South Holland shows up well in comparisons of average monthly rents, claims district council's cabinet member for housing

Average monthly rents in South Holland are nearly 40 per cent cheaper than elsewhere in Lincolnshire, according to the person overseeing the area’s housing needs.

Coun Christine Lawton, portfolio holder for housing and health at South Holland District Council, was responding to government figures which showed that some tenants moving into social housing in the area were spending nearly a third of their income on rent.

The latest figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government showed that new social tenants spent, on average, 32 per cent of their monthly income on rent in 2017-18.

Although it is 59 per cent less than renting privately, the typical tenancy rent for social houses in South Holland was £81 per week, or nearly £350 a month.

In comparison, research by property website Home.co.uk found that the average monthly property rent in Lincolnshire was £605, excluding the cost of bills.

Social housing is let at low rents to those who are most in need or struggling with their housing costs, mainly by councils, housing associations and not-for-profit organisations, such as Spalding Town Husbands

Coun Lawton said: “South Holland District Council continues to provide affordable accommodation in seeking to help those in the greatest need of housing.

“The average monthly rent of a council property in South Holland is over £250 a month cheaper than the average market-rented property in Lincolnshire.

“Plus, we continue to support our tenants in managing their tenure through external support services, as well as offering help and advice from their designated housing neighbourhood officer.

“We understand the challenge many households have with ensuring their essential bills are paid each month and we believe that by contributing safe, well-maintained and affordable housing, we can continue to play a key role in supporting these residents in South Holland.”