What's new on Shelter Legal

Recovery of universal credit overpayments

26 June 2026

From 24 June 2026, the DWP can make a direct deduction order for universal credit and housing benefit overpayments. Where the claimant is not in receipt of benefits or it is not reasonably possible to recover through deductions from earnings, the DWP can make direct deductions from a person’s bank account to recover an overpayment.

Recovery of housing benefit overpayments

26 June 2026

Breathing space moratoriums

26 June 2026

This new page explains how a breathing space moratorium under the debt respite scheme can prevent creditor enforcement action for 60 days.

Mental health crisis moratoriums

26 June 2026

In Kaye v Lees, the High Court held that before placing a debtor in a mental health crisis moratorium, a debt advice provider must be satisfied that the person is suffering from a severe disorder which in other circumstances would justify overriding the free will of the person. The care must go beyond routine treatment. Failure to undertake the proper checks is a material irregularity that can lead to the cancellation of the moratorium.[ Kaye v Lees [2023] EWHC 152 (KB).

Local authority HHSRS enforcement

23 June 2026

From 22 June 2026, a local authority can impose a fine of up to £7000 where a landlord fails to take action to fix a category 1 hazard. This power has been introduced by section 6A Housing Act 2004, inserted by schedule 4 Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2026.

HHSRS definition of hazards

23 June 2026

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and updated Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Enforcement and Operating Guidance came into force on 23 June 2026. The regulations condense the list of hazards under the HHSRS to 21 from 29 and reduce the number of hazard bands. Government guidance has been updated with new hazard descriptions and new guidance on fire safety assessments. This page has been updated with the updated hazard descriptions.

Local authority steps in personalised housing plans

2 June 2026

In AA, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Waltham Forest [2026] EWCA Civ 626, the Court of Appeal held that steps to secure social housing under Part 6 are not steps that an authority can include in a personalised housing plan. The authority did not act unlawfully by failing to include help with a social housing application in a personalised housing plan.

What makes a section 21 notice invalid

8 May 2026

In Muca v El Amrani; Harker & Ors v Hubert & Anor [2026] EWCA Civ 515 the Court of Appeal considered the validity of section 21 notice where no gas safety certificate was provided for the gas safety check carried out before the tenancy started. The court held that the section 21 notice could not be valid, even if the landlord provided subsequent gas safety certificates.

Tenant's rights when a landlord is repossessed

1 May 2026

The Renters' Rights Act has changed mandatory ground 2 for possession for private tenancies. From 1 May 2026, a lender can use ground 2 to sell the property with vacant possession even if the mortgage started after the tenancy. This page has been updated to cover the new rules.

Tenancies that cannot be assured

1 May 2026

The Renters' Rights Act has updated the law on when tenancies cannot be assured. From 1 May 2026, some student lettings classed as purpose built student accommodation cannot be assured tenancies. This page has been updated to cover the new rules.