Lune Valley Rural Housing Association merger with SLH
If you are looking for Lune Valley Rural Housing Association, you’re in the right place, but our name has changed.
All 118 homes and services are provided by South Lakes Housing (SLH) as a result of the successful merger with SLH on 31st March 2026.
We are delighted to welcome former LVRHA residents and customers to the SLH family.
What has happened?
South Lakes Housing was acting as managing agent for LVRHA since 2019.
Following a successful consultation period, the merger between Lune Valley Rural Housing Association and South Lakes Housing completed on 31st March 2026.
If you were a current LVRHA tenant on 31st March 2026, South Lakes Housing is now your landlord and is responsible for:
- Managing your home
- Repairs and maintenance
- Safety checks and compliance
- Responding to housing‑related enquiries
All services are delivered under the South Lakes Housing name.
The conditions of your tenancy agreement have not changed as a result of the merger and you will have the same level of legal rights and protection that you had before the merger.
What stays the same?
Having acted as LVRHA's managing agent for over five years, if you were an existing LVRHA's tenant, SLH has become your new landlord. The conditions of your tenancy agreement will not have changed as a result of the Merger. You will continue to have the same level of legal rights and protection that you had before the Merger.
We know continuity matters, especially for rural communities.
✔ You remain in your current home
✔ Your tenancy agreement and legal rights are protected
✔ Your rent continues in line with existing arrangements
✔ Support continues where it is needed
Our approach has been to build on the strengths of LVRHA and the relationships residents value.
What does the merger mean for you?
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Benefits from partnership
The overriding benefit of merger is greater stability of service delivery and operational management for the tenants of the former LVRHA with an aligned asset base, governance and customer service delivery.
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Board representation
Nick Paxman, Chair of the LVRHA Board at the time of the merger, has been appointed as Non-Executive Director of the SLH Board. This has helped with the transition and will ensure that the promises made to Lune Valley tenants are met.
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Local services
There is no change to the way tenants receive services currently, with enhanced opportunity for resident engagement.
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Improved value for money
Operational efficiencies are being achieved in housing maintenance and management, with VAT saving on repairs, and the removal of corporate duplication, separate insurance, audit and consultancy and a strengthened merged financial plan to create additional provision of new affordable homes.
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Commitment to the local area
SLH has operated for some time in the Lune Valley area and is growing its partnership links. Combining the two entities has cemented the commitment to the area and brought rich local knowledge and relationships.
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New affordable homes
The merged entity, will commit to developing new affordable homes in the Lune Valley area as part of its ongoing development programme.
Nick Paxman joins South Lakes Housing Board
We are delighted that Nick Paxman, Chair of Lune Valley Board until 31st March 2026 joined South Lakes Housing Board, bringing a wealth of experience and insight into rural housing service delivery within the Lune Valley.
Questions about the merger
Has my landlord changed as a result of the merger?
Yes – your landlord has changed and is now South Lakes Housing (SLH). The conditions of your tenancy agreement have not change as a result of the Merger, and you have the same level of rights and protection that you had before the merger.
Are my rent or service charge affected?
Your rent / service charge have not changed as a result of the Merger.
The annual rent review has changed from October to April to bring the rent accounting periods in line with South Lakes Housing. LVRHA would normally be setting its rent in October 2026 to increase in line with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Rent Standard and Government rules for setting rents. This increase is to be deferred for 6 months as a result of the merger.
We will continue to review charges every year, as we do at the moment, in line with your previous tenancy agreement. Rent increases will only be made in line with guidance and requirements issued by the Regulator of Social Housing (as they were before the merger).
Would there be a change to how I pay?
You will still be able to pay your rent in exactly the same way. However the account you pay into may have changed since the Merger. We will tell you about any changes you need to make to the payee’s details.
Have my repairs, grounds maintenance or cleaning contractors changed?
No, SLH was already providing these services to tenants in its role as managing agent, so there are no proposed changes. The current contract is with JR Vegetation Ltd and Pilling Parish Council will continue within their local remit.
Would I have the same contact at LVRHA (e.g. my Housing Officer)?
SLH already provided services to you and other LVRHA tenants as its managing agent, so there were no proposed changes to these arrangements. Your main landlord contact is 0300 303 8540; this has not changed as a result of the Merger. Your Neighbourhood Partner will remain as Jackie Preston-Yates.
Would the way I contact you change?
Contact details have not changed as part of the Merger. You will still be able to contact your landlord using the telephone number 0300 303 8540. The email address of LVRHA will remain active for 6 months, and you will then be advised to use the SLH contact email of customerservices@southlakeshousing.co.uk
How are tenants able to influence the way the new organisation operates?
We are committed to providing ways for you to get involved and help us improve our services. We are keen to hear what you think, what’s important to you and how we can improve our services.
Our commitment to hearing our tenants’ voices and giving you opportunities to influence how we design and deliver our services remains a priority.
We will work with our current tenant groups to make sure that your voice continues to be heard on issues relating to you.
How can tenants get involved?
Get involved – there will be more opportunities to get involved in holding South Lakes Housing to account and making a difference to services provided in your homes and communities.
Getting involved can be anything from completing a short survey about a service you have received to joining a dedicated customer group. For example, by becoming a Neighbourhood Champion who acts as eyes and ears – they tell SLH how its contractors such as grounds maintenance and repairs, are doing and where improvements can be made.
Annual Reports and Financial Statements
You can download the most recent LVRHA report/statement by clicking on the PDF’s below:
If you would like to get in touch about the merger, please complete our form
View our Privacy notice.
South Lakes Housing
Bridge Mills Business Centre
Stramongate
Kendal
United Kingdom
LA9 4BD
