Houseboats | Buy, Sell Or Rent Property With Classifieds Property

Houseboats have an obvious quixotic appeal. Who hasn't dreamt of a relaxed life on the water? They also have the status of being an inexpensive alternative for first-time buyers. According to the Residential Boat Owners Association, around 15,000 people live on boats on Britain's rivers, canals and tidal waters.

TYPES OF HOUSEBOAT

Narrow boats
These are long but very narrow due to the size of canal locks. Narrow boats have engines so can be moved easily and used for recreational boating. Most are of steel construction, so must be well insulated.
It is the most common houseboat, stretching 45 to 50 feet in length, with a width of approx. 6 feet. There is ample space for two, plus occasional guests. A new boat retails for about 90k, while a used boat fetches 25k-30k.

Dutch Barges
These vessels are very popular as a floating home as most have engines fitted. Due to their wide beam (width), most are moored on rivers rather than narrow canals and offer good accommodation space. However, in order to navigate Britain's 2,000 miles of inland waterways, boats have to have a strict size limit. A Dutch barge may be as wide as 14ft, so will be unable to negotiate narrow canal locks. Even on larger boats, the lack of space means surviving with the bare necessities.

Motor Cruisers
Many of these are found on the Norfolk Broads, as many are ex-hire boats. Some can be 50 feet plus, and all have reasonable accommodation. Their main use is on non-tidal rivers and canals. Most have engines. Such vessels make comfortable homes for those wanting to use the boat for pleasure and travel. They are usually moored in a tidal river or coastal harbour giving access to good cruising.

Buying a Houseboat
There are several issues to consider:

New boats are often built to order by specialist boat builders. Boating magazines are useful for making initial inquiries.

Most first-time boat owners choose a second-hand boat as their initial investment is lower. A used boat may need more initial maintenance, but it is also more likely to have the basic fittings and facilities you need; including things a novice may forget to arrange for when buying a new boat. Second-hand boats are available from marinas / boatyards, through brokers / estate agents and by private sale.

When commissioning a new houseboat it is usual to pay in instalments, so make several visits to the builders, to review progress and pay on completion of pre-arranged tasks. Insist on a written copy of all work to be undertaken and a receipt each time money changes hands - the British Marine Federation can help. A new boat must be built in accordance with the European Union's Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) to meet safety standards. The RCD is designed in accordance with the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) and automatically qualifies the boat for a waterway licence.

You can get value for money by buying second-hand. There are boat brokers at many marinas, offering a range of models. A good broker should supply you with all the documentation regarding the boats usage, maintenance history and surveys. Before you commit to buying a second hand houseboat be sure that you have considered the following points:

1. Get your own independent survey carried out.
2. Be prepared to spend more money on subsequent maintenance.
3. Insist on seeing a recent BSS Certificate.
4. The price will be reflected in the condition and age of the boat, as well as the vendor's reputation.

Renting a houseboat can be an unorthodox alternative for an apartment or house. If you are renting a houseboat to live in, you must ascertain that it comes with residential mooring. Not all residential moorings allow houseboats to be let, so make sure to check all the paperwork.

Before renting a houseboat, consider the following points:

1. You should usually have a common law tenancy.

2. You will probably have to pay council tax on residential moorings

3. Housing benefit can be claimed to cover the cost of your houseboat rental, residential mooring and boat licence.

4. If needing a mortgage, you will have to approach a specialist in marine finance who will charge higher interest rates and is unlikely to lend more than 80% of the purchase price.

5. You will need to secure any loan against a home (on land) you already own.

Other Considerations
There are many other financial considerations to take into account when deciding to live on a houseboat.

The following guidelines apply to all boats; (excepting those operating solely on tidal rivers, seaways and estuaries):

Mooring costs range between 4,000 and 8,000 per year. These costs very much depend on the location where your boat is moored.

Visit the potential mooring site and ask questions of the existing riverboat residents. "River" people are a very close-knit community and will help you in your decision making process

You want to make sure that you can stay there for as long as you want. A 25-year lease will give you peace of mind. Check that your mooring rights are not for a short period. If you are taking over a lease that has, say, 3 years still to run, make sure there is a renewal option, in its current state.

You can rent a residential mooring from British Waterways, the local council or a private landlord. You'll need to sign a rental agreement with your landlord, giving you both rights and responsibilities. Make sure you read the agreement carefully.

Houseboat Licence
If you intend to use UK canals or rivers, you must obtain a British Waterways Licence.

Paying Tax on a Houseboat
If you live on a residential mooring, you may be liable for council tax, although only for VAT if your houseboat has a motor. As the situation varies in different areas, check accordingly.

Insurance
According to British Waterways, Third party insurance to a minimum value of 1,000,000 is mandatory. You can find specialist insurers advertising in the waterway press.

Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) Certificate
All boats must comply with the BSS and be checked every four years. For full details, visit the
http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com website.