New Houseboat Fees On The Thames

The Port Of London (PLA) has recently announced that it is to introduce a new basis for calculating houseboat mooring fees on the tidal Thames. It is reported that the majority of the vessels are moored in groups covered by single licences and that the impact of the changes is that 20 of the licences, covering 90 houseboats, will decrease; the fee will increase for 15 licences covering 89 vessels.  It is reported that the increases fall on those licences where the fee has not been reviewed in recent years, in some case up to 15 years.

This issue was reviewed recently by independent consultants and having considered over a dozen approaches they settled on an approach that the fee should be based upon a share of the net mooring fee allowing for specific local circumstances.

The process has been subject to consultation with houseboat representatives and the new fees are being introduced. 

'The PLA plans for the new charging method follow further discussions with houseboat representatives held since the beginning of the year.  During these discussions the PLA reduced the percentage of net annual mooring revenue due (after allowing 15% for the annual maintenance costs of the mooring) by 5%, from the 30% recommended in the report to 25%.' - PLA website

More on the PLA at www.pla.co.uk