London: Recent Example of BW tactics against unauthorised residential boats

While looking for something else I found this in a set of BW's recent user group meeting notes:

Q. Boats overstaying in large groups at the same site are effectively creating an estate without planning consent. If the facilities at Fieldes Weir are closed, where will the Elsan containers be emptied?

A. The facilities at Stanstead Abbots are not a long distance away, so boaters should go there instead.

Q. Will the water supply be turned off at Fieldes Weir?

A. Yes, all the facilities will be suspended. There are currently boats moored illegally which are permanently connected to the BW water supply, so turning it off will make them move.


(Source: page 6 - East London User Group meeting notes: )


In the housing sector restricting access to water and sanitation would likely be deemed an act of harassment under the protection from Eviction Act?

(3A) Subject to subsection (3B) below, the landlord of a residential occupier or an agent of the landlord shall be guilty of an offence if—

(a)he does acts likely to interfere with the peace or comfort of the residential occupier or members of his household, or

(b)he persistently withdraws or withholds services reasonably required for the occupation of the premises in question as a residence, and (in either case) he knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, that that conduct is likely to cause the residential occupier to give up the occupation of the whole or part of the premises or to refrain from exercising any right or pursuing any remedy in respect of the whole or part of the premises.

(Source: Protection from Eviction Act 1977)

Apparently BW have no such qualms.

Boats of course are not subject to the Protection From Eviction Act, so BW and others can do stuff like this with apparent impunity?