My house cost £5k and I only pay £400 a month in central London – we can't shower or eat cheese but we love it

RESIDENTS living in central London in homes costing as little as £5,000 and paying just hundreds of bills a month say they love their unique homes.

Regent's Canal in London is home to dozens of boats moored along the famous waterways.

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Colorful vessels houses to the hundreds of Londoners who have chosen to live off the grid to avoid the steep rise rent prices.

But boaters said what was once an adventurous way of life is now under threat.

Eric, who has been living on a boat for more than two years, said he first moved into the water after he couldn't put down a deposit on a house.

However, the bar manager and the musician were left in despair after the Canals and River Trust decided to increase license prices.

Eric was indignant: “The situation with CRT is quite unbearable. They don't like us, they make it very difficult.”

More than 4,000 boats are moored around London's canal system in the capital

How cost of living bites, many thought it was the best way to stay out of pocket.

Eric added: “It's the cheapest way to live in London, that's why it's exploded and become so popular.

“But it feels like this is another attack on an alternative lifestyle that will soon disappear.

“I've lived in London all my life, but for the first time I felt I couldn't live here.”

All houseboat owners must pay a canal license fee if they want to use the canal – a license for a narrowboat between 54 and 57 feet can cost up to £1,200.

But the trust recently announced an increase in license prices to keep up with the high cost of living.

Canal & River Trust national boating manager Matthew Simmonds told The Sun Online: “Our canals are facing some dire problems and if we don't act now, the future can look grim.

“Recently the government announced significant cuts to public funding for channels over the next few years, albeit high inflation rates and Art aging infrastructure has led to increased canal maintenance costs.

“The license fee is around 11 per cent of our total revenue and goes towards the significant cost of vital maintenance and repairs required to ensure the safety and availability of the canals.

“While the scale of the investment required should by no means be borne by boaters alone, the revenue we generate from boat licenses is more important than ever.”

Eric, who lives with his partner, said he is now thinking about moving to a regular flat as he can no longer afford to live on the canal.

He added: “We made an offer on the apartment the other day and we plan to go back to renting because no one can stay here anymore.”

Canal and River Trust volunteer John Daniels, 71, said the cuts had hit the community hard and the canal was now beginning to collapse.

John said: “Since then money from the government was cut, we received many complaints about green algae in the canals.

“Due to budget and funding cuts, canal maintenance is being reduced, and that's a problem for boat owners.”

For others, living off the grid can be difficult as they lack access to basic necessities like running water.

Justin, 24, who works as a sound engineer and music producer, decided to live on the water just a few months ago.

He said, “Every morning when I get up, I go to the gym to take a shower. We don't have sewers, so you have to deal with your sewage situation.”

“If you run out of water, you have to go to the access points to connect the water, which obviously isn't a big deal, but if you're far from the tab, it's a bit of a challenge.”

Dexter Carroll, 29, who has lived on the boat for two and a half years, added: “I don't have a fridge so I have to use it every day at work. summer I try not to buy milk or cheese.”

Others said that despite the difficulties, houseboats are still the most affordable way to live.

Doc Goodchild, 53, bought the boat for £5,000 12 years ago and has lived in it ever since.

In addition accountsand the gardener's license said he spends approximately £400 each month.

The gardener said: “It is bad at times the weather it can be difficult as long as you have coal and firewood it doesn't matter.

“Leaks can also be a problem, but as long as you manage that, you should be fine.

“In ten years, I have seen much more of London than living in a normal property. I even went to Oxford and came back.'

CRT is said to reach out to struggling boaters and provide support to those who need it most.

Mr Simmonds added: “We understand the cost of living crisis is affecting boaters.

“Our social support team work with those who are struggling and can often connect those on boats in need with organizations that can provide practical support or advice about accessing social care, including for example housing advantages.”

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