With 35 years knowledge in the field we specialise in connecting buyers with sellers of high end Houseboats Barges Widebeams Liveaboards & Waterside Properties with moorings
Our Property Portfolio
Levantwo
Josephine
L’abri de Jardin (SOLD)
Rivercation One
Frequently Asked Questions
At Rivercation, we understand that navigating the floating and waterside homes market comes with many questions. We’ve compiled the most common inquiries from our discerning clients to provide clarity and transparency throughout your property journey.
Rivercation offers a refreshing alternative to traditional estate agencies — a personalised service for those drawn to life on or beside the water. Run by creative professionals who live the lifestyle themselves, we combine first-hand experience with deep market knowledge to guide you through every step — bringing together buyers and homes that truly fit. Our trusted network of marine specialists and craftspeople ensures a smooth transition. And even if your ideal home isn’t listed here, we may still be able to help through our wide-reaching network of contacts.
“Unlike conventional agencies, Rivercation offers a tailored service for those seeking life on or beside the water. From detailed property appraisal, history and mooring advice through to surveys, legal requirements and contracts, we guide you through every step with care. Our trusted network of marine specialists and craftspeople ensures a seamless, stress-free experience from first viewing to final handover.”
We start with a personal consultation at your mooring or property, offering expert advice on preparing your home for market and ensuring all key documents are in place. Based on our experience and recent sales, we’ll provide a valuation and suggest a tailored marketing package to suit your needs. Depending on the package, we offer professional photography, floorplans, virtual tours, video/drone footage, and featured listings — everything you need for a smooth, confident sale.we market on both domestic property and boating portals and also social media to ensure the best possible coverage
We offer a free personal consultation at your mooring or property, along with a free valuation based on our experience and recent comparable sales. Our packages are tailored to suit each client, with fees primarily commission-based and calculated as a percentage of the final sale price, payable upon completion and prior to handover.
Some high-end packages may include additional upfront costs for enhanced marketing options such as drone footage or premium listings. Sellers are also responsible for any legal costs they incur.
buyers must cover their own legal and surveyor fees (when one is required), including any associated transport, slipping and hardstanding charges.
We also offer a flat-rate home-finding service for buyers seeking houseboats or liveaboards — plus plenty of free advice along the way. For certain cruising vessels, a complimentary handover lesson with a professional skipper may be included in select sales packages.
Most moorings for floating homes are rented and subject to regular mooring fees, as well as charges from the relevant water authority. Residential moorings may also incur local authority fees such as council tax. Some mooring operators require a transfer fee to be paid when ownership changes.
For waterside property owners, it’s important to note that even if you own the land, the riverbank or waterway itself may be owned or managed by a water authority. In such cases, additional permissions and fees may apply for installing a pontoon or mooring a vessel.
Most residential moorings we deal with include, as standard, a shore power connection, fresh water supply, and refuse disposal or collection. Some moorings also offer fixed landline or broadband options.
Sewage facilities vary: certain moorings have direct waste connections, while others provide designated disposal points — in which case, vessels must use a chemical toilet or another self-contained system. There are a range of options available, including some very high-end onboard systems.
Keeping warm is a top priority when living afloat and there are many options available. The vessels we handle are all well insulated and, at minimum, equipped with a multi-fuel stove for reliable heating. Most also feature central heating systems powered by either bottled gas or diesel. For hot water, a calorifier is typically installed, which can be heated via the central heating system or through electric shore power connection. Electric radiators and small heat source pump systems can also be used as an alternative.
Yes — if the mooring is fully residential (not leisure or non-residential), council tax is usually payable at Band A. Residential moorings are often exempt or zero-rated for VAT. River authority fees also apply in most inland waterway locations. Utilities are typically charged by the mooring operator, unless you own the mooring, in which case they would be billed directly by utility providers.
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