South Lakes Housing

What South Lakes Housing does

South Lakes Housing is a not-for-profit registered society (Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, Registration Number 31419R) established in 2012 and headquartered in Kendal, Cumbria, with 51-100 employees serving as a Registered Provider of social housing across approximately 1,000 square miles of South Cumbria and managing over 3,000 homes. Its purpose is to deliver affordable rented and shared ownership housing in rural South Lakeland communities, with social rents set at approximately 60% of local market rents and rent increases typically capped at the lower of government formula or 7% to minimize tenant impact. The organization retains a G1 (highest) governance rating from the Regulator of Social Housing, with a V2 viability rating, evidencing effective governance and adequate financial capacity for development plans.

The core product offering comprises social rented homes, shared ownership sales, repairs and maintenance including a 24-hour emergency hotline, specialized Independence at SLH housing for over-60s, and the Warmer Greener Homes sustainability initiative. Supporting services span a Community Improvement Fund, tenant contents insurance, pet-friendly homes, mutual exchange, and a network of wellbeing referrals covering financial advice, mental health, domestic abuse, and food bank access. Operational technology is modest and customer-experience focused: a 24/7 My Account self-service portal, online payments via AllPay, choice-based lettings through Cumbria Choice and Ideal Choice Homes, and video/photograph trials for property inspections. Differentiated capabilities include Passivhaus-standard developments targeting EPC A, with ambitions for all stock at EPC C by 2025 and net zero by 2050.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring social rental income (reinvested into stock maintenance, new development, and community programs) and one-off shared ownership sales, supplemented by government and regulatory grants - notably £3.5m from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund for retrofitting 905 homes and multiple Homes England development grants (£1.17m for Boon Town, £1.2m for Sedbergh). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via phone, email, the My Account portal, in-person appointments at headquarters, and community engagement events such as Summer Roadshows and estate walkabouts. The principal funnel for allocations is the regulated Cumbria Choice / Ideal Choice Homes choice-based lettings systems, while shared ownership sales are handled through a dedicated sales team and email channel.

Name

South Lakes Housing

Legal name

South Lakes Housing

Website

https://southlakeshousing.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

South Lakes Housing is a not-for-profit registered society providing affordable social rented and shared ownership homes across 1,000 square miles of South Cumbria, serving over 3,000 households through rents set at approximately 60% of market rates, supported by Homes England and SHDF grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Housing

NAICS

Rental and Leasing Services (532), Lessors of Real Estate (5311), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Senior & Assisted Living Residential Property Management (BPAJAFAE)

Keywords

• Social housing provision
• Affordable rental housing
• Shared ownership homes
• Housing association services
• Property maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kendal

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Social Housing Rents: South Lakes Housing generates primary revenue through rental income from its social housing stock. The organization is a not-for-profit housing association, with rental income reinvested into maintaining existing homes, developing new affordable housing, and supporting communities. Rent increases follow government formulas (typically capped at 7% in recent years to help minimize impact on customers). Social rents are approximately 60% of local market rents.
2. Shared Ownership Property Sales: Revenue is generated through the sale of shared ownership properties, where customers purchase a percentage share of a property and pay rent on the remaining share. This provides an entry point to homeownership for those who cannot afford to purchase outright.
3. Government Grants and Funding: South Lakes Housing receives government funding including Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund grants (£3.5m secured for energy improvements to 900+ homes) and Homes England grant funding for new developments (e.g., £1.2m for Sedbergh development, £1.17m for Boon Town development). These grants support but do not constitute primary operating revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

South Lakes Housing provides affordable rental homes at social rent rates (approximately 60% of local market rents) and shared ownership homes across South Cumbria, managing a portfolio of more than 3,000 properties. Core services include responsive repairs and maintenance, an online My Account tenant portal, specialized housing schemes for residents aged 60+, energy-efficiency retrofit and new-build sustainability programmes, and tenant support services covering financial advice, food bank referrals, mental health, and domestic abuse support.

Product overview

South Lakes Housing provides affordable housing services through a portfolio of interconnected offerings. The core services include social rented housing and shared ownership homes, complemented by a digital My Account portal for tenant self-service. Supporting services include repairs and maintenance, specialized housing for over 60s (Independence at SLH), sustainability programs (Warmer Greener Homes), and community initiatives such as the Community Improvement Fund. Additional offerings include pet-friendly homes, low-cost tenants contents insurance, and mutual exchange options. The organization operates primarily in South Cumbria, managing homes across the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Homes to Rent (Social Housing) Affordable rental homes at social rent rates, typically set at approximately 60% of local market rents, allocated via Cumbria Choice and Ideal Choice Homes choice-based lettings to eligible applicants across the South Lakes area of Cumbria.
• Shared Ownership Homes Part-buy, part-rent home purchase scheme allowing customers to buy a share (typically 25-75%) of a property and pay rent on the remaining share to South Lakes Housing, marketed via a dedicated sales team.
• Repairs and Maintenance Service Property maintenance and repair service for tenants including a 24-hour emergency repair hotline, scheduled responsive repairs, and planned home improvements such as adaptations.
• Independence at SLH (Housing for Over 60s) Specialized housing schemes for residents aged 60 and over providing independent living with on-site support services, adapted homes, and community facilities.
• My Account Tenant Portal Online customer portal allowing residents to manage their tenancy, pay rent, report repairs, update personal details, and access housing documentation at any time.
• Warmer Greener Homes (Sustainability Retrofit Programme) Energy efficiency retrofit and new-build sustainability programme helping tenants reduce energy costs through insulation, solar panels, air source heat pumps, and improved Energy Performance Certificate ratings.
• Low Cost Tenants Contents Insurance Discounted tenants contents insurance product available to South Lakes Housing tenants through a partner scheme to protect household belongings.
• Garage Lettings Rental of garages owned by South Lakes Housing to tenants and local residents across the South Lakes area.

Quantifiable outcome

• 905 homes will receive energy efficiency improvements through £3.5m SHDF funding
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kendal CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2025Educational partner providing free training and job opportunities for residents in partnership with CIDORI, supporting community employment and skills development.
• CIDORIminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2025Training and employment partner working with Kendal College to provide free training and job opportunities for South Lakes Housing residents.
• Lune Valley Community Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2023Community organization collaborating with SLH and Tyson Construction on Lune Walk sustainable development, demonstrating innovative partnership model for rural affordable housing.
• Elliott AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2023Development partner for Boon Town project (£4m, 28 homes in Burton-in-Kendal), providing architectural and design expertise alongside SLH and Tyson Construction.
• Westmorland and Furness CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 April 2023Local authority leading consortium that secured £5.1m SHDF funding for £10.3m retrofit project across Cumbria. SLH is key consortium partner for energy efficiency improvements to 905 homes.
• BroadacrescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 August 2022Housing association partner for Sedbergh development of 49 affordable homes (£11.5m). Multi-tenure scheme combining affordable rent, shared ownership, and market sale homes.
• EQUANScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 August 2022Construction partner for Sedbergh development utilizing air source heat pumps and energy-efficient technologies. Head of Technical Sam Matthews leading delivery.
• RPS Homeserve+ (Rothwell Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2022Gas servicing, maintenance and repairs contractor, awarded 5-year contract (with potential 5-year extension) through Procure Assist. Local contractor employing local people, having worked with SLH for 10+ years.
• Tyson ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2022Construction partner for multiple developments including Boon Town (28 homes in Burton-in-Kendal) and Lune Walk Passivhaus development. Partner in £4m Boon Town project and award-winning sustainable housing.
• Leck ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2020Local Barrow-based contractor delivering Ulverston Town Hall conversion (£2.1m, 17 affordable apartments) and Solway Drive development (22 homes on Walney Island). Over 80 years experience, highest quality A rating by NHBC.
• Groundworks NE and CumbriaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2019Community action partner working with SLH on environmental improvements in neighborhoods, including consultation with residents on large environmental projects.
• Butler Roofing, Rothwell Group, WRPS, Thomas Armstrong, OakmereminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2016Contractors who made generous donations to fund Winter Warmth Kits for sheltered residents, providing practical support during cost-of-living crisis.
• Age UK South LakelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Winter Warmth initiative providing energy advice and cost of living information leaflets for sheltered housing residents.
• Citizens Advice Bureau (South Lakes)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial advice partner collaborating on cost-of-living support initiatives and helping residents access benefits and support.
• Manna HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Winter Warmth Kits initiative providing practical support to sheltered housing residents during cost-of-living crisis.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Broadacres Housing Association: Small-to-mid sized rural-focused housing association operating in the North of England. Already a development partner with SLH on the Sedbergh 49-home scheme, demonstrating directly comparable size, geography, and affordable housing model.
• Eden Housing Association: Small housing association operating in rural Cumbria, including Eden District. Highly comparable geographic and operational profile to SLH — both serve rural Cumbria communities with affordable rented housing.
• Longhurst Group: Mid-sized housing association providing social rent, shared ownership, and supported housing across the Midlands and East of England. Comparable size, business model, and tenant mix to SLH.
• Origin Housing: Mid-sized housing association providing social rent, shared ownership, and supported housing services. Comparable business model and tenant mix, though operating in a different geography (London/ Hertfordshire).
• Coastline Housing: Small-to-mid sized housing association operating in rural Cornwall with a comparable mix of social rent, shared ownership, and rural development focus. Directly comparable scale and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Home Group: One of the UK's largest housing associations with ~60,000 homes across England, including rural areas. Larger and broader portfolio than SLH, but directly comparable in providing social rent, shared ownership, and supported housing services.
• Aster Group: Large UK housing association with ~34,000 homes across the South of England. Comparable in offering affordable rent, shared ownership, and supported housing for older residents, though at much larger scale.
• LiveWest: Large South West England housing association with ~38,000 homes. Comparable in providing rural affordable housing, shared ownership, and supported housing, but at significantly greater scale than SLH.
• Guinness Partnership: Large national housing association with ~65,000 homes and significant supported/specialised housing for older residents. Comparable in serving older resident segments and operating a community benefit model.

Emerging players

• Habinteg: Smaller specialist housing association focused on accessible and inclusive housing. Operates a similar social housing business model but with a narrower specialism, making it a partial peer in the affordable housing space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/southlakeshousing
• Xx.com/SLHNews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-lakes-housing

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Lakes Housing