Housing advice booklets
This content applies to England only.
Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. This page applies to England only. Get advice relating to Scotland
Shelter produces a series of handy booklets giving information about a range of issues. Our housing advice booklets give practical, action-focused tips and avoid using specialist housing jargon.
Housing advice booklets can be downloaded free, or organisations wishing to purchase bulk orders of the guides can do so through our bookshop.
Homeless? Read this
The rights you may have to get help from the council if you have nowhere to stay or are about to lose your home.
Finding a place to live
How to get temporary housing and how to find a more permanent home.
Private tenants - paying a deposit
What a deposit is for, how and when it should be returned, and what you can do if your landlord tries to keep it unfairly.
Housing benefit and local housing allowance
How to claim, how the amount you get is calculated, and what you can do if you think a decision about your claim is wrong.
Rent arrears
Having problems paying your rent? Find out what you can do, and whether the landlord can evict you.
Mortgage arrears
How to deal with mortgage arrears. Helpful if you need to work our your options, or are worried about your lender taking court action.
Know your rights: information about housing and homelessness for young people
This housing advice booklet is specifically written for people aged 16 to 25. Know your rights!
Council tenancies
Information about how to get a council place and the rights that council tenants have.
Housing association tenancies
The rights that a housing association tenancy gives you, and how to apply for one.
Private tenancies
This housing advice booklet gives information for people who rent their homes from private landlords.
Gas and fire safety
Information about gas and fire safety regulations for people who rent their homes.
Harassment and illegal eviction
What you may be able to do if your landlord is breaking the law.
Getting repairs done
Who's responsible for getting the work done, and how to take action if the landlord won't carry out repairs that are their responsibility.
Relationship breakdown
This housing advice booklet outlines the housing rights you have if you are splitting up with a partner or spouse.
Asylum seekers and refugees
Details of the help and support you can get if you are an asylum seeker, a refugee, or an appealing or unsuccessful asylum seeker.
Agricultural tenancies
This leaflet briefly explains the housing rights you have if your home is provided as part of your job on a farm.
