We want every Lace home to be affordable and manageable — helping you move in with confidence and stay comfortable for the long term.
Our team is here to guide you through costs, benefits, and budgeting so you can make informed choices that work for you.
Whether you rent or buy through shared ownership, affordability is about more than the price of your home — it’s about feeling secure, supported, and able to live well.
Our approach
Affordability isn’t just about rent — it’s about peace of mind.
During your Pre-Tenancy process, we’ll talk through your individual circumstances, explain every cost clearly, and help you access any financial support you may be entitled to.
Read our Pre-Tenancy Service Standards.
What we check
Before you move in, we’ll:
Review your income, savings, and regular expenses.
Explain your rent, service charge, and any care or support costs.
Help you use entitledto.co.uk to estimate Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, or Pension Credit entitlement.
Confirm your first rent payment (always made in advance).
All checks are confidential and designed to help you feel financially ready, not to exclude you.
If you qualify for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, these payments can help cover part or all of your rent.
We’ll explain how they work and support you through any applications, ensuring payments are made on time. We normally ask that you have benefits paid directly to you and we always ask for rent payments to be made by Direct Debit.
We can also signpost you to independent advice if you need help understanding claims or appeals.
See Apply for a Home for guidance on documents and affordability checks.
We’ll help you explore ways to maximise your income through benefits such as:
Pension Credit – which can increase your weekly income and unlock extra help with other costs.
Attendance Allowance – for those needing personal support.
Our team can also connect you with independent money advice, local support groups, and benefit specialists if you’d like more detailed help.
Useful links:
entitledto.co.uk → Check your benefit entitlement.
MoneyHelper → Free independent money and pensions advice.
Age UK Lincolnshire → Local support and guidance.
If your circumstances change — for example, your income, care needs, or household situation — please let us know straight away.
We’ll review your situation with you, check your benefit entitlements, and help you plan to continue paying your rent and service charges on time.
Our aim is to work with you early, so your tenancy stays secure and affordable for the long term.
