[Orinlooper]

Does the planning laws permit living in a tiny house on wheels on agricultural land?

Would you still have to pay council tax?

What if you had solar panels and rain water harvesting systems, would it be possible to live rent free with no bills? Growing most of your own food.

[harmony]

Is that not just a different version of a caravan? If you are living on agricultural land then it needs a change of use.

[mart6]

Agree that would be classed as a caravan and need planning permission

[Orinlooper]

What would happen if you just went ahead and started living there, you may not get found out.

What would happen if you did get found out, how long before you had to move the tiny house?

Then what would happen if you had nowhere to put it and you went past the deadline they gave you?

[oor wullie]

And unfortunately even a tiny caravan with no water conection etc. is still liable for council tax. 

[harmony]

What would happen if you just went ahead and started living there, you may not get found out.

What would happen if you did get found out, how long before you had to move the tiny house?

Then what would happen if you had nowhere to put it and you went past the deadline they gave you?

No you may not get found out but unlikely.


No idea how long exactly to move said house but I would think it would be a matter of months at the most, maybe only weeks.


Passed the deadline I don't know but eventually it would have to go.

[Creagan]

What about a 'hut'?

http://www.thousandhuts.org/?page_id=11

[Marches Farmer]

A dwelling is a dwelling is a .....

[Backinwellies]

You can live off grid if you wish .... but you will still need residential planning for ANY dwelling big, small, wheeled or otherwise .... and you will be liable for council tax. 

[Creagan]

Agreed.
My understanding is that planners are concerned with the whole impact of any new dwelling- not just what it looks like, but whether the local roads, school, etc can handle the proposed increase in population.

[devonlady]

I lived in my small caravan for two years with no fuss, the caravan is still there and no-one has bothered me, but my land is well off the beaten track.
I have one neighbour who lives in a tepee and another in a converted horse box. He was reported and told to move it but he said no and was given a wheelie bin and a council tax bill.
People always say.....what if everyone did this.......but, truly, how many people would want to? Most folk are conventional (and law abiding) and to be truthful it's not the most comfortable way of living so I don't suppose there would be an epidemic of caravans and tents.
Just make sure it is screened from any road/public right of way.
(Why do I feel a wave of indignation coming my way!)

[HappyHippy]

As a wise woman once said to me "nae cheek, nae chance" - what's the worst that could happen?  If they find out, you'll be told to move it. They'll not come and demolish it, not without a protracted legal battle, so as long as you move it if/when they tell you to I'd say go for it.
I'd love to live in a tiny house (or yurt) completely off grid, but with 4 kids and a husband all hard wired to the modem and a love of big bouncy dogs, I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. Good luck 

[doganjo]

You can live off grid if you wish .... but you will still need residential planning for ANY dwelling big, small, wheeled or otherwise .... and you will be liable for council tax.

Wonder how Russ does it (Rustyme)?

[mart6]

As a wise woman once said to me "nae cheek, nae chance" - what's the worst that could happen?  If they find out, you'll be told to move it. They'll not come and demolish it, not without a protracted legal battle, so as long as you move it if/when they tell you to I'd say go for it.
I'd love to live in a tiny house (or yurt) completely off grid, but with 4 kids and a husband all hard wired to the modem and a love of big bouncy dogs, I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. Good luck 

If the council tell you to move it , and you do not in the majority of cases they serve a enforcement notice.
They will give you a period of time to move it
Say 3 - 6 months if its a home allowing time to relocate.
If you do not agree you can appeal the enforcement notice within 30 days.
Then it can drag on for another year or so, if you appeal and its on planning it goes a bit quicker 3-6  months.

But even if you loose you can apply for extension to remove it planning inspectors often allow 9-12 months for relocation.

Thats if you get reported

If its a caravan you need 10 years residential use before a enforcement notice is served
If you say converted a barn and lived in it for 4 years as your home.

In both cases if its proved the use becomes immune from prosecution or forced removal

[pgkevet]

...just claim you're a traveller. If they serve notice to move then move onto a neighbours field. When he finally gets eviction notices you move back... and so it goes on. Oh, and they'll need a helicopter and several police cars and vans and dogs before they consider serving any notice. Oh, and you don't have to pay any taxes, insurances , road fund licenses and can help yourself to any neighours goods and property without redress....