A
houseboat (different from boathouse, which is a shed for storing boats) is a
boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a
home. Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually
moored, kept stationary at a fixed point and often tethered to land to provide utilities. However, many are capable of operation under their own power.
Float house is a Canadian and U.S. term for a house on a float (raft), a rough house may be called a
shanty boat.