Woman Who Lives on Houseboat Protected From Eviction by Mobile Homes Act

Breakthrough case means that people may be able to use the Mobile Homes Act (1983) to protect against eviction if they live in a marina. 

A woman who faced eviction from a marina that she has lived in for 7 years has successfully argued that her houseboat meets the criteria outlined in the Mobile Homes Act (MHA). 

This means she now has some protection from eviction because the marina owner will have to go to court if they want to evict her (something they wouldn’t need to do if there was no protection).  

This case could also help other marina park leaseholders to enjoy similar protections.  

The background

Sally* has lived in a marina in Cambridge on her houseboat for 7 years. Her home is a caravan that is mounted onto a floating platform and was put there by the original owner of the marina.  

However, when the marina was sold to a new company, Sally was served a notice to leave and told to leave within just 28 days. They said that the pontoon which the Houseboat was attached to was irreparable.  

Is a houseboat a caravan according to the Mobile Homes Act? 

To be protected by the MHA, a structure must successfully meet the following three criteria:  

1. It is a caravan

1. It is on land (which includes on water)

1. It has residential (not holiday) planning permission

It was found that her home did meet the criteria. This means that subject to planning permission Sally is able to continue living where she is. 

Increased protection for people living on houseboats  

Sally's victory means that people who live on houseboats in marinas could potentially be  protected by the Mobile Home Act. Marina owners would have to go to court if they want to evict someone, increasing people’s protection from eviction.  

We hope that other people are able to reference Sally’s case so that they too can enjoy increased protections on marinas.  

*Not her real name. 

PILC works to defend and promote the rights of all people to be able to pursue a nomadic way of life.  

There are around 300,000 Gypsies and Travellers in the United Kingdom, 100,000 of whom live in a caravan or other mobile structure, such as boat and van dwellers. It is also well documented that a disproportionate amount of planning applications by Gypsies and Travellers are rejected, whether that is to reside on their own land or for the development of other sites. 

We provide legal advice and representation to Gypsies and Travellers who do not live in brick and mortar housing and seek safe and suitable living conditions, including bargees and van-dwellers. 

Want to talk to us about a case? Contact Keith on keith.coughtrie@pilc.org.uk or on 07503084482.