The Hearing

On February 23rd, 2012, a hearing was held to determine the "accessibility" of my houseboat, located at Gibsons Harbour. The outcome was predictable. I am required to either pay so-called "land taxes," or to seek expensive legal representation. Some choice.

I have no title of deed to this "land" and cannot change it in any way, cannot bequeath it to my heirs, and certainly cannot sell it or rent it out! I am either a renter or an owner - do I pay taxes or do I pay rent? Do campers, trailers, weekend boaters, anyone anchored anywhere for any length of time, even for those in tents, have to pay a portion of land taxes? I am in no way attached to the so-called "land" beneath my boat. The surface of the water is what I occupy, and for that I pay a hefty amount of moorage, otherwise known as rent. I also pay separately for my power and water. As well as that, I am charged a fee each month for garbage and washroom access. When I signed a lease agreement with the Harbour Authority, there was no mention anywhere of a requirement to pay land tax to the town of Gibsons. My boat has been tied up here for many years, there has not been on single case of any boats here being "assessed" and I am apparently the only one here who has been! Why should I pay both? I was informed that my boat mus be mobile, but never told it must be moved on any schedule.

My understanding is that BC assessment is responsible for assessing real land. My boat is, was, and always will be a boat. I bought this for the purpose of traveling to and anchoring at, many of the small coves and inlets on our coast, without the expense and aggravation of having to pay for accommodation everywhere I went. In every harbour there are a number of people who travel in, and stay on, their boats, for a few days, months, or years. Will they be "assessable" too? Will this also apply to anyone with a camper, RV, Fifth wheel? What of the thousands of retired fish boats and tugs, which are anchored all along the BC Coast?

I have spent significant amounts of money to keep my vessel in condition to travel, doing yearly maintenance on the hull, and keeping the engines, console, batteries and cables in peak operating condition.

I have never heard of any case in which an operational vessel has been assessed a property tax. BC Assessment has cited three examples of "similar sales" to me. There is no similarity. A house mounted on a float is not self-propelled or self_contained, and I believe that this mobility and move-ability is an essential difference!

The internet really is fun.

My second post, just to see how it all goes.

Thank God for the kids. I have no idea what I'm doing.

look at at that... I put a picture in.

Hello World!

Well look at me, I'm a blogger!