C&RT introduce ne boat renting licence

[boatone]

New licence introduced for boat renting in the UK

The Canal and River Trust said it has introduced the measure to ensure the “safety of the increasing number of people living on rented boats.”
“We are responding to the numbers of boats for rent in London and further afield as people try to find alternatives to rising housing costs,” said the trust in a media release.
“A second market has sprung up with the advent of website letting sites which regularly feature listings of boats for rent, while anecdotal evidence from boaters shows that it’s becoming more common,” it added.
The static letting licence, which was introduced yesterday (12 June), will cover all types of boat rental, including long-term renting, Airbnb-style short breaks, and overnight stays.
The boat owner will need to have a permanent mooring and should talk to their local planning authority to see if planning permission is needed.
The price will be the same as for the trust’s current Self-Drive Holiday Hire licence – which costs from £1,349.40 per year, and increases with boat size.

The static letting licence has more rigorous requirements to make sure that both the boat is safe and that potential renters are fully briefed before spending a night on board.
Boat owners will be required to have: proof of adequate insurance; a Non-Private Boat Safety Scheme Certificate; a detailed handover document including emergency procedures and contact numbers; a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate; and written permission from their mooring provider."

The C&RT have also embarked on a major consultation relating to the future structure of licensing fees:
Have your say about the future of the Canal and River Trust’s national boat licence

 

[Actionmat]

I have a sinking feeling that any attempt to charge and regulate the canals, will result in them leaving and taking up residence on the Thames. If there's one thing the new generation of liveaboards don't like, it's paying for anything.
The only way to prevent that from happening is if the EA roll out the same policy.

 

[oldgit]

The only way to prevent that from happening is if the EA roll out the same policy.

C,mon EA...... time to get your (water) skates on and go down this path ?

 

[Actionmat]

The EA, or (preferably) each council. All vessels rented out as accommodation should pay towards local services(rates), meet rigourous fire and safety regs, have limits on the number of occupants, have a marina or private mooring and declare the rental income to HMRC. If that doesn't kill the slumboat market, nothing will.

 

[boatone]

The EA, or (preferably) each council. All vessels rented out as accommodation should pay towards local services(rates), meet rigourous fire and safety regs, have limits on the number of occupants, have a marina or private mooring and declare the rental income to HMRC. If that doesn't kill the slumboat market, nothing will.

As far as EA waterways are concerned, legislation would be required to do much of this. C7RT have a much freer hand as they own their waterways and are free to introduce new arrangements of their choosing.

There are probably provisions in current legislation that would permit the EA and local authorities to take a much harder approach to the problems but they are all strapped for cash and, as the saying goes, "when you are up to your *rs* in alligators it can be difficult to remember you are trying to drain the swamp".

Given that the government seem to be unable to agree when the Queens Speech will be delivered I don't hold up much hope of anything changing as far down the pit as our trifling little issues.