Habitation check

A habitation check is the annual inspection of a motorhome's or caravan's living area by a qualified technician. In the UK it is de-facto mandatory to keep the manufacturer's warranty and most insurance policies valid. The technician inspects gas, 12 V and 230 V electrics, plumbing, heating, body sealing (damp test), and the function of every appliance.

A habitation check runs through a 50–100-item checklist. The headline part is the damp test at every key location of the body. UK price: £150–300; EU: €200–400. Required from the first anniversary; without it, manufacturers such as Hymer, Bürstner, and Bailey can void the body-water warranty. Not the same as an MOT — that is the chassis roadworthiness test, a separate procedure for the cab-and-chassis side.