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New homes and housing · Leicestershire

Social Housing in Leicester

How are new social rent homes delivered in Leicester?

In Leicester, as across the UK, Land to Homes aims to bring forward new social rent homes with councils and housing associations, either within a mixed development or as a scheme built entirely for a social landlord. We handle land, planning and construction. The landlord owns and manages the homes, sets the rent within the rules and allocates them from its housing list.

Newly completed terrace of two-storey affordable homes with small front gardensLeicester · LE1

Register your interest

Tell us where you want to live and what you need. Free, no obligation.

Registering interest is not a housing application. Social and affordable homes are allocated by councils and housing providers through their own lists.

Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.

  • Free to registerNo fees, no deposit, no obligation
  • Hear firstIf homes are released near you
  • Affordable homesWith councils and housing associations
  • Clear informationTenure, specification and warranty
  • UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI

Homes we plan around Leicester

Our Leicestershire coverage is centred on Leicester, postcode district LE1, and reaches 7 other places. Close by, our coverage also takes in Oadby, Wigston and Loughborough. Within England, Leicester falls in the East Midlands region. Our head office in Great Barr, Birmingham, is about 34 miles away.

People registering interest around Leicester can tell us whether they want two- and three-bedroom family homes, one- and two-bedroom apartments or homes for shared ownership. As Leicester is in England, applications are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

Register for Leicester and we will contact you if we bring homes forward nearby.

How we work in Leicester

Homes for social landlords

We plan and build social rent homes for councils and housing associations to own, manage and let to households from their lists.

We do not allocate homes

Allocations are made by councils and housing providers through their own lists and policies. We cannot add anyone to a list or influence who is offered a home.

Built to landlord standards

Social landlords have their own design and quality standards, and we design to them from the outset so homes are ready to transfer.

Whole-site schemes

We can also discuss schemes built entirely for a council or housing association, on land we bring forward or land the landlord already owns.

Rules that apply in Leicester

Affordable homes in Leicester are usually funded through a mix of Section 106 contributions from market schemes and grant from Homes England's Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026 to 2036, or from the Greater London Authority in London. Registered providers, regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, own and manage most of them. Land to Homes can bring forward land and build homes for councils and housing associations, including homes for Social Rent.

In England, social rent homes are owned by councils and registered providers regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, with rents set under the Rent Standard. Councils allocate homes under their published allocation schemes, often through choice-based lettings. New social homes are usually secured through Section 106 agreements or funded with grant through Homes England, or the Greater London Authority in London.

Key rules in Leicester
National planning policyNational Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance
Land registrationHM Land Registry
How a sale becomes bindingA land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry.
Developer contributionsSection 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it

Social Housing in Leicester: questions

Can I apply to Land to Homes for a social rent home?

No. Land to Homes does not allocate social housing or keep a housing list. Social homes are allocated by councils and housing associations through their own lists and policies. To apply, contact your council's housing team or local housing associations. In Northern Ireland, apply through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, which manages the common waiting list.

Does building new social homes shorten waiting lists?

New social homes add to the supply that councils and housing associations can allocate, which helps, but waiting times depend on local demand, turnover of existing homes and allocation policies. We cannot say how any individual household would be affected. Your council's housing team can explain local waiting times and your position on the list.

Who owns and manages new social homes?

A council or a housing association, often called a registered provider in England and a registered social landlord in Wales and Scotland. The landlord sets the rent within the rules that apply, handles repairs and manages tenancies. A developer such as Land to Homes builds the homes and transfers them, but does not manage them as a social landlord.

How is social housing allocated?

Councils and housing associations allocate social homes using published allocation policies that give priority to households in housing need, such as people who are homeless, overcrowded or living in unsuitable housing. Many areas use a shared register or choice-based lettings, where applicants bid for advertised homes. The details vary by council and by nation.

Can I register for new homes in Leicester?

Yes. Registering for Leicester is free and does not commit you to anything. There are no homes available yet; if we bring homes forward in or near Leicester, we will contact you.

Read more: Social Housing · Guide: Renting a new-build home: tenancy rules in England, Wales, Scotland and NI

Own land that could take new homes?

Start with a free, no-obligation site appraisal. On option and promotion agreements we fund the planning work and pay your reasonable legal fees.

CallRegister interest