What Is a Habitation Check?

15th October 2021

What Is A

Habitation Check?

Servicing a motorhome is a normal part of ownership. Motorhome owners routinely have their vehicles serviced for both mechanics and habitation.
‍
Habitation servicing is a service that relates to the interior components of a motorhome. It deals with things like plumbing, electrics, climate control and so on. The other side of the coin is mechanical servicing. This relates to the components that keep your motorhome on the road, things like the engine and transmission.
‍
A habitation check is extremely important in guaranteeing the comfort, safety, and longevity of any motorhome.

What Does a Habitation Check Consist Of?

A thorough habitation check is all about keeping your motorhome safe and comfortable. The most comprehensive habitation checks look at the following things:

1. Water & Plumbing

All water and plumbing systems are checked for leaks. A more thorough examination may be performed if there is any reason to believe plumbing systems are damaged. A technician will inspect all water taps and wastewater discharges. They will inspect the toilet and seal and, if installed, the wet heating system.

2. Electrics

Electrical systems and components are inspected during a habitation check. The check includes looking at all internal and external lights along with their sockets. Technicians also check circuit breakers and all electrical appliances, such as refrigerators.

3. Gas Systems

Just like water and electrics must be checked, so must a motorhome's gas systems. Technicians thoroughly inspect gas systems in order to identify any leaks. They also inspect ventilation, safety features built into the system, and all appliances that run on gas. This includes a gas-fuelled water heater.

4. Fire and CO Detectors

A habitation check includes testing fire and CO detectors to make sure they are in good working order. If a motorhome is equipped with fire extinguishers, these will be examined as well. An expired extinguisher would need to be recharged or replaced.

5. Damp Check

Finally, a damp check is included with every comprehensive habitation check. This procedure is intended to reveal any dampness inside a motorhome before it causes too much damage. Technicians expect to find at least some moisture, but readings that seem excessively high could indicate that water is getting into the unit through windows, doors, or vents.
‍
Ventilation is also examined to make sure it is working properly. Poor ventilation can result in dampness trapped inside the motorhome. Any such dampness would need to be addressed as quickly as possible.

Habitation Check Frequency

Annual checks are recommended. They’re especially important if you only get your motorhome out a few times per year. Keep in mind that a lack of use makes it more difficult to uncover minor problems quickly enough to prevent them from becoming major issues. It’s also important to note that annual habitation checks are required to maintain any manufacturer warranties.
‍
As to when you should have a habitation check performed, it is up to you. The busiest time of the year is spring. People looking to get their motorhomes back on the road bring them in for service. If you are not interested in competing for an appointment during spring, you can schedule your habitation check during the autumn or winter.

Is a Habitation Check a Legal Requirement?

At the current time, there are no laws requiring UK motorhome owners to have habitation checks on a regular basis. However, regular habitation checks do help your motorhome remain comfortable and lessen the risk of problems occurring whilst on the road.
‍
Also note that if you rent out your motorhome or loan it to others, it is your responsibility to ensure safety. You are required to make sure the motorhome's gas and electrical systems do not pose any threat to users.

Habitation Check Cost

Here at Brownhills if you are a member of Club Brownhills, your starting price for a habitation check is £315. The starting price for non-members is £350.
‍
Starting prices refer to the cost of the check without any repair work being added. If your motorhome does require additional work to bring it up to industry standards, the cost for the repair and parts are added on if you wish to proceed with them.

Happy, Safe, and Comfortable Motoring

Hopefully, you now understand the basics of habitation checks. You understand what they entail, why they are performed, and why you should try to book one in on an annual basis.
‍
Contact us if your motorhome is ready for its next habitation check. We will get you scheduled as soon as we can.

Terms & Conditions | Privacy & Cookie Policy | Exchange and Refund Policy

Brownhills Motorhomes Ltd is an appointed representative of ITC Compliance Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (their registration number is 313486). Permitted activities include acting as a credit broker not a lender.

We can introduce you to a limited number of finance providers. We do not charge a fee for our Consumer Credit services. We do not act as a financial adviser, or fiduciary. We act in our own interest, whichever lender we introduce you to, we will typically receive commission from them based on either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow. Any and all commission amounts will be fully disclosed to you as part of your sales journey. You will be required to give your fully informed consent to our receipt of this commission. By doing this, you acknowledge that you understand our role as a credit broker, and that we will receive a financial incentive if you take out a loan from a lender that we introduce you to.

All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18s or over, Guarantees may be required.

What Is a Habitation Check?

What Is A

Habitation Check?