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Renting a Houseboat

By: Jeff Durham - Updated: 10 Feb 2024 | comments*Discuss
 
Renting Houseboat To Live On Boat

Renting a houseboat to live on would seem like a useful alternative to buying a boat outright, especially for those that are either unsure whether or not boat living is for them although they’re still attracted enough to the idea of, at least, wanting to try the lifestyle for a while with the idea of buying a boat later if they take to life on the water.

Alternatively, some people may have definitely decided that they want to live on a boat but cannot afford to buy one outright or cannot raise the money through a mortgage or loan for whatever reason.

How To Go About Renting a Boat

Unlike the housing market where getting a place to rent is rarely a problem, renting a boat to live on is not as simple as you might think. One of the main reasons for this is that people who tend to buy boats do so because they want to live on them themselves. Those who do buy one as an investment tend to only rent them out over the short-term as a holiday boat rental, for example where, especially in the summer months, they can charge a premium rate for doing so.

That’s not to say that it’s impossible to find a boat rental for a longer-term and the internet is probably one of the best places to look. You may have to do a bit of delving around but there are many sites devoted to boat living in general some of which will contain forums or message boards where boating enthusiasts can exchange information and you may just get lucky and come across somebody who’s looking to rent out their boat on a medium to long term basis.

Otherwise, you could be proactive and post a message on the forum or message board, stating that you’re looking to rent for at least ‘X’ amount of months and the specifics of what you’re looking for and you might find somebody gets back to you who can help or posts a response on the forum. Boating magazines will also contain classified ads so you may want to keep checking those or placing an ad yourself.

Things To Bear In Mind

If you do get lucky and have the opportunity to rent a boat for living on it’s important that you establish certain issues. Firstly, you’ll need to make sure that the boat comes with residential mooring rights as many mooring agreements prevent boat owners from letting their boat. If all the paperwork is in order in that regard, you’ll also need to find out whether or not you’re liable for council tax.

The chances are you will be liable with a residential mooring so don’t simply assume that because you’re living afloat with no residential ‘address’ as such that you’re exempt from council tax as you’re likely to end up in trouble with the local authority. If you’re eligible, however, and you’re able to obtain a live aboard rental, you’d still be able to claim the likes of housing benefit to cover the full or partial cost of the rental, the mooring costs and the boat licence.

Tenancy Agreements

You should normally be looking to obtain a common law tenancy and it’s crucial that you carefully read through any tenancy agreement first. These will obviously differ depending on the boat’s owner but things like security deposits, liability issues if there is any damage to the boat, your responsibilities regarding any general maintenance and who’s responsible for what as well as the length of the tenancy are all issues you’d need to look at carefully.

Be prepared to hunt around, however, and to be both patient and pro-active in your approach as residential boat lettings are not as common as you might think.

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My partner and I are looking for a boat to live on near norwich (15 miles or so) for at least a year maybe two or three if all goes well. Any leads would really help
Sim - 10-Feb-24 @ 12:21 PM
My partner and I are looking to rent a houseboat for 1 yr minimum around the Cambridge area we need to move back into Cambridge.
Sparrow - 1-Feb-24 @ 6:25 PM
Ex fisherman,,,would love too live long term on house boat
Sharky - 21-Jan-24 @ 7:08 PM
Hi, I would like to rent a house boat in the Berkshire area for 6-12 months. Lisa
Lisa - 15-Jan-24 @ 10:06 PM
Hi I'm looking for long term boat rental Leeds/Wakefield area preferably longer than 12 months.
Duardy - 6-Jan-24 @ 9:11 PM
Hi, I am looking to rent a house boat within the Nottinghamshire area and was wondering if anyone had any availability. I am a working professional. Thanks Mel
Mel - 13-Dec-23 @ 11:59 AM
hi I'm looking to rent a boat in West Country England long term
rob - 4-Nov-23 @ 1:00 PM
Hi there. We are based in St Ives Cambridge and we are looking for a house boat to rent for 6 months at least to permanent. We ard ready to move and don't mind a fixer upper. Ideally we'd like to stay in the area but we are flexible, we look forward to hearing from you all, regards Aaron and Kate.
Azz - 24-Oct-23 @ 9:03 PM
I am looking to rent and live on a boat long term in London. Preferably north but open to any opportunities
Coco - 7-Oct-23 @ 11:07 AM
I have a houseboat in Nottinghamshire on a residential mooring and would like to offer it for rent, if anyone is interested.
Tap - 26-Sep-23 @ 7:55 AM
Looking for a 6 months lease in the Warwickshire, Coventry or Northampton area .
Frank - 17-Sep-23 @ 11:26 AM
I am looking to live on a house boat for a minimum period of 6months in the St.Neots, Cambridgeshire area.
Riga - 8-Sep-23 @ 8:59 PM
Hello boat lovers! I'm a writer, poet and digital marketing executive looking for a houseboat to rent for the long term as my new home. I fell in love with the idea when I rented a houseboat for a holiday and I'd love the opportunity to make my dream possible. Me and my partner work from home, so all I need is my laptop, an internet connection and a bit of inspiration, it doesn't really matter where I'm based. Please feel free to get in touch with me if anyone has anything available! I'm ready for my next adventure, so if anyone has a vacancy or can point me in the right direction, it's much appreciated ??
Gabby - 22-Jun-23 @ 2:44 PM
Looking to rent a houseboat long term in the Wirral/Cheshire area no children one small cute dog
Gee - 22-Mar-23 @ 9:12 AM
I have a 4 birth widebeam (1 double and 1 twinroom) 2 showers 2 toilets open plan lounge dining and kitchen..moored in radcot for longterm rental..static houseboat..
AJM - 16-Mar-23 @ 11:29 AM
Looking for a long term rent near wroxham Norfolk
Shazzyp - 24-Sep-21 @ 7:50 PM
Hi looking to rent a 1 berrh boat long term in bristol from october 21
2021boat - 12-Aug-21 @ 5:17 AM
Hi, I am looking to rent a houseboat in Leicester for about 8-12 months. I am looking at an immediate start. Looking forward to getting a response.
Abi - 4-Aug-21 @ 9:05 AM
Looking to rent long term in Oxfordshire
Budgie - 1-Aug-21 @ 3:19 PM
Hi I’m looking for a house boat to live on long term with my husband, somewhere in the Surrey area would be great. We want to settle and make a home for ourselves. 2 bedroom min would be great. Can anyone help Kind regards Tanya
Lady T - 26-Jul-21 @ 1:11 PM
I am looking for a houseboat in Liverpoool area to rent on a monthly basis for minimum 6months per year
Louise - 26-Jun-21 @ 8:15 PM
Hi looking for a two bedroom houseboat to rent long-term around Glasgow area if any one can help please get back to me thank's linda
Betty - 26-Jun-21 @ 11:18 AM
Hi im looking to live on a house boat in leicester. After a relationship breakdown. If there are enybody that has a boat to rent in leicester I'd be happy to hear from you thanks for your time
Stu - 8-May-21 @ 6:02 AM
Im looking to rent long term with my partner in Nottingham. House boat preferably but open to other offers
Julie - 1-Mar-21 @ 5:38 PM
I am looking for somewhere to rent after a relationship breakdown and fancied a narrow boat but before committing thought I would try to rent for six months or a year to see if if was for me I am a self employed carpenter working for a company in baldock Hertfordshire but as I have to travel would consider Herts beds bucks or Cambs Look forward to hearing if anyone could give me any help Regards Greg
Ralph - 22-Dec-20 @ 9:50 PM
Hi I'm a self employed telehandler looking to rent a boat long term in the Milton Keynes Northamptonshire Bedfordshire must sleep me a my two young children can any one help me 07764704513
Matt - 28-Oct-20 @ 2:37 PM
Hi I am a teacher who is looking to live on a boat full time. I am looking for a long term rental until then in the Lancashire/blackburn area.07525945977
Glynn - 26-Oct-20 @ 6:37 PM
I’m looking for a boat to live on for a few months to see if I like it before I commit to buying one I’m not that bothered about the area as long as it’s nice Ideally the Midlands but not that bothered!
Sam - 24-Oct-20 @ 7:37 PM
I am looking at renting long term live on boat in Maidstone area, can anyone help, number is 07973 949 563
Ade - 13-Oct-20 @ 1:53 PM
Hi i'm thinking of buying a narrow boat next year but would like to try living on one for 3-6 months to make sure i like it before i buy! I'm in Leicester (east midlands) so ideally in this area but i may consider further afaield as i'm self employed and mainly work online so can work from anywhere really
samson - 7-Sep-20 @ 7:08 PM
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