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.
Assured tenancies
1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act changed most private tenancies into assured tenancies on 1 May 2026. This page covers private and social assured tenancies, including assured tenancy rights.
View amended articleSection 8 notices
1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act introduced new and amended possession grounds for private assured tenancies from 1 May 2026. This page covers section 8 notices served on private or social assured tenants.
View amended articleAssured tenancy mandatory grounds from 1 May 2026
1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act changed mandatory grounds for assured tenancies. This page covers mandatory grounds for section 8 notices served on private assured tenants from 1 May 2026.
View amended articlePossession when a landlord wants to sell or move in
1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act introduced new and updated grounds for possession for private assured tenancies, including ground 1 for when the landlord wants to move into the property and ground 1A for when the landlord wants to sell. This new page covers the rules for private tenancies from 1 May 2026.
View amended articleRental discrimination
1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act changed rental discrimination rules from 1 May 2026. A landlord or agent must not discriminate against prospective tenants who claim or might claim benefits or have children under 18. This page has been updated to cover the new rules.
View amended articleLegal definition of homelessness and threatened homelessness
1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act has changed the definition of threatened with homelessness. From 1 May 2026, a private tenant is threatened with homelessness if they have been served with a valid section 8 notice which expires within 56 days. This page has been updated to cover the new rules.
View amended articleTenancies 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.
View amended articleTenant'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.
View amended articlePrivate rented accommodation
1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act has changed private renting rules. From 1 May 2026, landlords must advertise a set rent and must not accept or encourage higher bids. This page has been updated to cover the new rules.
View amended articleRent repayment orders from 1 May 2026
1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act changed the rules on rent repayment orders from 1 May 2026, including introducing new offences, extending timescales, and increasing the maximum amount to 2 years' rent. This new page covers the rules for rent repayment orders from 1 May 2026 onwards.
View amended article