Your guide to gifts in wills
Leave a gift in your will to Shelter – and help define a new era.
Now's the time for real change
Millions of people across the UK are living in the grip of the housing emergency, forced to navigate unaffordable rents, unsafe conditions and a broken welfare system.
We believe that a safe home is a fundamental right. If you agree, and you've had enough of watching governments fail to fix the system, then now's the time to do something about it.
Leave a gift in your will to Shelter
To solve the housing emergency, we need the kind of change that will define a new era. One where millions of people can escape homelessness and unsafe housing forever.
This isn't a small change, it's huge – and it will take a lifetime. But together, we can achieve it. Watch our video to see how you could be part of the movement.
Watch video
Our vision for change
Campaign for 90,000 new social homes a year
Your gift could help bring about a historic renewal of social housing so that, in the future, everyone has a place to call home.
Fight for housing rights
Your gift could help our support services stand shoulder to shoulder with people as they fight for their housing rights – and tackle injustices like unfair eviction.
Force through new rent reform laws
Your gift could help fuel the campaign for renters' rights, and protect people from exploitation and unsafe housing.
Create a movement
Your gift could help galvanise a movement that forces the government to recognise the housing emergency – and take action to end it.
This is what change looks like
Now, I'm happy and secure. My son is overjoyed. I'm just really, really grateful to Shelter.
When Sarah's mum died just weeks after a cancer diagnosis, Sarah didn't expect to lose her home as well.
Sarah and her family were forced to move out of the housing association home they'd shared with her mum. For the next three years Sarah and her son Ishmael – and later, newborn CJ – lived in temporary accommodation, sometimes without light, heating or hot water.
When Sarah got in touch with Shelter, she was given expert advice that meant that she and her two children finally found a safe, secure social home.
Right now, 117,450 households are living in temporary accommodation in England. The highest level on record. We need change – big change.
With your gift, you could help families like Sarah's find a safe and stable home.
Types of gift you can leave
A share of your estate
You can leave Shelter a percentage of your remaining estate, once all other gifts and debts have been paid.
Known as a residuary gift, this type of gift will not be eroded in value by inflation over the years. And even a small percentage can make a big difference.
A cash gift
You may wish to leave a specific sum of money, known as a pecuniary gift. If you choose to do this, remember to keep your will up to date so your gift doesn’t lose its value over time.
Your home
You can leave your home or a specific property you own. This type of gift can make a huge impact in defending the right to a safe home for thousands of families. For example, a house which sells for £290,000 could help a staggering 10,000 people get advice through our emergency helpline and avoid losing their homes.
See our information on leaving your home to Shelter:
Leave your home to ShelterWrite your will for free
We've partnered with will writing experts to give you the chance to write or amend your will for free.
We'd really appreciate it if you decide to remember us when you do, but you're under no obligation to leave a gift to us when using these services.
Write your will for free
Ways to write your will
Face to face
Use the National Free Wills Network to get your will made using a trusted, local solicitor. You can refer yourself by requesting a free will writing pack. Alternatively, email your name and address to legacies@shelter.org.uk or call 0344 515 1617.
Online
Write your will online for free with expert will writers, Farewill, and get support via chat or phone.
Telephone
Speak to one of Farewill's will specialists on the telephone and have your will sent to you by post to sign.
Request a callback or call 0208 050 2686 and quote ‘Shelter’.
Useful information
Finding a solicitor
Making or changing your will is simple if you have the right professional help. To find a solicitor, contact the Law Society of England and Wales or telephone 020 7320 5650. Before you see your solicitor, you may wish to complete an asset checklist and take it with you to your appointment.
Inheritance tax
Gifts in your will to registered charities are free of inheritance tax (IHT). So if the value of your estate is more than the tax threshold, a gift to charity could reduce the burden of IHT. Also, if you leave 10% or more of your estate to charity, this can reduce the rate of IHT from 40% to 36% on some assets. Find out more information about inheritance tax.
Keep your will safe and up to date
Wills often get lost or mislaid over time, so make sure to keep yours safe – and up to date. We recommend leaving a copy with your solicitor, or with someone you trust. Alternatively, you can register your will with the National Will Register, for a small fee.
Will writing resources
You can download these resources to help you with writing your will.
Our asset checklist will help you get a better idea of what your estate is worth.
Our codicil form can be used for amending your existing will.
Our will wording guidance for solicitors provides suggested wording for your client's will.
If you've decided to leave a gift in your will to Shelter, we’d love it if you told us. Knowing helps us to plan for the future, and it means we can say thank you properly.
Tell us your plansContact us
If you have any questions about leaving a gift in your will to Shelter, please contact Daisy in our Gifts in Wills team.
Phone: 0344 515 1617
Email: legacies@shelter.org.uk