About fifty of the Trust’s smaller houses and cottages are let on the agreement that the tenant allow public access on an agreed basis. These properties have either an historic or architectural interest or an association with a famous person. Vacancies for such lettings are few and far between.

The sensitive nature of these houses means that tenants will usually have to comply with the Trust’s conservation requirements, which may extend to the garden as well. Conservation and curatorial staff provide help and advice for the tenants.

Tenants for these properties are carefully chosen and must be people who are sympathetic to the Trust’s aims of caring for historic properties and making them accessible to the public. They must be prepared to accommodate the conservation requirements of the building, and any historic contents, and to offer a warm welcome to visitors when their home is open to the public.

The length of tenancy varies but will usually be around 10 years. Tenants are able to terminate the tenancy before the full term, and the rent is agreed at a level which reflects the need to open the property to the public.

When these lettings become available they are advertised in the national press and property publications. (NB Vacancies are rare so the Trust does not keep a waiting list.)