Buying or renting a houseboat

Before you rent or buy a houseboat, check where you can moor it. There are limited places you can keep a residential houseboat in Scotland.

Finding a mooring

All houseboats in Scotland need to have a residential mooring. This is the space where you tie up your boat. 

Moving your houseboat between moorings, sometimes called continuous cruising, is not allowed on Scottish canals. 

To find a residential mooring check Scottish Canals' list of moorings. 

Consider whether the mooring has facilities you need, for example:

• fuel

• electricity

• water

• waste disposal

You will need to pay mooring fees, which are rent for the mooring space. You will also need to pay council tax. 

For moorings on the coast, seek permission from Crown Estate Scotland.

If you own your own land, you can establish a residential mooring there. You may need permission from the council.

Buying a houseboat

You can buy a houseboat new or used. Speak to a solicitor before you buy a houseboat. You can find a solicitor on Law Society of Scotland.

You will need to find your own residential mooring. The seller cannot transfer their mooring to you. 

Check whether the boat has essentials such as:

• running water

• electricity

• heating

Get a marine surveyors' report to make sure the boat is in good condition and ready to live in. 

You will not be able to get a normal mortgage on a houseboat. You may be able to get a marine mortgage from a specialist lender. Marine mortgages usually have high interest rates and need large deposits. 

You must get:

• a long-term Scottish Navigation Licence

• boat insurance

• a boat safety certificate

Renting a houseboat

Before you rent a houseboat, check: 

• that it comes with a residential mooring

• that the landlord is allowed to let their boat to you

• whether you will be responsible for paying the council tax

You’ll usually be given a tenancy agreement with common law rights. Make sure you agree with the terms and conditions before signing it. Check our advice on common law tenancy rights.

If you need help to pay rent

You could get Universal Credit or Housing Benefit to help pay for:

• houseboat rent

• mooring rent

• boat licences

To check if you can get benefits, use the Turn2Us benefits calculator.