static caravan law on own property

[bernieeva]

I had had a static caravan on my property since I moved here 25 years ago,
9 years ago the council turned up and said it had to be moved, at the time I was very sick with Cancer, they constantly came with different reasons, effectively they were making my life hell solely because of my nationality, this was well known in this area,
any way, the caravan was rented out to a homeless lady for a while, she was claiming her rent from the council, but with in a couple of weeks of her moving out the planners turned up, saying they had a complaint about the caravan, really! after 15 years,, not counting the fact this is in my garden / yard, and is very difficult to see from the road except in winter when the trees lose the leaves, but we know why they were here any way, when this person moved in and claimed benefits for the rent council tax became payable, when she left I still had to pay council tax, but only half the normal amount, as the council told me after I pointed out it had been here for 15 years, and there was a 10 year rule, That yes they would find it difficult to make me move it, and they tried all sorts, including saying it was not in the curtilage of my home, because a small part of my house has a small garden wall in front, they said that was the curtilage, but they said they could ensure I could never use it, my question is if I am paying council tax all be it at this time only half the cost, is this not legally designated as a residence that is unoccupied, so if I was to start payinf full council tax, Could I move in there to live,
The reason I ask is because my house has fallen into serious disrepair since I got cancer and needs a complete renovation, estimate at the speed I move, the next 5 years, any help appreciated, oh as a final not I did try to get the council tax removed as it was just a caravan in the garden, but the council objected, surprise surprise! many thanks.

[Kati]

Re: static caravan law on own property

you may find this useful ~ http://minihomes.co.uk/planning-for-...es-in-gardens/
[MENTION=39710]des8[/MENTION] [MENTION=71570]R0b[/MENTION] ... any ideas??

[des8]

Re: static caravan law on own property

The fact you have been paying council tax on the caravan as a dwelling makes no difference to its status.

If the change of use to a dwelling was for more than 10 years, residential use has been established.

In any case, if you were to move into the caravan whilst your house was renovated, do you really think the council would try to prevent it?
You're post indicates that even the jobsworth have admitted they would find it difficult to make you move it.
Think what a story that would make in the local papers,

[bernieeva]

Re: static caravan law on own property

Hi, Thank you for your reply,
The caravan has been there for 25 years now, but it has not been used as accommodation for more than 4 years in total, My thoughts on the council tax issue were that as the council objected to the removal of the council tax, they are by default saying it is classed as a residence, as council tax is only payable on residential property, as for them saying I can not live in the caravan, I know with out any doubt at all they will, I have put up with the racial inequality here for 25 years so I am very aware of the differing rules they apply to myself, as opposed to other locals,, every farm around here has at least one caravan many have 2 and most often they are not in the said curtilage of their house but nothing is ever said or done with these people , I had a planning negotiator from Chester down to help, in the end he said this is just incredible,, how can I do any thing when they do not even acknowledge I exist in the end after 2 years he said He could not do any thing to help as all he ever got was the run around and stone walled, These are clearly very corrupt and impossible to deal with people, If I put every thing on this site I have had to put up with, no one would believe in this day and age people can still do and get away with this type of racial harassment ,

[des8]

Re: static caravan law on own property

The council admit they will not be able to make you move it.

How do they propose to stop you actually living in it.
They will need to get a court order, or condemn it as unfit for habitation.

on the other hand why will you not be able to continue living in the property whilst renovating.
I have renovated & rebuilt derelict properties, living in them with a family, whilst work (including complete reroofing) progressed.
Could you possibly do it by combining living partly in house and retreating occasionally to the caravan?


A matter of interest, is it a static caravan (mobile home) or a tourer?

[bernieeva]

Re: static caravan law on own property

we have been living in the property while doing work on ,it, but it is so dusty every thing gets filthy, the only reason we did not use the caravan was because, and I quote what the planning officer said, We may not be able to make you move it but we can make sure you do not get to use it, unquote, My health is not great, having some where clean and tidy to retreat to will be a good thing for our lives, we are not young people,

[des8]

Re: static caravan law on own property

I would just get on and quietly use it as a retreat, making sure that there is a room in the house that looks as if it is being used.
If the planners come knocking show them the room in the house, and that the caravan is used as a bolt hole!

[WandaPeltier]

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