Council’s lettings service helps hundreds of people stay local
Published 16 July 2025
A long-standing lettings service run as not-for-profit in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse has helped over a thousand people find affordable homes locally so far, and many landlords find new tenants.
White Horse Lettings has created around 50 new tenancies each year* since it began in 2007. Run by Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils, the service connects private landlords with potential tenants in need of housing, matching people with a suitable, affordable property.
The councils offer ongoing support to both tenants and private landlords – with the aim of providing a stable home for the tenant and a steady income for the landlord throughout the tenancy.
Landlords who use the service have support with tenancy agreements, inventories, property inspections and safety and legal guidance. Services are free of charge for landlords – and landlords retain 100 per cent of the rental income.
Andy Bellis, local landlord, says: “Our current tenant through White Horse Lettings has been in our property for 10 years now. They were able to source our tenant originally, providing all the tenancy paperwork and support to ensure the tenant understood the process. My contact at the council is available to assist with any queries that I or the tenant have throughout the entire tenancy.”
Rebecca Fisher, local landlord says: “I’ve been a landlord for the council for over 15 years and have three properties they help me with. They help me find new tenants and supply paperwork for the contracts. Once signed up and tenants are in property the council are always on hand to help with any queries I or the tenant may have.”
Depending on a tenant’s circumstances, as well as helping them find a property, the councils often advise and assist tenants in managing financially and accessing financial support such as applying for Universal Credit or help with a deposit.
Yana is renting a property, she says: “White Horse Lettings helped me find a flat, for which I’m incredibly grateful. I managed to rent a place after the very first viewing.
“What really made a difference was that they supported me not just with finding a property, but also with communication with the landlords, who turned out to be genuinely kind and open.
“I was particularly grateful for the support with the paperwork – the legal side of things was completely new to me, and their help meant I could avoid any mistakes and go through the whole process smoothly.
“The move ended up being not only stress-free, but genuinely pleasant. I’m deeply thankful and I’ll be more than happy to reach out to them again in the future.”
Cllr Andy Crawford, Cabinet Member for Housing at Vale of the White Horse District Council said: “There is a high demand for affordable homes in the area, and our lettings service continues to make a good contribution to helping meet that need. It’s one of many ways in which we help provide the homes people need.
“Landlords who want to provide an affordable home for a family or individuals can make a hugely positive impact on peoples’ lives. We have so many stories of where that partnership proves very rewarding for both the tenant and the landlord.”
Cllr Maggie-Filipova-Rivers, Cabinet Member for Housing at South Oxfordshire District Council said: “Whilst the service secures good rental returns for landlords – it’s also an opportunity for landlords to do something positive and worthwhile by supporting people who need a home.
“Working with private landlords in this way helps people access genuinely affordable, suitable long-term accommodation and stay in the local area.”
More information about the free service White Horse Lettings offers to landlords is on our websites:
southoxon.gov.uk/whitehorselettings
whitehorsedc.gov.uk/whitehorselettings
*50 new tenancies each year is the average figure since White Horse Lettings began in 2007, with a total of just over a thousand new tenancies so far
ENDS
Editor’s notes:
The councils help households secure different types of housing, including supported housing and housing association accommodation – depending on the households’ circumstances. White Horse Lettings works exclusively with private sector landlords to create affordable and long-lasting tenancies for people in housing need.
