WHAT IS A HABITATION CHECK, 
AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?

A habitation check is a very thorough inspection of the conversion elements of your van. They're often required for motorhomes and caravans but aren't mandatory under law for campervans. We think that this is a crazy loophole, however, as without a habitation check there is no objective check of the safety of your home on wheels.

​

All of our conversions that include either gas or mains electric are habitation checked by an independent MCEA (Motor Caravan Engineer Association) engineer. We use a qualified independent engineer for ultimate peace of mind, for both you and us. What's more, all of our self-build kits are habitation check compliant if they're installed according to our fitting guides and advice.

 

We recommend that a follow-up check is done each year (there are mobile MCEA engineers all over the country) and some insurance companies now require it. They can also both increase and then help maintain the value of your van over time.

​

A habitation check takes up to 3 hours and covers a huge array of checks:

​

Electrical systems

​​

• All internal and external lights are assessed to see if there are any faults.

• Sockets are tested using a loop check, which sends a signal down to verify that it is wired correctly.

• Included in these checks are fridge operation, the consumer unit, the TV socket, the battery and anything that requires electricity.

• A residual current device (RCD) check involves making sure the RCD trips within a set time.

• In addition, the miniature circuit breakers are checked to ensure that they are correct for the appliances in the vehicle.

​

Gas systems

​​

• A manometer is used to check for leaks in the gas supply system.

• All gas appliances – such as the oven, the fridge, the heating system and the water heater – are turned on, to check they are working properly.

• All vents are checked to see they are clear. Then all appliances are turned off at the gas isolator taps.

• The flame-failure device should cut in, meaning the test has been passed.

• A second test is the CO room test, where all gas appliances are turned on and a flue gas analyser runs for a minimum of 15 minutes with all doors and windows closed.

​

Water systems

​

• All taps are individually checked for leaks, and the motorhome’s waste-water outlet is observed for blockages.

• The toilet is inspected to ensure the valve seal is well lubricated and the battery-operated flush is working.

• If an Alde wet heating system is installed, the ethylene glycol antifreeze and water must be a 50/50 mix – this is checked using a portable refractometer.

• The antifreeze mix in the header tank should be 10mm above ‘Minimum’, not at maximum.

• It is recommended that the antifreeze should be changed every two years.

​

Bodywork

​​

• All doors, windows and blinds are assessed for smooth operation.

• General observations are made of the whole bodywork, including a visual inspection of the roof.

• A damp check is carried out around the inside of the motorhome – a reading of 0-15% means there no concerns, but 15-20% requires further investigation and a recheck within three months.

• If the reading is above 20%, immediate attention is required because this highlights an area of water ingress.

• The motorhome service technician should give you a damp report on completion of the service.

​

Ventilation

​​

• All of the motorhome’s rooflights are opened and closed to ensure that they operate properly.

• In addition, all fixed vents are checked for possible obstructions.

 

Fire and safety

​​

• The smoke alarm and CO detector are tested, and checked to see they are not past their replacement date.

• If you carry a fire extinguisher, the expiry date is checked. If you carry a fire blanket, the housing unit is inspected to ensure that it is secure.

 

What’s not included?

 

Before you book in for your motorhome habitation check, it’s very important to establish what won’t be included in a basic service, because some workshops or mobile technicians may not include any damp testing.

​

The following checks are not included in a basic service, so would require additional payment:

​

• In-depth servicing for individual appliances, such as the fridge;

• A solar panel service;

• An air-conditioning service.