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.
Rent lawfully due from the tenant
29 August 2025
This page has been updated. It covers what rent is lawfully due from the tenant, who is liable for paying rent, guarantor agreements and high or low rents.
View amended articleCouncil tax disability reductions
27 August 2025
This new page explains when a local authority must reduce a council tax bill on a dwelling where a disabled person is resident and the property has certain features or adaptations. This page was produced in partnership with Shelter's Specialist Debt Advice Service.
View amended articleCouncil tax discounts
27 August 2025
This new page explains when a local authority must apply a discount to a council tax bill when there are less than two people who are classed as residing in the dwelling. This page was produced in partnership with Shelter's Specialist Debt Advice Service.
View amended articleDeductions from universal credit for fuel
27 August 2025
This new page explains when the DWP can deduct an amount from a claimant's universal credit standard allowance to make payments to an energy supplier towards a fuel debt.
View amended articleDeductions from universal credit for rent arrears
27 August 2025
This new page explains when the DWP can deduct an amount from a claimant's universal credit standard allowance to pay rent arrears or eligible service charge debts and what happens when a claimant has multiple deductions.
View amended articleDebt solutions for benefit deductions
30 July 2025
This new page explains how and when insolvency solutions like debt relief orders, bankruptcy, and IVAs can be used to stop a deduction from universal credit or housing benefit, as well as the impact of a fraudulent claim on possible debt solutions. This page has been produced in partnership with Shelter's Specialist Debt Advice Service.
View amended articleHabitual residence test for homelessness assistance
21 July 2025
From 18 July 2025, people who leave a country or territory following UK government advice or an evacuation are exempt from the habitual residence test. The exemption applies where someone makes a homelessness or housing register application within six months of the government advice or evacuation. The change was introduced by the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) and Persons Subject to Immigration Control (Housing Authority Accommodation and Homelessness) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
View amended articleDebt and insolvency solutions for council tax
21 July 2025
This new page explains how council tax arrears are treated in different forms of insolvency, including when bankruptcy or a debt relief order includes the council tax due for the remainder of the financial year. It covers breathing space moratoriums, and reductions and discounts to deal with outstanding sums. This page was produced in partnership with Shelter's Specialist Debt Advice Service.
View amended articleHomeless applicant assessment of needs
17 July 2025
In AA, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Waltham Forest [2025] EWHC 1625 (Admin), the local authority argued a homeless applicant was wrong to challenge a housing needs assessment through judicial review. The authority suggested the applicant should wait for an offer of accommodation and then request a section 202 internal review of suitability. The High Court held judicial review was the correct approach, as there was no right to an internal review of the housing needs assessment under section 202 Housing Act 1996. The applicant did not have to wait for an offer of accommodation.
View amended articleLocal authority steps in personalised housing plans
17 July 2025
In AA, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Waltham Forest [2025] EWHC 1625 (Admin), the High Court held that where a homeless applicant needed support to apply to the housing register, it was unreasonable to exclude this from the steps agreed under a personalised housing plan. Steps to secure accommodation through a Part 6 housing allocation could be steps to relieve homelessness.
View amended article