Latest news with #JonathanRolande
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Mega posh tent is being sold for £36K that makes the perfect, tiny home – it comes with a hot tub, cinema & pizza oven
WE all know that getting on the property ladder isn't an easy task. It's led to an increase in people seeking alternative lifestyles, from converting vans to living in sheds, and now there's another option available. 3 3 Even tents can be turned into a luxury living space, and the Redberth Gardens holiday site has proven it. Currently, there is a posh tent on sale at the camping site which costs an eye-watering £36,000. And while the price may seem high for a tent, a closer look reveals why it costs so much. The glamorous tent comes with a hot tub, outdoor cinema and an al fresco pizza oven. The moonlight dome tent is located near the seaside resort of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, and takes glamping"to a completely different level." The incredible tent is fully kitted out inside with a fully working kitchen and giant bathroom with a waterfall shower. The tent has been decorated in a sleek and modern design, using natural wood and black finishes to add a touch of understated glam. And outside is just as impressive, the tent features a patio equipped with a large hot tub to enjoy summer evenings. There's also an outdoor kitchen with lots of storage space and a pizza oven for entertaining guests. Sean Roper, of South Wales-based Paul Fosh Auctions, is selling the tent. 3 Charlotte's Budget DIY Spare Room Transformation He said: "Accommodating a maximum of four guests, with one double bed and a sofa bed, the dome has a private shower room and a fully fitted kitchen. "It's served by an enclosed external decking area with outdoor furniture and sunken seating area with projector screen and swing. "There's also an ice barrel and a very useful al fresco pizza oven. "This turnkey investment is being sold with all internal and external furniture and fittings, including a quite awesome sunken hot tub. "It also has a gorgeous seating area with a fire pit and BBQ for guests to enjoy. "The property is fully managed and what's more there are onward bookings. "As an example of what can be achieved with bookings for the moonlight dome tent last year generated £51,426." And when you don't have guests, you can also stay in the tent and turn it into the perfect tiny home. Most campsites do not offer residential living so you will have to have a permanent address elsewhere and vacate the tent every few months or so (depending on that particular camp's regulations). The tent is listed for sale at Paul Fosh Auctions from 12pm on May 20 to 5pm on May 22. The rise of tiny homes By Jonathan Rolande Property expert Jonathan Rolande told Fabulous: The reason we are seeing more creative ways of finding a home: super-high property prices and rents. Younger people are remaining in the family home later in life to avoid paying high prices and to save for a deposit. With increasingly busy lives, staying within a larger family group makes sense, chores such as gardening and housework can be shared. Garages are rarely used for their intended purpose as cars are far more reliable and less prone to rust and so are perfectly happy outside. On the other hand, the amount of property space per person has been shrinking – converting a garage can make great sense. Things to consider. (the boring stuff) Usually easier than building from scratch but still a lot to do to turn a garage in to a habitable space. You'll need to check if you need planning (more likely to be required if the garage is detached). Building Regulations stipulate many things to make homes safe and secure. Consider Walls, are they cavity? Roof height Windows How will you get plumbing, electrics and drainage connected Insulation – it will be cold! Fire safety Damp proofing Also consider if, by converting, you are adding or deducting value from the main home. Garages can add value in busy urban areas where parking is limited.
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I moved out of my mum's basement to live in my car – it's helped me save £45k in six months because I work in here too
A MAN has revealed how he ditched his parent's house to live in a car instead. Michael Hickey, from the US, took to social media to reveal he was spreading his wings to make his own way in life. 2 The 24-year-old revealed he had moved out of his mum's basement as he was 'too old' to be doing that anymore and decided to live in his tiny car. While living in the tiny car, he also took on a job as delivery man, meaning he works, lives and sleeps in the tiny space. He used a large sleeping bag to keep himself warm and had a fan to cool him down. Taking to TikTok he said: "I'm living in my car trying to save $60,000 in six months. "It's day 143 and so far I've saved $57,300, (£45,000). After waking up in his car and taking off his window covers it was time to start work. "After I take my window covers down and get my car driveable, it's straight to doing deliveries," he explained. He first went to do an Instacart delivery and he also works for DoorDash and Uber Eats. Michael revealed he was spending his day constantly working, as well as earning money through social media, so that he could buy himself a tiny home. He also revealed he planned to buy his mum a new car once he got his tiny home. *SINGLE USE* Watch as couple living in a tent reveal they've saved thousands "I've decided for my next money-saving challenge, I'm going to buy my mum a car by DoorDashing every day and living in my car," he added. "Once I'm done with the tiny home build it's right back to the grind." The clip posted to his TikTok account @ themichaelhickey has since gone viral with over 7 million views and people were quick to support him in his journey. The rise of tiny homes By Jonathan Rolande Property expert Jonathan Rolande told Fabulous: The reason we are seeing more creative ways of finding a home: super-high property prices and rents. Younger people are remaining in the family home later in life to avoid paying high prices and to save for a deposit. With increasingly busy lives, staying within a larger family group makes sense, chores such as gardening and housework can be shared. Garages are rarely used for their intended purpose as cars are far more reliable and less prone to rust and so are perfectly happy outside. On the other hand, the amount of property space per person has been shrinking – converting a garage can make great sense. Things to consider. (the boring stuff) Usually easier than building from scratch but still a lot to do to turn a garage in to a habitable space. You'll need to check if you need planning (more likely to be required if the garage is detached). Building Regulations stipulate many things to make homes safe and secure. Consider Walls, are they cavity? Roof height Windows How will you get plumbing, electrics and drainage connected Insulation – it will be cold! Fire safety Damp proofing Also consider if, by converting, you are adding or deducting value from the main home. Garages can add value in busy urban areas where parking is limited. Another commented: 'doordashing sucks so bad I can barely make it 3 hours a time, 12 hours is insane." "Commenting so you make money," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "Seriously, I showed this to my son. He's 11, but we talk all the time about the importance of working for what you want. You are killing it!! I'm hanging on till I can see the tiny home!!" "I'm so mad that I didn't think to do this before I had a kid man. I coulda been making so much loot if I just got over my pride,' claimed a fifth. power to save."
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
I live in one of the world's smallest cars – I couldn't afford to retire if not… but toilet situation is a disaster
THE trend of people ditching traditional homes for van life is skyrocketing. With freedom, minimalism, and serious cash savings on offer, it's no wonder more are hitting the road. 4 4 Savvy pensioner Kai has sidestepped the housing crisis by converting her Smart car into a unique home on wheels. She explained her reasoning for stuffing her belongings into the cramped motor and living life in the driver's seat. "I wanted to retire at 65 and I couldn't afford it," she revealed to CheapRVLiving. "I need to wait until I'm 70 to have social security. "I discovered that I actually could lie flat in here and took everything that I needed. "I already had the car and she gets 55 miles a gallon." Kai gets her 40 winks by reclining the passenger seat with her head almost against the windshield. She packed in two small air mattresses while assuring skeptics that the unorthodox approach is comfortable. However, there is no kitchen and no bathroom. Kai utilises a packed tub of pine-scented cat litter to do her business. I saved $60k to buy my 'dream' home in less than 5 months - I slept in my car and spent just $2 each day And when the pensioner gets peckish, a modest-sized storage space is easily accessible in the boot, where kitchen staples are kept. That's everything from kitchen utensils and a tiny stove to food, clothes, and car parts. There's a three-gallon water tank in front of the passenger seat, and Kai keeps some personal hygiene products there as well. "You have to be a little bit agile to do this," Kai admitted. Am I legally allowed to live in my car in the UK? The simple answer is yes, you can. In the UK, you are legally allowed to live in your c ar — just so long as you follow a few rules. The only requirement is that your car has passed its MOT and is entirely road-legal. If legally parked, there aren't rules against sleeping or living in a car. When would I not be allowed to live in my car? There are certain circumstances in which it's not legal to sleep in a car in the UK. Firstly, you must be in a safe parking spot, not in violation of any parking restrictions. Certain car parks, lay-bys, and national parks and forests have restrictions on overnight parking, which means you can't sleep there in a vehicle. If restrictions are broken, you could be fined or even have your vehicle towed. Secondly, you must not be above the legal drink-drive limit or under the influence of any drugs, if you intend to sleep in your car. If over the limit, you could be charged with being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle in a public place, even if you're not driving. The ban on sleeping in your car when you're drunk comes under the Road Traffic Act 1988. The rule says you can be found guilty of an offence if in charge of a vehicle on a road or public place 'after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit'. 4 4 The rise of tiny homes By Jonathan Rolande Property expert Jonathan Rolande told Fabulous: The reason we are seeing more creative ways of finding a home: super-high property prices and rents. Younger people are remaining in the family home later in life to avoid paying high prices and to save for a deposit. With increasingly busy lives, staying within a larger family group makes sense, chores such as gardening and housework can be shared. Garages are rarely used for their intended purpose as cars are far more reliable and less prone to rust and so are perfectly happy outside. On the other hand, the amount of property space per person has been shrinking – converting a garage can make great sense. Things to consider. (the boring stuff) Usually easier than building from scratch but still a lot to do to turn a garage in to a habitable space. You'll need to check if you need planning (more likely to be required if the garage is detached). Building Regulations stipulate many things to make homes safe and secure. Consider Walls, are they cavity? Roof height Windows How will you get plumbing, electrics and drainage connected Insulation – it will be cold! Fire safety Damp proofing Also consider if, by converting, you are adding or deducting value from the main home. Garages can add value in busy urban areas where parking is limited.
