Couple transform bus into two-bed home to beat property prices

A couple who were priced out of the housing market have spent £11,000 turning a double-decker bus into a home.

The self employed auto-electrician was desperate to move in with girlfriend, Stacey Drinkwater, 20, but the young couple couldn't afford to buy anywhere.

                   Stacey and Daniel relax in their purpose built bed in their double decker bus.

They couldn't save enough for a deposit and found it impossible to get a mortgage from the bank as Daniel is self employed.So the electrician decided to buy the double-decker bus last October despite his mum telling him it was 'barmy idea'. 

Daniel and Stacey now live in the converted 1991 Leyland Olympia and  say they could not be happier with their solution to the plight facing first time buyers. 

Daniel said: 'We were desperate to move in together but house prices were just way to high and we did not want to waste our money renting someone else's property.

'It is really difficult for first time buyers so this seemed like the best solution.

The bus, which was used on routes in Dublin and East Sussex is now kitted out with a double bedroom, a twin bedroom, kitchen, TV lounge, bar, toilet and bathroom.

It has full plumbing running throughout, a 220 litre water tank, and can be connected to mains electricity to power lights and appliances. 

The kitchen has a hob, cooker, fridge and sink with running water.

On the buses: Stacey and Daniel show off their double decker home.

Daniel hopes to have his bus driver's licence by August so that he and Stacey, who works at Whitstable bowling alley, can take a trip to Cornwall where he grew up. 

The vehicle is currently based on a plot of land, which the couple rent on the outskirts of Canterbury. 

Stacey said: 'I love it.
My friends love it everyone thinks it is just a brilliant idea. 

'Our mates who also struggle with high house prices even want to come and build their own house bus and live next to us. 

'I am only 4ft 10 so i have more than enough room plus the bus is pretty spacious. If it wasn't for the bus we would not be able to be living together.

She added: 'We do not have any kids on the way at the moment but if we ever do maybe Daniel can convert a school bus for them to live in.' 

Daniel hopes to buy his own plot of land and plans to turn a single-storey bus into a bar as his next project.