Letting in West Northamptonshire: the rules and the numbers

What applies to rented homes in West Northamptonshire, 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 checked: 26 September 2026

Licences

Selective licensing: Not here
Additional licensing: In parts of the area
Article 4 on house shares: In parts of the area

Additional licensing - house shares in parts of the council's area need a licence from the council, until 23 February 2030.
House shares and planning - turning a home in parts of the council's area into a house share for 3 to 6 people from more than one household needs planning permission first. The council calls this an Article 4 direction.

Check where additional licensing applies Check where the Article 4 direction applies

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.

Source: West Northamptonshire Council, checked 26 September 2026

Housing allowance

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

In the Cherwell Valley area: £466.50 for a room in a house share, £775.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £950.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £1,185.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £1,450.00 for a 4-bedroom home.
In the Leicester area: £395.42 for a room in a house share, £540.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £650.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £775.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £1,050.00 for a 4-bedroom home.
In the Milton Keynes area: £501.33 for a room in a house share, £775.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £925.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £1,195.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £1,495.00 for a 4-bedroom home.
In the Northampton area: £410.62 for a room in a house share, £645.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £750.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £900.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £1,160.00 for a 4-bedroom home.
In the Northants Central area: £375.86 for a room in a house share, £550.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £695.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £795.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £995.00 for a 4-bedroom home.
In the Rugby and East area: £425.00 for a room in a house share, £595.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £725.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £850.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £1,200.00 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 £1,084 a month, up 3.3% on a year before.

1 bedroom: Average rent £752; Housing allowance £775.00 Cherwell Valley; Housing allowance £540.00 Leicester; Housing allowance £775.00 Milton Keynes; Housing allowance £645.00 Northampton; Housing allowance £550.00 Northants Central; Housing allowance £595.00 Rugby and East
2 bedrooms: Average rent £954; Housing allowance £950.00 Cherwell Valley; Housing allowance £650.00 Leicester; Housing allowance £925.00 Milton Keynes; Housing allowance £750.00 Northampton; Housing allowance £695.00 Northants Central; Housing allowance £725.00 Rugby and East
3 bedrooms: Average rent £1,166; Housing allowance £1,185.00 Cherwell Valley; Housing allowance £775.00 Leicester; Housing allowance £1,195.00 Milton Keynes; Housing allowance £900.00 Northampton; Housing allowance £795.00 Northants Central; Housing allowance £850.00 Rugby and East
4 or more bedrooms: Average rent £1,681; Housing allowance £1,450.00 Cherwell Valley; Housing allowance £1,050.00 Leicester; Housing allowance £1,495.00 Milton Keynes; Housing allowance £1,160.00 Northampton; Housing allowance £995.00 Northants Central; Housing allowance £1,200.00 Rugby and East

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

1 bedroom: £752 a month
2 bedrooms: £954 a month
3 bedrooms: £1,166 a month
4 or more bedrooms: £1,681 a month

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

Energy ratings

57% of local homes with an energy certificate are rated C or better.

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