Camplify: The ins and outs of hiring out your motorhome

The growing interest in motorhome renting

The idea of renting out your motorhome to Joe Public is not new. However, with the recent growing interest in motorhomes and campervans, the peer-to-peer rental service has also become more popular. This could also be to do with the rising costs of buying and owning such vehicles in recent years, too.

Basically, apply the principal of AirBnB-style short-term domestic rentals to motorhomes and that’s pretty much it.

Marie Carponi, Camplify’s Head of EU/UK Operations, says,

However, many motorhomers have concerns about this and we spoke to Marie to answer the main ones...

Pretty safe, as it turns out. Most platforms offering a matching service for motorhomes and potential renters would have multiple tools in place to ensure renters are checked prior to handover, and are insured while they have the motorhome in their care.

Before anyone can arrive at an owner’s door looking for the keys to their vehicle, they will have been verified.

Marie assures,

Q: What if the motorhome is not returned?

A major concern is a renter not returning a motorhome.

Marie says,

Q: What happens if the motorhome is stolen while on hire?

If the motorhome is stolen while in the renter’s care, the insurance will remain in force even if the renter was at fault, such as leaving the keys in the vehicle.

Marie confirms,

Q: Will damage be covered under insurance?

The other major fear is the renter damaging the motorhome.

Marie assures,

Owners must check with their own insurer of their intention to rent their motorhome out.

Marie says to check,

Camplify’s policy provides full comprehensive insurance, and it also provides breakdown assistance, as well as a team to help renters and owners all the way from listing to dealing with crashes and damage.

Q: Will my motorhome get trashed?

The risk of damage is very low, but owners have to accept a level of wear and tear as a result of usage.

However, many peer-to-peer rental services have tools in place to help reduce it, from all-important educational emails, to selecting the right hirer for your ’van, to thorough handovers/pre/post-hire checks, bond management and more.

Q: Is the handover important?

Camplify uses the owner’s knowledge (and concern) to an advantage as nobody knows the motorhome better than the owner, so, if there is a problem, who better to ask?

Marie explains,

Rental companies cater for the majority so, while they offer uniformity and familiarity, with this comes restrictions like fixed rental locations, a limited number of layouts and models to choose from and little in the way of bespoke touches.

Peer-to-peer rental, on the other hand, offers a flexible, personal approach as well as a huge variety of models to choose from, which is why it’s so appealing.

Marie explains,

With Camplify you can also take advantage of the ‘deliver/set-up’ option, whereby people who do not wish to drive but still want to experience the vanlife, whether from a campsite or a festival, get the owner to deliver and set up the motorhome or campervan ready for the holidays. At the end of the hirer’s stay, the owner drives the motorhome back. 

Marie adds,

Q: Is there a minimum amount of time the motorhome needs to be rented out for?

Owners must make their motorhome or campervan available for a minimum period annually.

Marie clarifies,

Q: What servicing is needed?

There are obligations, primarily surrounding the safety of the renters.

Marie confirms,

Q: Is there an age limit?

While you can rent out a classic model, for example, if you use Camplify’s insurance policy, your motorhome or campervan must not be older than 15 years

Q: Do I have to rent it out to anyone?

Marie confirms,

But owners always have control over when and who can rent their vehicle.

Q: How much could my motorhome earn me?

The potential earnings are significant – a week’s rental in peak season for a four-berth coachbuilt or campervan is between £900 and £1,200.

Q: What fees are incurred?

Camplify charges owners 10% plus VAT for each rental (it also charges renters a booking fee of 12% plus VAT) and, if the owner uses Camplify’s insurance, then there’s an additional cost starting at £11 a day plus tax.

This additional income must be declared to HMRC and, if applicable, the appropriate income tax paid.

Marie explains,

Q: Is there a specific type of model that is easier to rent out?

As with other rental companies, Camplify has found that larger six-berth motorhomes with on-board toilet facilities are proving most popular.

Q: Can you buy and rent out more than one motorhome?

Apparently, hiring out motorhomes can be addictive...

Marie says,

This growth makes the UK the company’s second most important market and Camplify says it sees a lot more opportunity for it  –and leisure vehicle owners – here.