .”
