Houseboat owners being sold down the river - Cable

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 27th Jun 2006

Boat passing underneath Tower Bridge on the River Thames

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham, Dr Vince Cable will hold an adjournment debate today on the issue of security of tenure for residential boat owners.

Twickenham has between 200 to 250 boats (with 350 to 400 people) on Tagg's Island, Swan Island, Burgoyne Quay, Thistleworth Marina and Duck's Walk.

Residents of houseboats do not have security of tenure. They can be evicted from their mooring with little protection. Recently, a judge ruled that he had no powers to stop the eviction and the Government has come out against security of tenure, favouring a voluntary approach.

Commenting Mr Cable said:

"Residential boats are becoming an important source of low cost housing particularly for young professionals in London who cannot afford £300,000 mortgages or commercial rents.

"The boats have the additional merit that they do not encroach on valuable land; indeed they enhance the rivers and canals.

"Yet these boats have less security of tenure than travellers and have to put up with near-feudal relationships with owners of moorings and with navigation authorities like the Port of London Authority. They have no protection and no arbitration systems if faced with demands for extra rent.

"The government has bottled out of a decision on an important issue affecting thousands of Londoners."