Key Worker Living Rent Homes
Key Worker Living Rent (KWLR) is a new type of affordable housing designed to help middle-income Londoners – especially key workers – who are finding it hard to afford to rent a home that suits their needs.
These homes will be high-quality and offered at rents based on key workers’ typical earnings. Rents (including service charges) will be set using key workers’ average household incomes, making them more affordable than private rentals.
In most cases, tenants will be able to stay in their homes for the long term if they wish. However, some homes may be offered on shorter tenancies, especially if they’re linked to a tenant being employed by a specific organisation.
Most homes will be for individual households – such as single people, couples, or families. The Mayor also wants some landlords to offer shared homes for single people who might not be able to afford to rent on their own.
Rents and service charges
When homes are first let, landlords must set rents (including service charges) at or below benchmarks set by the Mayor.
These benchmarks are based on 40 per cent of the average net income of London’s key worker households. This is the level the Mayor considers affordable for those who can’t afford to rent or buy privately.
Rent levels vary depending on the number of bedrooms and the borough. The average rent for a two-bedroom Key Worker Living Rent home across London is £1,310, which is significantly lower than the average private rent for a home of that size.
There are separate rent benchmarks for homes let to sharers.
The Mayor will update these benchmarks every year before the new financial year begins. Once a home is let, landlords can only increase the rent once a year – and by no more than the Consumer Price Index plus 1 per cent.
Who can apply
To be eligible for a Key Worker Living Rent home, you must:
- live or work in London
- either rent privately or live with family/friends because of housing costs
- have a household income of £75,000 or less
- not own another home
- be unable to buy a home in your local area (including through shared ownership).
Local councils and other landlords are encouraged to prioritise key workers for these homes during the first three months of marketing, using the Mayor’s list of key worker occupations (PDF). They may add other roles, depending on local needs.
Finding a home
Homes funded by the Mayor will be advertised on the Mayor's Homes for Londoners property search tool.
Support for developers building new homes
The Mayor is encouraging developers, including housing associations, local councils and other providers, to build Key Worker Living Rent homes. He’s offering support through his Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-36.
Key worker living rent homes consultation
The Mayor consulted on plans for Key Working Living Rent between November 2024 and March 2025. In January 2026, he published a Planning and Housing Practice Note outlining the scheme, along with an equalities impact assessment and a consultation report.
Report on consultation on proposals for Key Worker Living Rent Homes
Planning and Housing Practice Note on Key Worker Living Rent homes
Key Worker Living Rent Homes equality impact assessment
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