What's new on Shelter Legal
The pages on Shelter Legal are updated regularly to reflect changes in the law.
This page lists the most recent updates to Shelter Legal.
Complaints to the Housing Ombudsman Service
27 September 2024
This page has been reviewed and updated, including additional information about when a professional can complain to the Housing Ombudsman on behalf of a tenant.
View amended articleSecure tenancy notice seeking possession
24 September 2024
A landlord can serve a notice on a secure tenant to start the possession process using a ground for possession.
View amended articleCourt orders at a possession hearing
12 September 2024
At a possession hearing, the court decides whether to make a possession order, adjourn the claim, or dismiss the claim.
View amended articleTenant's defence and counterclaim process
11 September 2024
This new page explains how a tenant can defend a possession claim and counterclaim against a landlord to avoid a possession order.
View amended articleTenant defences to possession
11 September 2024
A tenant's defence to a landlord's possession claim could include defects in proceedings, discrimination, human rights, and counterclaims for damages.
View amended articleTenant's rights when a landlord is repossessed
9 September 2024
This page has been updated with information about when a freeholder takes possession against a mesne tenant leaseholder, putting a resident tenant at risk of losing their home.
View amended articleAssignment of a tenancy
29 August 2024
This updated page covers when a tenant can transfer their tenancy to another person using an assignment by deed.
View amended articleMutual exchange for social tenancies
29 August 2024
This new page explains when a social housing tenant can exchange by assigning their tenancy to another tenant.
View amended articleSection 8 notices
27 August 2024
A landlord can serve a notice using section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 to end an assured or assured shorthold tenancy on a ground for possession.
View amended articleStatutory rules for rent increases for assured tenants
22 August 2024
Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 allows a landlord to raise the rent on a periodic assured or assured shorthold tenancy by giving the tenant a notice of increase in the prescribed form. A tenant who disagrees with the rent increase can refer the notice of increase to the First-tier Tribunal. The Tribunal might make a decision some time after the notice period expires. In Alexander & Anor v Middleton [2024] UKUT 182 (LC), the Upper Tribunal held events that happen after the date the new rent was due to start should not affect the calculation.
View amended article