What is it with new houses and Motorhomes?

[G7UXG]

We’ve got a 5 year old house, bought when new. It’s got a 10 metre x 4 metre drive on one side of the house. Room to build another drive on the other side of the house, which we have, and so we have space for parking a large motorhome (8.9 metres) and at least 4 cars in addition. Plus a single garage.

No window obstructions and no inconvenience to the neighbours. In fact, one of them loves it there because it doesn’t move in and out all day with doors banging.

I think we‘ve been very lucky to find it, just where we wanted to live.

 

[cyberyacht]

Last house had space for 3x2 cars. Currently two cars and MH Max 6.5m. House had integral garage. Now a dining room with a 18 x 10 garage built adjoining. Bonus is less gardening.

 

[GeeCee]

Been browsing new homes and thinking about moving.

Seems hardly any new houses have sufficient parking area for a motorhome. I get that, space is precious. However, even the ones that do (corner plots etc) have covenants on prohibiting commercial vehicles (understood), caravans (understood) and MOTORHOMES (Scandalous). When we enquire it seems to be a blanket no!

Anyone had a good experience?

Not had a good experience but can echo yours completely regarding new-builds in South Manchester/East Cheshire area.

 

[Bubba]

Moved into our place in 93 and the solicitor was at pains to tell me the only existing covenant was "No raising sheep on the land"
He assumed the original land belonged to a sheep farmer and they didn't want competition.
On the front I fit 3 cars a 6mtr motorhome and a large box trailer. So don't have the room to raise sheep.

 

[gpat]

Moved into our place in 93 and the solicitor was at pains to tell me the only existing covenant was "No raising sheep on the land"
He assumed the original land belonged to a sheep farmer and they didn't want competition.
On the front I fit 3 cars a 6mtr motorhome and a large box trailer. So don't have the room to raise sheep.

Ewe did well there!

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[dunnah01]

One of the priorities was the plot size when we bought our doer upper a couple of yeas ago. Room to park 2 cars, an excavator and a cherryicker and still room to turn the 7.5m motorhome around so I can drive in and out without backing on or off the road

 

[GMLS]

I think buying a new house is riskier than buying a new motorhome. I work in the Construction industry. I'd suggest most people that do don't buy new houses based on conversations. BTW, mine was built in 1873, no covenants and has a long gravel drive just waiting for the new m/h. I think my house will be another year older before it arrives though.

 

[Jake Royd]

We looked at new houses in Malvern where we now live.
I asked about motorhomes.
They said we will have a look at it and basically if it's smart enough we might let you park it.
We bought another 1960's house

 

[Michael Rennison]

We've not got a garage but the Motorhome fits on the drive with the scooter and VW TCross next to it. Slight overhang onto the pavement but we only park overnight to load.

We've been here a year and a half and the deal breaker for our move was fitting the Motorhome on the drive. We rocked up to several viewings with tape measure in hand. It drove the Estate Agents spare.

 

[Boo and Goo]

Been browsing new homes and thinking about moving.

Seems hardly any new houses have sufficient parking area for a motorhome. I get that, space is precious. However, even the ones that do (corner plots etc) have covenants on prohibiting commercial vehicles (understood), caravans (understood) and MOTORHOMES (Scandalous). When we enquire it seems to be a blanket no!

Anyone had a good experience?

No, we live on Suffolk:Norfolk border and wanted a circa 90’s bungalow. Quality build yet still room for our Autosleeper and a car. There’s about 4 other MHers near us too!

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[KiwiKampers]

I remember there was a character in Coronation Street who somehow managed to park her motorhome on the cobbles just round the corner from the Rovers Return.
I read the other day that soon every home in Britain will have 7 recycle bins. That’s the equivalent space of a small motorhome.
My problem, when house hunting, was finding a drive that was flat. Eventually, we found a house where the previous owners had a large trailer boat which they “tethered” to a retaining wall to prevent it rolling down the sloping drive. Unfortunately, it was still too much of an angle for our motorhome and the Thetford fridge would not work, so we paid a huge amount of money to flatten the parking area.
I am impressed with the retirement villages in my town. They have a corner of the developments designated for motorhome and boat storage. I still wouldn’t want to live in one though!

 

[enark]

Moved into a new build last year, drive easily fits our 7m MH plus 2 cars, with a further space for 2 cars at the turn in.

covenants say no vehicles over 2.25t, so yes we are breaking that, but so is the bloke up the road with a disco, and the other feller with an x5….also we have a shed…..again not permitted under the covenants….but nor are greenhouses, more than two pets, cars parked anywhere but drives etc etc

so some new builds do..

my bugbear is that although we have an EV charging point, we can’t get an EV tariff….grrrr

 

[poppycamper]

Buy a new build...NEVER.
Our house built in 1895 is still standing and although we live in the center of a small village we have plenty of parking and 3/4 acre garden.
The reason I would never buy a new build is that, we have lived here nearly 40yrs and folk who bought new builds around us (not same builders) after we moved here are already complaining that there "dream homes" are already falling apart.
Covenant... what's that?

 

[Manxcat]

We're not allowed goats or hens by covenant. House built 1895. Just Saying.

 

[POH]

We have been thinking of downsizing and went to a Redrow site to look around and I asked the sales person about putting a MH on a drive and she said they are not allowed on any of their sites so i asked about a corner plot where I could put the MH in the rear garden and she still said no but after reading this thread I might look onto this further as that might be the answer to our move .

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[enark]

Buy a new build...NEVER.
Our house built in 1895 is still standing and although we live in the center of a small village we have plenty of parking and 3/4 acre garden.
The reason I would never buy a new build is that, we have lived here nearly 40yrs and folk who bought new builds around us (not same builders) after we moved here are already complaining that there "dream homes" are already falling apart.
Covenant... what's that?

Our last house was built in 1600 odd, no insulation, no damp course, rubbish windows, no heating other than log burner, 14th edition wiring, the list goes on….so that’s been demolished as that was all it was worth doing with.

new build has everything the old one didn’t have plus loads more…..

 

[Fdhadi]

Convenants are there so the house builder can sell all the houses without potential buyers being put off by commercial vehicles or caravans. Generally you cannot put up a For Sale sign on a previously purchased property until all the properties have been sold.


Our house was built in 1995 and had space for 4 vehicles on the drive and a double garage.
We have had the drive extended and can now fit 7 vehicles (5 including the motorhome) on the drive and yes, both my wife and I put are cars in the garage.

Out of common courtesy, when I bring the motorhome home from storage, I always knock and explain to the closest neighbour how long it will be there. She says she is honestly not bothered, it is not affecting her in any way and to keep it there as long as I like.

 

[Pausim]

Convenants are there so the house builder can sell all the houses without potential buyers being put off by commercial vehicles or caravans.

That really should be “sometimes covenants” etc. It is not always the case and you have to be careful to make sure that there are no long term covenants that will stop you doing what you want to do. They often create rights and responsibilities for all purchasers that go on indefinitely.

 

[poppycamper]

OK a question please...
I understand what a covenant is, but who is responsible for placing said covenant...
Builders, land owners, local authorities.
And do covanents apply in Scotland.. can't say I have ever heard much about them up here...or do we just have a differant name for them.. ( like most things!).

 

[enark]

OK a question please...
I understand what a covenant is, but who is responsible for placing said covenant...
Builders, land owners, local authorities.
And do covanents apply in Scotland.. can't say I have ever heard much about them up here...or do we just have a differant name for them.. ( like most things!).

My understanding is it’s the developer (here in England), and that they are mainly for their benefit in order to market the properties, it then have little relevance after.

on this development, they say no sheds…..really, at least six of us already have a shed, and a couple with greenhouses too.

going forward they probably will get forgotten, unless someone is not relatively sensible.

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[Coastal Cruiser.]

Last 3 house I built I put the standard no lorries, sat dishes on the front plus no livestock.
If anyone wants to change it I have to agree.
Pretty sure it cannot be enforced if I was not around.
I think Chris dwals in this sort of stuff so would know about covenants.

 

[Pausim]

OK a question please...
I understand what a covenant is, but who is responsible for placing said covenant...
Builders, land owners, local authorities.
And do covanents apply in Scotland.. can't say I have ever heard much about them up here...or do we just have a differant name for them.. ( like most things!).

In Scotland restrictive covenants are known as “real burdens” and there are probably all sorts of different rules involved.

In England restrictive covenants can be imposed by a landowner when selling land. They might be short term ones to protect a developer whilst he is marketing neighbouring properties. They might also be permanent ones that impose rights and restrictions that run with the land. There is no easy cover all answer you have to read the deeds for individual properties to know whether they are temporary or permanent.

 

[poppycamper]

In Scotland restrictive covenants are known as “real burdens” and there are probably all sorts of different rules involved.

In England restrictive covenants can be imposed by a landowner when selling land. They might be short term ones to protect a developer whilst he is marketing neighbouring properties. They might also be permanent ones that impose rights and restrictions that run with the land. There is no easy cover all answer you have to read the deeds for individual properties to know whether they are temporary or permanent.

Sounds as though it could, UK wide be a minefield.. Glad I ain't got any.

 

[gpat]

I remember there was a character in Coronation Street who somehow managed to park her motorhome on the cobbles just round the corner from the Rovers Return.
I read the other day that soon every home in Britain will have 7 recycle bins. That’s the equivalent space of a small motorhome.
My problem, when house hunting, was finding a drive that was flat. Eventually, we found a house where the previous owners had a large trailer boat which they “tethered” to a retaining wall to prevent it rolling down the sloping drive. Unfortunately, it was still too much of an angle for our motorhome and the Thetford fridge would not work, so we paid a huge amount of money to flatten the parking area.
I am impressed with the retirement villages in my town. They have a corner of the developments designated for motorhome and boat storage. I still wouldn’t want to live in one though!

She is still a character. Mary.

 

[poppycamper]

She is still a character. Mary.

Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith) did the same in the 2015 film "The Lady In The Van"
And was Frank Callagher's parking of his camper in his backyard ( obviously it would bother him ) covanent free.

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[Guigsy]

If there's no lease hold and the developer has moved on, then the covenants are to your neighbours. They can take you to court for breaking them. You've got to have very petty neighbours with enough money to stump up legal fees.

 

[poppycamper]

If there's no lease hold and the developer has moved on, then the covenants are to your neighbours. They can take you to court for breaking them. You've got to have very petty neighbours with enough money to stump up legal fees.

As said in #53... A Mine Field..

 

[gpat]

She is still a character. Mary.

 

[ceejayt]

Yes and those that do have a garage where it’s hardly wide enough to get the car in it, and you can only open the door 12 inches once inside

We looked at a house with a garage under the first floor. Unusable unless we were willing to knock a doorway through to the hall at the exact position the car door would be when parked in the garage. Hilarious. How can they call it a garage ?

 

[Coolcats]

Most houses have garages suitable for cars which were built in the 70’s and 80’s mini, Hilman imp cortina etc. it’s amazing how cats have puffed up which in the main for the smaller cars has been for safety (Side impact for example) and the rise of the child carrier (4x4) and all the paraphernalia claimed that is needed for a baby. Todays cars may fit into a garage but you have to push them in and out.

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