One of the biggest perks of vanlife is freedom. No rent, no fixed address, no daily commute. But freedom doesn’t always mean freedom from bills, and one of the most common questions I hear from new and aspiring vanlifers in the UK is: do you have to pay council tax if you live in a motorhome?
The short answer is: usually no, but it depends on how and where you live in your motorhome.
If you’re travelling full-time and not tied to a fixed plot of land, council tax generally won’t apply. But if your motorhome is parked long-term on a residential site or piece of land, things can get a bit more complicated. Let’s break it down properly so you know what to expect.
What is Council Tax and Why Does it Matter?
Council tax is a local tax collected by councils to pay for services like rubbish collection, street lighting, libraries, and schools. It’s charged on domestic properties — houses, flats, bungalows, even some houseboats and permanent caravans.
If you’re living in something that counts as a permanent residence in the eyes of the council, you’ll usually need to pay it. But a motorhome, by default, isn’t considered a fixed property. It’s a vehicle.
That’s where the grey area begins.
When You Don’t Need to Pay Council Tax in a Motorhome
In most cases, motorhome dwellers don’t pay council tax. Here are some examples:
- Full-time travellers: If you’re constantly on the move, using campsites, wild camping spots, or touring Europe, you’re not tied to one local authority. Your motorhome is a vehicle, not a residence in the legal sense.
- Short-term camping: Staying on campsites, CLs (Certified Locations), or wild camping spots doesn’t make you liable for council tax. You’re essentially a visitor, not a resident.
- Temporary living: If you’re between homes and staying in your van for a few weeks or months, councils don’t expect you to register for tax just for that.
In these situations, your biggest costs are usually fuel, insurance, MOT, road tax, and campsite fees — not council tax.
When You Might Need to Pay Council Tax
There are some circumstances where you could become liable:
- Permanent pitch on a residential site
If you live year-round on a licensed residential caravan or motorhome site, your pitch may fall under council tax. The site itself is usually banded by the Valuation Office Agency, and residents pay council tax just like in a house. - Motorhome parked on private land
If your motorhome is stationed long-term on your own land or someone else’s, and it’s being used as your primary residence, the council might consider it taxable. It often depends on whether the land is residential and has planning permission for permanent living. - Converted motorhome as a fixed dwelling
Some people register their self-built conversions as motor caravans with the DVLA but then use them permanently on one spot. If it looks and acts more like a static home, the council could decide it’s a residence.
The key thing to understand is: it’s not the motorhome itself that gets taxed, it’s the land or site where it’s based.
What About Using a Friend’s or Family’s Address?
A lot of vanlifers solve the council tax question by keeping a “home address” with family or friends. This doesn’t mean you’re dodging tax — it just means the household you’re registered at continues to pay their usual bill.
For example:
- You register your driving licence, bank, and GP at your parents’ house
- You live mostly on the road in your van
- Your parents keep paying their council tax, and nothing changes for you
This is completely normal and perfectly legal. The main downside is that you don’t have the same independence as having your own registered residence, but for most vanlifers it works just fine.
Practical Advice for Motorhome Dwellers
Over the years I’ve spoken with other vanlifers, campsite owners, and even a couple of council officers. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- If you’re mobile, you’re fine: Councils can’t charge tax on a vehicle that doesn’t stay put.
- If you want to settle, check permissions first: Don’t assume you can just park your motorhome in a field and live there without tax or planning considerations. Councils can (and do) take enforcement action.
- Consider your postal address: For everything from voting to DVLA documents, you’ll need a stable address. Most vanlifers use family, a trusted friend, or a mail-forwarding service.
- Be honest with yourself about lifestyle: If you’re genuinely travelling, tax won’t apply. If you’ve basically turned your motorhome into a static caravan, expect it might.
Examples from the Road
- Touring couple: A pair I met in Cornwall had been travelling for two years full-time. They used her sister’s address for post, never stayed more than a few weeks in one place, and had never been asked about council tax.
- Static motorhome on farmland: Another vanlifer in Devon parked his motorhome on his uncle’s land. The council got wind of it and told them they’d need planning permission. Once granted, the property was banded for council tax.
- Residential site living: Friends of mine live permanently on a licensed residential park in their motorhome. They pay council tax just like the other residents. It’s a much more settled version of vanlife, but it works for them.
So, Do You Have to Pay?
To put it simply:
- No council tax if you’re travelling, wild camping, or moving between sites.
- Yes, council tax if your motorhome is parked permanently on a residential site or piece of land and is used as your full-time home.
Think of it like this: the more your vanlife looks like traditional home ownership, the more likely the council will want their share.
Living in a motorhome gives you incredible freedom, but it also means navigating a few grey areas when it comes to paperwork. Council tax is one of those things that worries a lot of people starting out, but in practice it’s not a big issue for most vanlifers.
If you’re planning to stay mobile, you can relax — you won’t be getting a surprise tax bill just for living in your van. If you want to settle somewhere long-term, make sure you understand the local rules before committing.
Have you had any experience with council tax and motorhome living? Drop a comment below — I’d love to hear your stories and tips.
And if you found this useful, check out my other guides on vanlife costs, planning your first big trip, and the hidden realities of life on the road.