this city is not a place to enter my 20s with!

These two parts of the ward are completely different worlds. The western Runley Wood part is mostly Interwar and post-war development, while the main Dallow area is Victorian and Edwardian development and much more dense as a result. Although the Runley Wood area takes up the majority of the ward by land space, a lot of its land is used for industrial buildings and the rest of the residential space is less dense, meaning it only houses at most 30% of the ward's population. Renaming the ward ensures that the people living in the western section are accurately represented under a title that truly reflects the area.

Luton house prices and rents: latest published figures

ONS figures show Luton’s average sale price was £285,000 in July 2026, up 0.5% annually. Average monthly private rent was £1,222 in August, up 2.7%.

These are monthly published figures, not changes over the past week. The local picture is broadly stable sale prices alongside rising rents.

Source: https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/housingpriceslocal/E06000032/

Disclosure: I work as an estate agent in Luton.

Are these figures consistent with what people are seeing when buying or renting locally?

Luton selective and additional licensing applications are temporarily unavailable: what happens now?

Luton Borough Council currently says its application system for selective licensing and additional licensing is unavailable, so it cannot accept applications under those two schemes at present. The schemes themselves have not been suspended. The problem is the application route.

There is an important distinction: mandatory HMO licensing and enforcement are unaffected. Landlords whose properties require a mandatory HMO licence should continue with that process.

Is this fair on landlords?

It would be unreasonable to expect someone to submit an application through a system that cannot accept it. The Council says it will not begin enforcement action for failure to license under the selective or additional schemes during this interruption. It also says it will announce when applications can be submitted again and give landlords a reasonable opportunity to apply before taking enforcement action for that failure.

That assurance is specific. It does not put every landlord obligation on hold. The Council expressly reminds operators of small HMOs that the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 still apply. Landlords should continue dealing with safety, repairs and proper management.

Which scheme applies?

Selective licensing covers qualifying privately rented properties in designated parts of Luton’s Town Centre and Park Town areas.

Additional licensing covers qualifying smaller HMOs across the borough, generally where three or four people forming two or more households occupy the property. A small HMO within the selective licensing area needs the appropriate additional licence rather than both licences.

Mandatory HMO licensing generally concerns properties occupied by five or more people forming two or more households who share facilities. Again, that scheme is unaffected by the announced application problem.

What should landlords do while they wait?

Check the property’s address, occupancy and household arrangements to establish which scheme applies. Prepare the details and documents needed for the application and keep certificates and management records current.

It is sensible to save a dated copy of the Council’s notice and any correspondence about an attempted application. If you submitted an application before the system became unavailable, check its status rather than assuming it needs to be submitted again.

The Council has not given a reopening date on its licensing pages. Check for its announcement and submit the correct application promptly when the route reopens. If your property has unusual occupancy or licensing circumstances, ask the Council’s Private Sector Housing team for an answer specific to that property.

The practical takeaway: selective and additional applications are temporarily unavailable; mandatory HMO licensing continues; the underlying property duties still apply.

Sources: Luton Council’s selective licensing page and additional licensing page. Information checked 28 September 2026.

I’m possibly moving to Luton soon, I’ve heard there are areas to avoid mainly at night…. Can anyone give me some advice? Thanks!

Hi guys,

Will be relocating to Luton area as it is affordable to rent and easy enough to commute to work. I have looked in a location called London Road, does anybody know if this is a relatively good area/ or if I should avoid (crime etc).

I do not know much about Luton however all I have seen is mixed reviews.

Thank you

Looking for my dad’s long lost friend : Alison Davis

Studied French and German translation at PCL, now University of Westminster, from 1981 to 1985.
Born and raised in Luton. Cosmetics journalist in early 1990s. Mother worked at Luton Airport in the 80s.

Styled herself on Siouxsie from Siouxsie and the Banshees.

My dad’s name is John, his nickname: Terry in the Minder. My mother’s name is Corinne.

We’ve tried FB and LinkedIn but deadends.
We tried contacting the school and they had nothing they could share …

Let’s have a reunion !!!!

Oh and I say dad because he’s the one who spoke to me about it. Mum would love it as well

Hi everyone,

I am sharing this on a throwaway account to respect the family’s privacy while trying to gather as much support for them as possible.

A family right here in Luton has just suffered an unimaginable loss. A devoted wife and mother tragically passed away due to sudden, severe complications following brain surgery and pneumonia.

Along with the immense grief of this unexpected loss, the family is facing mounting financial pressure from medical and funeral expenses. If you are in a position to donate, or if you could simply share the link to help it reach more people in the area, it would mean the absolute world to them:

https://gofund.me/929b17d45

Thank you so much for reading

Looking for a driving test swap for a closer date at Luton test centre.
Currently booked for- 4th of February at 14:22pm
At Leighton Buzzard

If anyone has a driving test date they are willing to swap between November and January- would be appreciated😃

I am part of the Bookmarks Book Club that meets on the first Thursday of every month at the Central Library at the Luton Town Centre. We are looking for more people to join our meetups. It's super casual, and we pick a new book every month. There are also drinks and refreshments there.

If you are interested in coming, you can send me a message or email info[at]lutonlibraries.co.uk and ask about the book club at the Central Library. We'll let you know all the details you need.

To be clear, the next meeting is tomorrow: Thursday, September 3rd, 2026 at 2pm.

hello everyone so i am moving to luton and just want to know what is the best place to stay that makes moving to and fro from the l& D hospital easier, and how is the public transport, and if there is anything to know that would make my life easier or common knowledge that is not common. also recreational activities and communities.

P.S moving from london

Hello

Why are there so many drunk/drug fuelled angry homeless people on George Street?

It's really shocking to see and listen to.

Is he doing good

Hi all, looking for real-world experience from anyone commuting from Leagrave / Luton into East London.

My situation is that I work in zone 5 east London and would go in 2 to 3 days/week. looking to move to Luton/Leagrave but looking at the commute, its 1hr 45 mins drive or about 2hrs each way by train. Train season ticket is a ridiculous number! driving is cheaper but i am worried it will tire me out in the long run. Has anyone done the drive across to Gidea Park area? Is it as painful as it looks and does it vary massively day to day?

Many thanks