I was forced to move into my car after falling on hard times – I have a portable toilet & kept my cat, but it’s tough
A WOMAN living out of her car gave a tour of the set-up she has created.
She explained that unfortunate circumstances had led to her arrangement but that she has made the most of the space she has.
In a viral video, TikTok user Patrick Botticelli (@njoutdooradventures) filmed ZeZe as she gave his followers a virtual tour of her car.
She explained that she lives full-time in the 2002 Chevy Cavalier, with her pet cat for company.
Zeze demonstrated how she uses the driver’s seat as a vanity area, doing her makeup in the mornings.
She used the front passenger seat for storage, with a homemade shelf system for her food, appliances, and other miscellaneous items.
Alongside her cat’s litter tray, Zeze created her own portable toilet using a similar set-up.
She used one half of the back seat for storage, keeping blankets and pillows, as well as a power bank, tyre inflator, and cooler.
On the other side, ZeZe folded down the back seat to lay a platform for her bed.
She placed a foam mattress on top and placed a fan and lights around her for comfort.
ZeZe also places a privacy shade across the window while she sleeps in her car.
“My feet go all the way back to the end of the boot when I stretch out,” she said as she demonstrated the set-up.
ZeZe has maintained a positive attitude despite her basic living conditions.
“She is doing well and is looking forward to travel and work camping,” Patrick reported in the caption of the clip.
His followers shared their thoughts on her set-up in the comments section.
“Dang, this is legit. I’m [on] night three in my SUV with my dog and cat and mannnn, I am finally ‘adjusting’ but realise I have a lot to adjust,” wrote one viewer.
“She made it the best for her situation. Pretty cool,” said another person.
Rules on living in a car
CAR LIVING is on the up as people struggle to deal with the cost of living crisis, and others are seeking a nomadic existence.
Here’s all we know about the rules on car life in the UK.
In the UK, you are legally allowed to live in your car— 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.
The trend of car or van living has taken off in the United States, where some have been forced to leave rented accommodation after landlords put up the rent.
Others have opted to live in their vehicle in pursuit of a free, nomadic lifestyle, where they can travel all over the country.
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.”
“I actually love this. She is so resourceful and she made a home out this,” commented a third TikTok user.
“Great storage, hun, and you still make an effort to look pretty, I admire you,” said another follower.
“I’m so proud of you girl, a home is what we make of it, you got your home and your baby kitty, love it,” wrote one commenter.
“Aww, baby girl, you’re beautiful and [I’m] loving your car, you’re amazing,” said another person.
You can follow ZeZe’s journey on her YouTube channel ZeZe Desire.