Introducing The Irwell Road-Ready Habitation Check
Warranty kept. Family safe. Zero hassle.
From the family-run caravan storage park that looks after caravans and motorhomes every single day. A full check of gas, electrics, water, damp, ventilation and fire safety. We come to you, or you drop it at our caravan fitting station and we park it safely on our gated site.
- Protect your warranty. Most water-ingress warranties need a check every year.
- Sell up to 35% faster. Buyers trust a van with a current, up-to-date check.
Full check + 4 bonuses: £249 · Free to register · No obligation · No card needed
Register for a habitation check
Spots are limited. Register now for first pick of dates and all four bonuses, all for £249.
You're on the list!
Thanks for registering. We'll be in touch to offer you first pick of dates before anyone else.
Got a question? Contact us.
An MOT checks the engine. Nobody checks where you sleep.
Your MOT covers the chassis and engine. It doesn't look at the gas, electrics, water or damp in your living area. Skip a habitation check and small problems get expensive.
Void warranty
Many manufacturer and water-ingress warranties need an annual habitation check. Miss a year and your cover can lapse, right when a leak shows up.
Hidden damp
Damp spreads behind panels long before you can see or smell it. Caught early it's a reseal. Caught late it's a rebuild.
Safety risks
Gas leaks, blocked vents, faulty RCDs and flat CO alarms. These are the faults that put your family at risk on holiday.
We're not a franchise. We're the family that stores your neighbours' caravans.
Irwell Self Storage is run by the Smith family. Our family has been at Atherton Holme Mill in Stacksteads since 1928, and today our secure, gated park has room for more than 50 caravans, motorhomes, cars and motorbikes.
We work with caravan owners every day. We see the vans that come back from a season with a soft floor, a tripped RCD or a flat CO alarm, and we hear what it costs to put right. So we built the check we'd want for our own van, from people you can phone, visit and look in the eye.
- Local, family-run team. Not a call centre and not a subcontractor you'll never meet.
- Caravans are our day job. We already store, move and look after them all year round.
- Rated 4.9★ on Google from 166 reviews of our storage service.
Your complete habitation check
Every system in your living area, tested while it's running.
8 systems and 64 check points, each one tested working rather than just looked at. Click through them in the order we check them, starting with gas.
What you're left with when we're done
A clear written report, on paper or by email, that you, your warranty provider, your insurer or a buyer can understand without phoning us. Every item gets one of three results, and every reading is an actual number, not just a tick.
- PassTested, within limits, reading recorded
- AdvisoryFine today, but needs attention within the year
- AttentionA safety fault or active water ingress, quoted separately
If something needs work, the quote comes on a separate sheet. Get it fixed by us, by someone else, or not at all. Your check is complete either way.
Habitation check report
Sample · touring caravanWhat the damp percentage on your report means
We take moisture readings at the same points around your van every year. Drag the slider to see how we read each number, and what happens next.
Dry
A healthy reading for a sound van. Nothing to do except keep your seals maintained and compare it again next year.
No work neededWatch
Moisture is getting in slowly, usually through a tired seal or a sealant bead that has shrunk. Catch it here and it's a quick reseal, not a rebuild.
Usually a resealInvestigate
Wet enough that the board behind may be taking on water. A panel may need to come off so the timber can be checked.
Inspect and quote repairWet
The timber is likely saturated. That section's frame, insulation and boards may need replacing, and the floor beneath checked.
Structural repair, quoted firstOne high reading by a window is usually a seal. The same reading along a whole floor edge is a bigger job, and we'll tell you which before we quote. Readings matter most as a trend, which is why your Damp History Record keeps them year after year.
Damp rarely starts where you see the stain
Water usually gets in at one of nine common spots and travels before it shows. Tap a number to see what goes wrong there and how we check it.
Front seam & A-panel
What goes wrong.
What we check.
Every reading is recorded on your report and kept in your Damp History Record.
Not sure where your damp is coming from? That's exactly what the check is for. Register for a habitation check and we'll find it.
Two easy ways to get it done
Pick whichever suits you. It's the same full check either way.
We come to you
Your driveway, storage yard or campsite pitch. Our engineer arrives with everything they need. No towing, no driving and no waiting around in a workshop.
Use our caravan fitting station
Drop your van at our secure site in Stacksteads, between Rawtenstall and Bacup, with HD CCTV and a fully gated yard.
Independently assessed under the National Caravan Council scheme
An NCC Approved Workshop that also comes to you
The NCC scheme assesses a business on the work it actually carries out, and re-checks it rather than taking it on trust. Irwell holds NCC approval both ways: as a workshop at our caravan fitting station in Stacksteads, and as a mobile operation. Whether you drop your van off or we come to your driveway, storage yard or pitch, you get the same approved standard.
- NCC Approved Workshop
- NCC Approved Mobile
- Fully insured
- Family-run since 1928
- Written report every time
Faster to sell with a current check
Buyers want proof a van is dry, safe and looked after. A current habitation report gives them that. Vans with an up-to-date check sell up to 35% faster, and you're in a stronger position when you negotiate.
I Want My Van CheckedWhich one do you actually need?
These jobs often get confused. Pick your vehicle and see what each one covers and when you need it.
Habitation check
Covers
The living area: gas, 230V and 12V electrics, water, heating, appliances, ventilation, fire safety and a full damp survey.
Doesn't cover
The base vehicle. The engine, brakes, steering and MOT are a job for your garage.
When
Once a year, around the anniversary of your last one, to keep your water-ingress warranty valid.
You get
A written report with every reading graded Pass, Advisory or Attention, plus a quote for anything that needs work.
Register For A Habitation Check →Motorhome base vehicle service
Covers
The base vehicle: engine oil and filters, brakes, steering, suspension, belts, fluids and tyres.
Doesn't cover
The living area. Gas, electrics, water and damp aren't part of a garage service.
When
Every year or at the mileage your base vehicle manufacturer sets.
You get
A stamped service record for the base vehicle's warranty.
MOT
Covers
Whether the base vehicle is legal and safe on the road: brakes, steering, lights, tyres, emissions.
Doesn't cover
Anything in the living area. No gas, electrics, water or damp.
When
Every year once the vehicle is three years old.
You get
An MOT certificate, and no information about the habitation side of your motorhome.
Habitation check
Covers
The living area: gas, 230V and 12V electrics, water, heating, appliances, ventilation, fire safety and a full damp survey.
Doesn't cover
The chassis and running gear. Brakes, bearings, hitch and breakaway cable are covered by a caravan service.
When
Once a year, around the anniversary of your last one, to keep your water-ingress warranty valid.
You get
A written report with every reading graded Pass, Advisory or Attention, plus a quote for anything that needs work.
Register For A Habitation Check →Caravan service
Covers
The chassis and running gear: brakes stripped and adjusted, wheel bearings, hitch head and damper, breakaway cable, corner steadies, road lights and tyres.
Doesn't cover
On its own, the living area systems. Some services include a habitation check, so ask what's in yours.
When
Annually, to keep the moving parts safe on the road and your warranty valid.
You get
A service record for your warranty file.
MOT
Covers
Nothing. Touring caravans don't have an MOT, so nobody checks yours unless you book a check.
Doesn't cover
Everything. That's why the annual service and habitation check matter so much on a tourer.
When
Never required by law, which is exactly why checks get missed.
You get
No certificate, which is why a current habitation report carries weight with buyers and insurers.
Don't let a part on order cancel your holiday.
If your check finds a part that needs replacing, it can take a few weeks to arrive if it has to be ordered in. Leave your check until the week before you go and you could be watching your holiday from the driveway.
Book early
Get your check done well before your first trip of the season.
We find any faults
Your report shows exactly what needs attention.
Parts ordered
Some parts can take a few weeks to arrive.
Fixed & road-ready
Everything's sorted with time to spare.
Enjoy your holiday
No last-minute panic and no cancelled trip.
Our advice: book your check at least 6–8 weeks before your first trip. Spots are limited and go on a first-come, first-served basis.
Book Early. Register Now →The Irwell Road-Ready Habitation Check
Not just a checklist. Everything you need to stay safe, keep your warranty, save on insurance and holidays, and sell for more, with no effort on your part.
Full 8-system habitation check
Gas, damp, 230V, 12V, water, heating and appliances, ventilation and fire safety, plus bodywork and underbody. Tested while it's running.
Free secure parking while we work
Dropping it at our fitting station? It stays on our gated, CCTV-monitored caravan park for up to 48 hours at no charge. No rushing back to collect it.
Your Damp History Record
We keep your damp readings on file year after year, so you can spot a problem early and prove a clean history for your warranty or a buyer.
from £179
Never-Lapse Reminder
We'll contact you 30 days before your next check is due, so your warranty never runs out by accident.
Partner discounts on insurance & holiday campsites
Save money with exclusive discounts from our caravan and motorhome insurance partners, and on stays at our partner holiday campsites. Your check could pay for itself before you've even left.
partner savings
First pick of booking dates (limited spots)
Register early and choose your slot before we open to the public, so your check and any parts are sorted well before your first trip.
early
The full check + all 4 bonuses
£249
Spots are limited. Once they're gone, the bonuses close. Book early to secure yours.
Register For A Habitation Check →IRWELL
PROMISE
Our family promise to you
1. Your report the same day, or your check is free. If your written report isn't with you within 24 hours, you don't pay for the check.
2. No surprise bills, ever. We never carry out a repair without your OK. The price we quote is the price you pay.
And registering today is free, with no obligation and no card needed.
Caravan owners trust the Smith family
“I've been using Irwell Self Storage for over a year now, and I couldn't be happier with the service. The facility is clean, well-maintained, and the staff is always helpful.”John, Google review
Questions
What is a habitation check?
An annual inspection of the living area of your caravan, motorhome or campervan. It covers gas, electrics, water, heating, appliances, damp, ventilation and fire safety. It doesn't cover the engine, brakes or chassis, which your MOT or service handles.
Why get my check from a caravan storage park?
Because caravans are what we do every day. We're a local, family-run park, so you deal with the same people every time. You can drop your van off and leave it safely on our gated, CCTV-monitored site, and if you already store with us you don't have to do anything at all.
How much does it cost?
£249 for the full Road-Ready Habitation Check, including all four bonuses. If we find anything that needs fixing, parts and repairs are quoted separately and only go ahead with your OK.
How often do I need one?
Once a year. Many warranties, especially water-ingress warranties, need an unbroken record of annual checks, so keep every report.
Does my MOT cover this?
No. An MOT looks at roadworthiness. It doesn't test your gas, 230V/12V electrics, water system or check for damp.
How long does it take?
A typical check takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. You'll get your written report once it's finished.
Do you check caravans and motorhomes?
Yes. We check touring caravans (single and twin axle), motorhomes and campervans.
What if you find a fault?
Every issue is graded in your report. Any repairs are quoted separately and only go ahead with your approval.
What if a part needs replacing?
If a part has to be ordered in, it can take a few weeks to arrive. That's why we recommend booking at least 6–8 weeks before your first trip, so everything is fixed in time for your holiday.
What are the partner discounts?
Everyone who registers early gets exclusive discounts from our caravan and motorhome insurance partners and on stays at our partner holiday campsites. We'll send full details when booking opens.
Which areas do you cover?
We cover towns within about 25 miles of our fitting station in Stacksteads, Bacup (OL13 0UF), including Rossendale, Burnley, Accrington, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Bury, Rochdale, Bolton, Oldham, Manchester, Wigan, Todmorden, Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford, Chorley and Preston. See the full list of towns in the Areas we cover section, or tell us your postcode when you register.
Caravan & motorhome habitation checks across the North West
Irwell Self Storage carries out NCC Approved habitation checks within 25 miles of our caravan fitting station in Stacksteads, Bacup (OL13 0UF). We come to your driveway, storage yard or pitch, or you can drop your van at our gated, CCTV-monitored site.
Habitation checks in Lancashire
Rossendale, Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn, the Ribble Valley, Blackburn with Darwen and across to Chorley and Preston. Mobile checks at home, on storage compounds and seasonal pitches, or at our Stacksteads fitting station.
Habitation check Lancashire →
Habitation checks in Greater Manchester & West Yorkshire
Bury, Rochdale, Bolton, Oldham, Manchester and Wigan, plus Calderdale and the Pennine towns from Todmorden to Halifax, Huddersfield and Bradford. The same £249 check, the same written report.
Habitation check Manchester & Yorkshire →Habitation checks in Rossendale (our home patch)
- Stacksteads
- Bacup
- Waterfoot
- Rawtenstall
- Haslingden
- Helmshore
- Whitworth
- Edenfield
Habitation checks in East Lancashire
- Burnley
- Accrington
- Padiham
- Nelson
- Brierfield
- Colne
- Barnoldswick
- Oswaldtwistle
- Great Harwood
- Rishton
- Whalley
- Clitheroe
- Blackburn
- Darwen
Habitation checks in Greater Manchester
- Bury
- Ramsbottom
- Rochdale
- Heywood
- Littleborough
- Middleton
- Radcliffe
- Prestwich
- Bolton
- Farnworth
- Walkden
- Oldham
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Manchester
- Salford
- Sale
- Stockport
- Leigh
- Wigan
Habitation checks in West Yorkshire & the Pennines
- Todmorden
- Hebden Bridge
- Sowerby Bridge
- Halifax
- Brighouse
- Huddersfield
- Keighley
- Bradford
- Skipton
Habitation checks in Central Lancashire
- Chorley
- Horwich
- Leyland
- Preston
Not on the list? If you're within roughly 25 miles of Stacksteads we can almost certainly reach you. Register your interest with your postcode, or contact us.
Don't let a missed check cost you your warranty, or your sale.
Get the Road-Ready Habitation Check from the local family who look after caravans every day.
Spots are limited. Book early for £249 with all four bonuses, first pick of dates and time to order any parts before your holiday. It's free, it takes 30 seconds and there's no obligation.
Register For A Habitation Check →Got a question? Contact us
Got a question? Ask the family.
Whether it's about your van, your warranty or when we launch, send us a message and one of the team will get back to you.
- Real people, not a call centre. You'll hear back from the local family team.
- No obligation. Ask anything, there's no pressure to book.
- Visit us: Athertonholme Mill, Railway Street, Stacksteads, OL13 0UF.
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