Letting in the New Forest: the rules and the numbers

What applies to rented homes in the New Forest, in one place: the licensing schemes and where they run, planning limits on house shares, what housing allowance pays, typical rents, and how local homes rate on energy. Every figure shows its source and date. For one property, enter its address above.

Last updated: August 2026

Licences

We haven't checked this council's own licensing schemes or planning limits on house shares yet, so we can't say whether any apply here.

Anywhere in England, a house share of 5 or more people from more than one household needs a licence from the council - an HMO licence.

Housing allowance

Housing allowance is the most that benefits pay towards a tenant's rent each month.

In the Bournemouth area: £426.33 for a room in a house share, £695.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £875.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £1,150.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £1,550.00 for a 4-bedroom home.
In the Salisbury area: £426.33 for a room in a house share, £650.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £780.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £915.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £1,250.00 for a 4-bedroom home.
In the Southampton area: £425.00 for a room in a house share, £700.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £875.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £1,075.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £1,450.00 for a 4-bedroom home.

Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Local Housing Allowance rates from 1 April 2026

Rents

The average rent here is £1,244 a month, up 1.7% on a year before.

1 bedroom: Average rent £864; Housing allowance £695.00 Bournemouth; Housing allowance £650.00 Salisbury; Housing allowance £700.00 Southampton
2 bedrooms: Average rent £1,132; Housing allowance £875.00 Bournemouth; Housing allowance £780.00 Salisbury; Housing allowance £875.00 Southampton
3 bedrooms: Average rent £1,391; Housing allowance £1,150.00 Bournemouth; Housing allowance £915.00 Salisbury; Housing allowance £1,075.00 Southampton
4 or more bedrooms: Average rent £1,988; Housing allowance £1,550.00 Bournemouth; Housing allowance £1,250.00 Salisbury; Housing allowance £1,450.00 Southampton

Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Local Housing Allowance rates from 1 April 2026

1 bedroom: £864 a month
2 bedrooms: £1,132 a month
3 bedrooms: £1,391 a month
4 or more bedrooms: £1,988 a month

Source: Office for National Statistics private rents, August 2026 (provisional - it may still be revised)

Energy ratings

49% of local homes with an energy certificate are rated C or better.

Source: Office for National Statistics, energy certificates up to March 2025