Definition of caravan/mobile home

The terms caravan and mobile home are interchangeable. The Mobile Homes Act 1983 interprets 'mobile home' as having the same meaning as Part 1 of the caravan Sites and Control and Development Act 1960. [1]

The legislation defines a 'caravan' as 'any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved by road from one place to another (whether by being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer), and any motor vehicle so designed or adapted'. [2]

Tents, and railway stocks on rails forming part of the railway system, are excluded from the definition. Large twin units and units classed as 'chalets' can be classed as a caravan, if they are physically capable of being moved as one unit. [3] It does not matter whether it would be lawful to transport a large caravan on the road. The maximum size of a caravan/mobile home is 20 metres in length (exclusive of any draw-bar), 6.8 meters in width and 3.05 meters in internal height. [4]