“Craft rented out for liveaboard occupancy and for no other purpose than to create profit or reward, for the sole benefit of the unregulated craft owners”
Concerned at what it sees as a “substantial” rise in the unregulated commercial hiring out of boats for liveaboard use, the Residential Boat Owners’ Association has warned that it believes these craft are often in poor condition, potentially dangerous, illegally operated and lacking any security for occupiers.
The RBOA, founded in 1963 to look after the interests of those living afloat (with or without home moorings), has no issue with marinas or other mooring operators running controlled rentals of houseboats or other floating homes, although it doesn’t promote these schemes.
What does give the association cause for concern is what it describes as “craft rented out for liveaboard occupancy and for no other purpose than to create profit or reward, for the sole benefit of the unregulated craft owners”.
Such rental craft, according to the RBOA, are often:
– Poorly maintained.
– In breach of navigation authority licence conditions (for example the Canal & River Trust require boats rented out for long-term residential use to be on a permanent mooring with residential use consent).
– Not subject to any Landlord and Tenant law, giving boaters no security or protection.
– Tempting unsuspecting renters into potentially dangerous situations.
The RBOA has declared it will not encourage or endorse the practice, which it sees a “detrimental to the very concept of responsible residential boating” and at risk of damaging the reputation of responsible owners, and of navigation authorities under which it happens.
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