Protection for residential boaters

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The following press release will be of interest to all residential boaters, but especialy those in London, with special reference to the current Government consultation paper 'Security of Tenure for Residential Boats'.

 

 

Thursday 16 February 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Mayor's Office calls for greater protection for London's boat dwellers

 

The Mayor of London's office has written to the Government to call for greater protection for London's residential boat dwellers, saying the current legal framework leaves them more vulnerable than any other residential group.

 

In a response to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's consultation, 'Security of Tenure for Residential Boats', Neale Coleman, the Mayor's Director of Business Planning and Regeneration, calls for those who live on the capital's waterways to gain legal protection equivalent to that provided by the Landlord and Tenant legislation for home dwellers on dry land.

 

In his letter, Neale Coleman says: 'The Mayor is aware that residential boat dwellers in London face considerable problems, and has recently received several appeals for assistance from residents facing eviction. In particular, residents have complained of arbitrary and excessive charges, harassment and eviction when riparian land is redeveloped. The Mayor has publicly supported the residents of Downings Road moorings in Southwark in their campaign against eviction.

 

'The current status of residential boat dwellers is anomalous and unfair. Since the Mobile Homes Act 2004 removed a similar anomaly for park home residents, residential boat dwellers are the only group in the UK not covered by protective legislation, making them disproportionately vulnerable to arbitrary rent increases, harassment, eviction and homelessness. In addition, residential boat dwellers do not have recourse to regulatory authorities like tribunals or ombudsmen comparable to other tenants.

 

'In the interests of fairness it is desirable for residential boat dwellers to enjoy protection comparable to other groups. The existing legislation is inadequate and does not provide comparable legal protection.

 

‘As renters of moorings, residential boat dwellers should therefore have legal protection equivalent to that provided under Landlord and Tenant legislation, although any system of protection would need to take into account the complex legal position of residential boats.'

 

Jenny Jones, Green Party London Assembly Member and co-chair of the London Waterways Commission said: 'Bringing the rights of Londoners living on boats in line with all other tenants in the capital is long overdue. As a part time boat dweller myself, I am delighted that the government has realised that the current situation is grossly unfair. I also applaud the Mayor's decision to call for full legislative protection for a way of life that add so much colour and vibrancy to London's waterways. London's waterways hold huge potential for a wide range of uses, from freight transport, to leisure use, and of course dwellings. If London's waterways are to be fully revived, we have to maximise the opportunities for all these uses.'

 

Murad Qureshi, Labour Party London Assembly Member and co-chair of the London Waterways Commission said: 'Living on the river has traditionally been a more affordable alternative to a bricks and mortar home in the capital but the current inadequate legal protection means residents are in a weak position in any dispute and many mooring owners are putting costs up and up. It is important that the Government strengthens this legal protection to maintain residential boats as a viable alternative for those seeking a home in London as well as to put right unfair and unequal treatment that's existed for too long.'

 

 

See the other thread in relation to this; 'security of tenure'

 

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1161848

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Took NBW a long time to report on this one!