Nine of the hottest houseboats in London on the market now — from £150,000 to £1.8 million

When the weather is fine, taking to the water is a tempting prospect. Houseboats in London come with year-round benefits, including helping your money go further, the lowest council tax bills, and an exemption from stamp duty.

Permanent moorings are the more pricey option, or you can rove the capitals miles of canals, visiting new neighbourhoods every two weeks.

What you may sacrifice in central heating you make up for community, as London’s passionate houseboat aficionados can attest. Just be aware that they are harder to get a mortgage on — although there are some specialist providers.

If the life of a landlubber is getting tired, here are nine houseboats with intriguing features to tempt you.

Regent’s Park, NW1

Cumberland Basin (Goldschmidt & Howland)

£600,000

High-spec two-bedroom houseboat with rare permanent mooring on Regent’s Canal. Walnut joinery and underfloor heating.

Goldschmidt & Howland, 020 3907 2589

Canary Wharf, E14

Turnberry Quay (Waterview)

£475,000

Deceptively large Twenties Dutch barge, ideally located for Canary Wharf workers. Four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a terrace.

Waterview, 020 7650 5110

Nine Elms, SW11

Nine Elms Pier (River Homes)

£250,000

Refurbished two-bedroom Humber keel barge with wooden floors, Shaker-style kitchen and wood-burning stove.

River Homes, 020 3889 9173

Chelsea, SW3

Cadogan Pier (Brompton Property Partners)

£975,000

Three-storey Dutch houseboat with 2,000 sq ft of space, including four bedrooms, triple-aspect living area and open deck.

Brompton Property Partners, 020 3866 4434

Hammersmith, W6

The Dove Pier (River Homes)

£175,000

Charming one-bedroom motor yacht barge with cosy wood-clad interior, moored within 10 minutes of Hammersmith station.

River Homes, 020 3909 9658

Islington, N1

Wiltshire Row (Purple Bricks)

£202,000

Spacious one-bedroom houseboat on permanent Regent’s Canal mooring. Access to private storage shed and bike parking.

Purple Bricks, 020 3834 8512

Wapping, E1W

St Katharine’s Way (River Homes)

£150,000

Sixties motor yacht with two cabins moored in the popular St Katharine Docks marina next to Tower Bridge. Nautical interiors.

River Homes, 020 3889 9173

Little Venice, W9

Blomfield Road (Braithwait)

£325,000

Charming one-bedroom houseboat moored in prime spot near smart stuccoed homes. Canalside garden included.

Braithwait, 020 3871 8301

Wandsworth, SW18

(River Homes)

Prospect Quay, £1.8 million

Sensational split-level floating home with exuberant interiors. Five bedrooms, glazed reception and underground parking space.