About Sterling

STERLING is a specialist practice dedicated to the engineering, operation and valuation of residential vessels and floating moorings.

The company combines nearly a decade of experience supporting houseboat communities on the tidal Thames with access to heavy shipyard facilities at Turks Yard, Chatham Historic Dockyard.

STERLING is led by Jez Hermer MBE, whose work includes:

  • development of residential mooring estates
  • design and operation of floating infrastructure
  • authorship of the forthcoming National Houseboat Safety Scheme
  • Design and build of multiple high-end houseboats
  • Operation of multiple residential moorings sites

STERLING provides independent technical insight across every aspect of river living.

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Understanding Floating Property Value

Buying a houseboat is not the same as buying a boat.

Nor is it the same as buying a property.

The value of a floating home is created by the relationship between three separate components:

1. the vessel
2. the mooring
3. the licence that governs occupation

Understanding how these interact is essential when assessing risk, value and long-term suitability.

STERLING specialises in interpreting that relationship.

The Vessel

The vessel itself provides the physical accommodation.

Its value depends on:

  • structural condition
  • design quality
  • services installation
  • insulation performance
  • internal layout
  • maintenance history
  • compliance status

Unlike leisure craft, residential vessels must perform as permanent homes. This places far greater importance on heating, ventilation, utilities integration and structural detailing above the waterline.

The Mooring

For most residential houseboats, the mooring contributes a substantial proportion of total value.

In some locations, the mooring represents the majority of the asset’s worth.

Factors affecting mooring value include:

  • location
  • planning status
  • residential designation
  • service connections
  • infrastructure quality
  • access arrangements
  • estate management structure
  • long-term security of tenure

Understanding these elements is critical when comparing apparently similar vessels in different locations.

The Licence

The licence governing occupation is often the least understood component of floating property ownership.

Licence terms determine:

  • duration of tenure
  • transferability
  • renewal rights
  • resale conditions
  • service obligations
  • compliance requirements

Two identical vessels on the same river can differ significantly in value depending solely on the structure of their mooring licence.

STERLING provides specialist advice interpreting licence terms and assessing their practical implications for owners and purchasers.

A different type of property decision

Because floating homes combine vessel ownership with mooring tenure, they sit somewhere between vessel ownership, marine engineering and residential property.

Traditional marine surveys assess the hull.

Traditional property advice assesses the location.

Neither approach on its own provides a complete picture.

STERLING’s role is to bring perspectives together, allowing owners and purchasers to understand the full structure of a floating residential asset, including the mooring tenure and security, before making a decision.

Independent advice for buyers, owners and estates

STERLING supports:

  • private purchasers
  • houseboat owners
  • estate operators
  • mooring licence holders
  • administrators
  • developers of floating residential infrastructure

Our work helps clarify both the technical condition of a vessel and the long-term security of the tenure that supports it.