SOLVING HOUSING PROBLEM

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28257, 20 April 1957, Page 6

SOLVING HOUSING PROBLEM

British People Turn To Houseboats

[By

ALAN M. STREETE]

TN Britain these days many people seeking homes are deserting the orthodox and expensive brickbuilt house to explore the possibilities of living on water—of finding a comfortable houseboat or converted cabin cruiser in which to live without the harrying cost of mortgages, rates, property tax and other expenses.

Usually it starts with a holiday on a cabin cruiser or houseboat, perhaps on the famous Norfolk Broads, on a tidal crek, or on one of Britain’s many noted rivers. Having tested the life, the holidaymaker suddenly discovers that here is perhaps the answer to his most pressing problems—whether it is a matter of buying a home or avoiding the ruinous cost of living on dry land.

He discovers, too, that Britain has many of these water dwellers. Some of them live on the Thames around Kingston, Hampton Wick, Teddington, and elsewhere; on the Medway between Maidstone and Allington, in the tidal creeks around Rainham. The rivers Adur, Hamble, Arun in the south have their quota, while Chichester and nearby harbours and lakes are very popular areas. They are found, too, on the canals and rivers of the Midlands and the North of England in very large numbers, sometimes just a single boat and sometimes a colony.

Simple and Cheap The reason why so many people have already chosen this unusual mode of life is both logical and interesting. Pre-war there were quite a number of these “vikings,” who lived on water because no other kind of life appealed to them. It was simpler, cheaper, and for those with mobile boats one could change the scene from the cabin porthole every day. Today, hundreds live on water through necessity, because of the dire shortage of houses and flats. Yet even such people, having tried the life, are already acquiring a taste for it. And daily others hasten to follow their example. Most of the craft used are converted naval craft sold by the Admiralty—pinnaces and cutters, motor torpedo boats, landing craft, and motor launches. Some are Thames barges, old yachts, trawlers, fishing vessels, and lifeboats. Many are no longer seaworthy, and exist simply as stationary homes permanently moored. Others are mobile, and can be taken in safety from place to place. Conditions on board vary considerably. Yet, despite the apparent restriction of space, most homes are remarkably roomy. Ceilings are low, but not so low as to make life difficult. The rooms are on the small side, each craft usually having its separate kitchen, complete with cooker (using Calor gas or paraffin) and sink. Lighting is provided by oil lamps, calor gas, and sometimes electricity, this latter usually coming from the boat’s own generator.

Every Inch Used Bedrooms (or cabins) are fitted with real ships’ bunks or equivalent, and every inch of space is utilised for built-in wardrobes and drawers. Ventilation is provided by portholes or windows, and the usual ventilation shafts where necessary. All have the necessary toilets and some—the larger craft—even have a bathroom or a shower. Very often the bedroom becomes the living room during waking hours, the bunks becoming seats conveniently arranged round a fixed table. In the larger craft—converted barges, trawlers, and large motor-cruisers however, one finds a degree of luxury in the living rooms entirely unsuspected, with armchairs, carpets, walls panelled in pine, softly-shaded electric lighting, central heating, and the usual fittings found in the homes of the comfortably-off landsman.

While simplicity is the keynote of this mode of life, the people have their problems like anyone else. Accessibility is one of these, for often the best mooring places are far away from the nearest village or shopping centre. Most can be approached by road, but some can be reached only by traversing rough lanes and bypaths. This entails sacrificing—except at rare intervals —pleasures which the ordinary person accustomed to living on land had previously taken for granted. A particular problem much aggravated by those families who like to keep on the move is the education of their children. By law they are compelled, like everybody else, to send their

children to school. In remote places this is difficult enough for those who “stay put” the larger part of the year. But the mobile family presents local authorities with a difficult problem, since it is not easy to check up whether the children are attending school regularly. The provision of foodstuffs and fresh water are two further problems, which tend to make houseboat dwellers stay put for considerable periods. Normally most houseboats have their own freshwater tanks, which have to be replenished from time to time. Vegetables, fruit, game, poultry, and fish are not so difficult, many people having their own allotments and gardens; poultry-runs and so on on the river banks near their moorings. Some authorities, the Thames Conservancy Board, for instance, have specific regulations regarding sanitation, which add to the problem of daily life. Each craft, too, must be fitted with efficient fireextinguishing equipment at all times.

Expenses One of the most appealing aspects of this life is its cheapness, because there are no rents, rates or property taxes to pay. Normally all craft must be registered and licensed. This costs, on the Thames for instance, from £5 5s to £lO a year for houseboats up to 30 feet in length. Larger craft naturally cost more. Registration fees for launches cost from £2 to £8 a year, according to type and length. A further expense is lock tolls, which vary from Is upwards a lock for small craft and 5s to 7s for houseboats. Season passes are usually available at much reduced rates.

An important legal liability is the maintenance of the craft in good condition, which can be checked without notice by officials of the river authority. Apart from these small expenses, the only other river fees are rent for mooring, which may be payable to the owner of the river bank, or the payment of rent or rates for a plot of land adjoining the mooring-place. Harbour dues, ranging from a few shillings to £3 a year (very occasionally £6) are payable for mobile craft.

Quite apart from the cost of converting a craft into a houseboat or usable home (this may be anything up to £2000), annual maintenance costs from £5 for small craft to £5O or so for large houseboats. Most owners attend to these repairs themselves where practicable. Nearly all classes and most occupations, from labourers to retired high-ranking officers of the forces are represented in these water-folk. The majority of those who work have occupations not connected in any way with rivers or water transport. They and their families spend their leisure hours—as one would expect—cruising, fishing, bathing, gardening (on an adjoining river-bank allotment), visiting the local, while the younger members also play games and visit the nearest picture-houses. Many own cars and other vehicles which they garage nearby. Such are its pleasures and advantages, financially not least of all, that each year the number of “vikings” grows steadily—enjoying the simple life of living on water.