A BOAT DWELLER has shared how much it costs to live on her 50ft narrowboat.
24-year-old Dottie Turnbull and has spent the last four years living on the narrowboat with her four-legged friend Teddy.
Dottie, 24, purchased the £30k narrowboat in 2021 and has since shared all the highs and lows of narrowboat life on TikTokCredit: tiktok/@tanglewoodandtwo
On average, her outgoings reach around £500 per month, which is significantly cheaper than renting a one-bedroom apartment in LondonCredit: tiktok/@tanglewoodandtwo
Although Dottie had only stayed on a boat just twice prior to the big change, she knew she was ready for a change – and forked out £30k for the purchase.
Dottie previously told us that she was renting a one-bedroom with her partner but the landlord randomly gave them a three-month notice period, leaving them unsure what to do next.
“It was pretty run down when we moved there, but within six months we had completely transformed the place – so much so the landlord put our little home up for sale and gave us our three-month notice period, which in all honestly shocked us both.
“We were then in a bit of a rut, as we both loved character homes but didn’t have a large enough deposit to buy.
“We could have done a Help to Buy in a new-build estate but that wasn’t really our thing.”
Dottie explained that she and her partner Tristan made the decision to buy and live on a boat instead.
The , which is “older” than the TikToker, desperately needed renovating – but despite this, Dottie “could see potential”.
It wasn’t an easy journey, “with pipes breaking, water leaks and ” – however, Dottie wouldn’t have it any other way.
“This is my fourth winter onboard and I genuinely love the little life I live here,” the 24-year-old told the followers on her page .
Since embarking on the exciting journey, Dottie has shared all the highs and lows of living on a narrowboat, including the question she gets “asked the most”.
“People always ask me how much it costs to live on a narrowboat, so here’s the answer,” she said in a recent video .
“It really depends on how you live.”
According to Dottie, those who choose to cruise continuously “don’t have to pay for a permanent mooring”.
“But for me, I’m in a really sought-after area, so my costs are a bit higher.”
On average, her outgoings reach around £500 per month, which is significantly cheaper than renting a one-bedroom apartment in London that’s over £2,000, according to Rent London Flat .
This includes a variety of things, such as a license, that costs her just £5, electric at about £10, as well as water which is included in the mooring fee.
“In the winter when I’m using more diesel and firewood for heating, it’s closer to about £600 per month – but in the warmer months, it drops down again.”
Dottie continued: “It changes with the seasons, but overall my living costs are pretty low, and that’s one of the reasons this lifestyle works so well for me.”
Are tiny homes legal in the UK?
TINY houses can be in the UK regardless of whether they are on a trailer base or not. The legality of tiny houses is all to do with where it is and what you use it for.
According to Planning Geek , constructing a granny annexe in your garden usually means you’ll need planning permission, especially if it has a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.
This is because it’s seen as a separate living space rather than just an extension of your main home.
However, if you’re thinking about converting an existing outbuilding, like a garage, into a granny annexe or a tiny home, you might not need planning permission.
That said, it’s important to make sure the space doesn’t end up being a fully self-contained unit – for instance, if the converted area doesn’t include cooking facilities, it might not be classified as a separate dwelling.
It’s also worth noting that, while certain small outbuildings can be constructed under permitted development rights, the NAPC points out that this usually applies to structures like sheds or garages, rather than self-contained annexes.
According to The Tiny Housing , a tiny home on wheels must not exceed 2.55 meters in width to be road-legal in the UK. Also, with a standard car licence, the length cannot be more than seven meters.
While tiny homes offer an alternative living solution, they must comply with local planning and building regulations.
Always check with your local council to ensure compliance with all regulations.
Posted less than 24 hours ago, the clip has racked up more than 217k views and over a hundred comments, with viewers rushing to share their positive thoughts.
One person said: “Looks absolutely stunning, what a lovely way to live.”
“It looks so homely,” another chimed in.
“My dream, your boat is beautiful,” a third commented.
Meanwhile, a former boat dweller shared their experience, writing: “I used to live on a narrow boat, it was great fun but it isn’t as glamorous as people think it is. It’s hard work.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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