The new Renters’ Rights Act has received widespread news coverage since it received Royal Ascent. It has also been praised for the extra protection it gives to residents who rent their homes from unpredictable landlords. However, the new Act neglects to offer protection to houseboat owners. The Chelsea Society tried to get the Government to add an amendment to protect houseboat owners, not least those living on the river in Chelsea. They were ably assisted by Lord Cashman, who spoke passionately in the House of Lords in defence of houseboat owners, but the opportunity was refused. Here, Michael Stephen – the Deputy Chairman of the Society – gives a brief outline of the law as it stands.
An artist paints the houseboat scene at Chelsea Reach ©RobMcGibbon/TCC 2025
Along the River Thames and other rivers and canals people have made their homes on boats. Some people own their boat and others rent it from someone else.
All these boat owners are vulnerable because, if they rent the boat their tenancy may be terminated, and even if they own the boat it may be evicted from its mooring.
Although the boats are their homes, these people do not enjoy any protection from eviction or harassment as do tenants who occupy a house or a flat on land.
The Chelsea Society tried to close this loophole in the law, and proposed the following amendment to the Renters (Reform) Bill which has just received Royal Assent.
“That Clause 64 of the Renters (Reform) Bill be amended as follows:
64. Meaning of “the 1988 Act”
(1) In this Act “the 1988 Act” means the Housing Act 1988.
(2) The definition of “dwellinghouse” in section 45(1) of the 1988 Act shall include a boat used as a dwelling, and the berth where such boat is moored.
(3) References in the said section to a tenancy shall include a licence to occupy such boat and/or berth, and references to a tenant shall include a person occupying such boat and/or berth by virtue of a licence from the person having control of such boat and/or berth. References to rent shall include a licence fee.”
This amendment was proposed to the Conservative government before the 2024 General Election, and was again proposed to the Labour government after the election. Unfortunately neither of them acted upon it, and people who live on boats are still vulnerable.
Michael Stephen is Vice-chairman of The Chelsea Society. He is a Barrister and was Vice-chairman of the Conservative Legal Affairs Committee in the 1992-97 Parliament. He is the author of two changes in the law – the first to permit appeals against over-lenient sentences, and the second to permit appeals against Bail granted to persons who should be in custody pending their trial.
