RESIDENTS who live in homes that cost just £5,000 and pay just hundreds in bills a month in the centre of London say they love their unique homes.
Regent’s Canal in London is home to dozens of boats moored near the famous pathways.
The picturesque vessels are homes to hundreds of Londoners who chose to live off-grid to escape the high rocketing renting prices.
But boaters said what was once an adventurous way of living is now at risk.
Eric, who has been living in a boat for more than two years, said he initially moved into the water after being unable to put up a deposit for a house.
However, the bar manager and musician was left in desperation after the Canals and River Trust decided to hike the licensing prices.
Eric fumed: “The situation with the CRT is pretty untenable. They don’t like us, they’re making it very difficult.”
The more than 4,000 boats moored around the London canal system in the capital
As the cost of living bites many thought it was the best way to avoid being out of pocket.
Eric added: “It’s the cheapest way to live in London that’s why it has exploded and it has become so popular.
“But it just feels like this is another attack on an alternative way of life that will soon disappear.
“I’ve been in London my whole life, but this is the first time I feel I can’t really keep living here.”
All houseboat owners have to pay a canal licence fee if they want to use the canal – a licence for a 54ft to 57ft narrowboat can be up to £1,200.
But the trust has recently announced an increase in licensing prices to keep up with the high costs of living.
National boating manager at Canal & River Trust Matthew Symmonds told The Sun Online: “Our canals are facing some daunting challenges and, if we don’t act now, the future could look bleak.
“The government recently announced significant cuts to public funding for the canals over the years ahead, whilst high inflation rates and the ageing infrastructure has seen the cost of caring for canals rise.
“The licence fee represents around 11 per cent of our total income and goes towards the significant cost of the vital maintenance and repairs necessary to keep canals safe and available.
“Whilst the scale of the investment required is in no way to be borne by boaters alone, the income we receive from boat licences is more critical than ever.”
Eric, who lives with his partner, said he is now thinking about moving back to a normal apartment as he can’t afford to live in the canal anymore.
He added: “We’ve put an offer for an apartment the other day and we’re planning to go back to renting because nobody can stay here anymore.”
Canal and River Trust volunteer John Daniels, 71, said the cuts have hit the community hard and the canal is now starting to decay.
John said: “Since the money from the gov was cut down, we’ve received many complaints about the green algae in the canals.
“With budget and funding cuts, the maintenance of the canals gets reduced and it’s an issue for the boat owners.”
For others the off-grid lifestyle can be a struggle as they don’t have access to basic necessities like running water.
Justin, 24, who works as a sound technician and music producer, decided to live on the water only a few months ago.
He said: “Every morning when I get up I go to the gym to shower. We have no sewage, so you have to sort out your own sewage situation.
“When you run out of water you have to go to access points to connect water which obviously isn’t a big of a deal but if you’re far off the tab it’s a bit of a mission.”
Dexter Carrool, 29, who has been living in the boat for two and half years, added: “I don’t have a fridge, so I have to use the one at work every day. And during the summer I try not to buy milk or cheese.”
Others said that despite the difficulties, house boats are still the most affordable way of living.
Doc Good Child, 53, bought a boat for £5,000 12 years ago and he has lived in it ever since.
Besides bills, and licences the gardener said he spends roughly £400 each month.
The gardener said: “During bad weather it can be challenging as long as you have coal and wood it doesn’t matter.
“Also the leaks can be a problem but as long as you manage that it should be fine.
“In ten years I’ve seen a lot more of London than living in a normal property. I even went to Oxford and came back.”
The CRT is said to have addressed struggling boaters and is providing support to those who need it most.
Mr Symmonds added: “We understand that the cost of living crisis affects boaters.
“Our welfare support team works with those who are struggling and can often connect liveaboard boaters who are in need to organisations that can provide practical support or advice about accessing welfare support including, for example, housing benefits.”
