Feedback on Houseboat/Residential Moorings Consultation

In total the PLA received 37 responses to the consultation paper issued in October 2006.  These have assisted in identifying how best to handle the calculation of fees in the future. 

The PLA's aim in running the consultation has been to bring clarity to its charging policy.  With the consultation now complete the  key conclusions are set out below.  It is important to consider this with the role of the PLA in context.  The PLA is a self financing public trust, funding its operations along the 95 miles of the tidal Thames through a range of fees on river users. 

Fees for River Works Licences, including houseboat mooring fees, are our principal source of revenue for the busy middle and upper reaches of the river.  Funds raised are invested to cover the cost of the PLA's operations in this area, helping keep the tidal Thames safe for all users.

Core conclusions

The PLA's future charging policy will reflect the value of two main elements:

• The River Works themselves, based on the space that they occupy
• The use to which the Works are put

With the use and amenity value of the river and its banks being subject to change, charges will be reviewed periodically. Nevertheless, the PLA recognises the need for some assurance of tenure, particularly as many individuals would like to purchase the houseboats using loans from banks/building societies.  The PLA will in future therefore offer a choice of two possible terms/fee structures for individual houseboat licences:

• 15-year licence with reviews every three years – no annual inflation uplift
• 15-year licence  with reviews every five years – with annual uplifts based on the prevailing percentage annual change to the Retail Price Index

Other key conclusions from the consultation are that:

• The PLA's future charges will be based on a simple fee to recover costs, and a percentage share of total value of the works, normally 16.66%
• Enclave or multi-houseboat lettings will be valued on a different basis
• The PLA may use mediation services if appropriate to determine the value of licences when no agreement can be reached but reserves the right to refer to arbitration and recognises that applicants also have a similar right
• All licences granted remain personal and therefore the PLA can only permit assignment or subletting with prior written consent (the PLA undertakes that this will not to be unreasonably delayed or withheld).

It is the PLA's intention to adopt the above changes from now on and discussions with each houseboat owner on the tidal Thames at their next periodic review will be based upon them.

If you have any questions about the changes the PLA is making,  please contact the undersigned in  due course.
 

John A. Ball
Head of Property
Port of London Authority
London River House
Royal Pier Road
Gravesend DA12 2BG

Telephone 01474 562200 or Email