London Living Rent

Discover how the London Living Rent scheme works.

For current renters looking to get onto the property ladder in the capital, London Living Rent (LLR) could be the perfect option to help you build up a deposit by saving extra money each month.

What is London Living Rent?

Funded by the Mayor of London, LLR is a Government-backed scheme that enables you to rent a home at a discounted rate – sometimes up to as much as 50% less than a similar property on the open market. This helps you to save additional money each month, which can go towards buying a home through Shared Ownership.

The main benefit to renting an LLR home is that you can go on to purchase your home, saving at your own pace. Plus, all properties that are on the LLR scheme guarantee tenants of an assured shorthold tenancy of a minimum of three years and a maximum of ten.

Watch our video which explains all about the London Living Rent scheme.

How much will I pay to rent a London Living Rent property?

The amount that you pay will depend on the location of the home you are renting.

To ensure that LLR continues to offer the best possible affordable option for renters in London, the Mayor publishes benchmark London Living Rent levels for every neighbourhood in the capital, which are updated annually. These are based on a third of average local household incomes and adjusted for the number of bedrooms in each home.

In most boroughs this will be a significant discount to the market-level rent.

Am I eligible for London Living Rent?

London Living Rent (LLR) is an excellent option for middle-income Londoners who want to save towards buying a home.

To be eligible for a London Living Rent home, you must:

Live or currently work in London.
Be able to provide one month’s rent in advance and five weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit.
Have the right to rent – proven by possession of British/EU/EEA Citizenship or a valid UK residency visa.
Meet the minimum income and affordability standards – this will depend on the price of the home you are interested in.
Minimum income requirements should be used as a guide and can vary depending on a household’s circumstances and financial commitments.
Have a formal tenancy (for example, in the private rented sector) or live in an informal arrangement with family or friends as a result of struggling with housing costs.

London Living Rent (LLR) candidates must not:

Already own a property or be in the process of buying.
Be able to afford a similar home through Shared Ownership or on the open market.
Have a household income that exceeds £60,000.
Have an adverse rental history, for example, rent arrears or damage to a property.
Have a history of bankruptcy, defaults, county court judgments (CCJs) or Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVAs).

Please note that there will be a priority given to tenants who are in council housing, individuals who are Ministry of Defence personnel, and those threatened with homelessness.

Apply now and confirm your eligibility for London Living Rent with L&Q

Apply here

"Having the opportunity to buy the home you're renting is exciting" Beth from L&Q at The Sugar Works

Read our latest case studies that explore renting with L&Q through the London Living Rent scheme.

Find a home that's right for you with London Living Rent

London Living Rent Homes

Frequently asked questions about London Living Rent:

Who is LLR for?

The LLR scheme is for people who cannot afford to buy a property through Shared Ownership or on the open market. The aim is to have the capacity to buy either all or a share of the property at any time within ten years.

How long will my tenancy be?

An initial 3 years Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) will be given with an option to renew at the end of the term, for up to ten years.

How is my rent calculated?

LLR rents are based on one-third of average local household incomes, as defined by the GLA.

Will my rent increase?

Rent will increase annually in line with CPI.

What happens if I am unable to buy after ten years?

You will be unable to renew your tenancy and the property will be returned to L&Q.

What happens if my income changes throughout the tenancy?

Should your circumstances change within your tenancy term, you will be required to inform your Property Manager who will advise you accordingly.

Can I upsize or downsize?

Yes, subject to availability, application and prioritisation.

Can I add or remove someone from the tenancy?

Yes, following an initial 12-month period, subject to eligibility and written consent. You will be required to undertake all reference checks again should the household change.

Is there a break clause?

Yes, a 12-month break clause within the three years fixed term AST.

Can the terms in the tenancy agreement be amended?

No, household members who are 18 years and older will be named on the tenancy as joint and several liability, they must also meet the eligibility criteria.

Will my savings be assessed throughout the tenancy?

During the tenancy period, we may from time to time contact you to discuss and review your plans and progress towards saving for a deposit.

Is there a set amount of money I need to save every month?

No, L&Q do not determine a fixed monthly saving as part of the LLR tenancy.

Who is my security deposit protected and registered with?

Your security deposit will be registered and protected by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS).

When will my security deposit be returned?

You will be contacted by your Property Manager and negotiations surrounding the release of your security deposit within 10 working days of your tenancy end date.

Is there gas in the property?

Most of our properties do not have gas. Where there is no gas at a development, heating and hot water will be supplied by a communal heating system. In these cases, your household will sign up to a fixed supplier who supplies the energy throughout your tenancy.

Is there parking available?

This varies by development. However, most of our developments do not have parking available and due to local restrictions, you will likely be unable to apply for a resident parking permit.

Are pets permitted?

Pets may be permitted with prior written consent. There may be additional charges from our freeholders and third-party agencies.

What happens after my tenancy is up?

When you’re ready to purchase your LLR home, we have a friendly Homeownership team on hand who can help guide you along the next steps. We also have trusted Independent Financial Advisors and Mortgage Brokers who can also assist in your buying journey.