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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 article
  • Council 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 article
  • Council 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 article
  • Deductions 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 article
  • Deductions 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 article
  • Debt 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 article
  • Habitual 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 article
  • Debt 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 article
  • Homeless 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 article
  • Local 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