Houseboat owners lose legal battle
July 2011
News
www.iwcp.co.uk
HOUSEBOAT owners in Bembridge have lost an appeal against eviction.
Judges today (Thursday) refused to accept the Second World War landing craft converted into houseboats could be classed as dwelling houses.
Chistopher Mew and neighbour Janet Just were issued with notices to move their houseboats following a case brought by the harbour leaseholders Tristmire Ltd, which bought the Embankment Road site in 2007.
The pair argued they were assured tenants, entitled to have rent increases regulated by the Housing Act and protection from eviction.
However, Lord Justice Patten dismissed their appeal and said the vessels fell into the same category as caravans, which are designed to be moveable.