New 5ft tenant for tiny 300-year-old council house

A landmark 300-year-old cottage - widely regarded as Britain's smallest council house - has a new tenant.

After two months and a flood of applications for the tenancy, a new tenant has been selected and is keen to welcome her first visitors to her home in Rayleigh, Essex.

The 17th century cottage is one of the most famous landmarks in the area but the Rochford District Council-owned house also has the distinction of  being possibly the oldest, smallest and most unusual council house in Britain. Under the tenancy agreement, the tenants open their home to the public on one day a week.

New tenant Fay Laslin, who stands 5ft tall, a perfect size for the house, was delighted to have been selected. She has a keen interest in local history and will be pleased to show people round the quaint house.

"Although the exact origins of the building are unknown, it has been a part of the Rayleigh scene for 300 years, and as an Essex person I have known about it for a long time, so it is fantastic to be living here now," said an excited Fay.

The 33-year-old stage manager added that as a local person with family living close by she felt drawn to the cottage and its history.

The Dutch Cottage measures just 20 feet across and makes an unusual home. While it has all modern conveniences it also has some unusual characteristics including living space arranged around a central fireplace and a bedroom in the roof reached by a steep ladder/staircase.

Tours of the Dutch Cottage are available by appointment of Wednesday afternoons.