Can a person live in a boat without paying rent?

Question

Can a person live in a boat without paying rent?

Answer 1

If you have access to a safe anchorage that is not regulated as to how long you can be anchored there, then you wont have mooring fees. Unless you plan to pump your waste into the waterways (if you do, I will personally come and break your thumbs), you will have to have a pump-out service or go to a pump-out station periodically. Also, fresh water will have to be hauled out to the boat or tanks filled when you pump out holding tank. You will need a dinghy to get to and from the shore and a safe place to keep it while you are ashore. Electricity will be 12v or 24v and at the mercy of your battery capacity.  It is a difficult lifestyle.

Answer 2

You would also have to pay fresh water fees,  dumping fees, docking fees, parking fees (for your car), insurance, and maintenance. Thy do corrode and sludge collects on the hull.

If you have deep pockets you can make it work....

Answer 3

If you owned it and it was paid for, yes. Just float around for free all the time. Some costs would be insurance, docking fees, license fees in the state you float in, thats' about it!

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Officially you don't pay rent but you do pay other expenses.  While you can "swing on the hook" from time to time, this really isn't a practical way to live.  Seasonal/yearly docking fees are structured so that you pay your share of the utilities, maintenance and taxes incurred by the marina/yacht club so you're not completely disconnected from the land.  However, having said that, I lived aboard for almost 10 years and, not counting the cost of the boat and it's maintenance, my total cost of accommodations was about 1/2 of what it would have been if I'd paid rent in the same time frame.

Answer 5

There are no fees at all.  No docking fees, nothing.  Use your anchor.  Then use your dinghy to get to land or the dock.  Most docks won't charge anything if you use a dinghy; tied out of the way of the paying boats.

.

.

.

Answer 6

I have often thought of that.  Yes, there are thousands of people that have a houseboat. You may have to pay docking fees, but they are much cheaper than rent, Plus you don't have to pay alot of charges everybody else does, ie, taxes and garbage collection