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.
Council tenant right to buy discounts
21 November 2024
The Housing (Right to Buy) (Limits on Discount) (England) Order 2024 reduces the maximum discounts for new applications for the Right to Buy from 21 November 2024 onwards. For example, the maximum discount for London was previously £136,420. This has now been reduced to £16,000 in most boroughs. The changes also increase the relevant time period for the cost floor rule to 30 years.
View amended articleLiability for council tax
11 November 2024
This new page explains who is liable to pay council tax on residential property. It sets out the hierarchy of liability, including owners, tenants, and licenses, and when a tenant has a material interest in a property they have left. It covers students, HMOs, joint liability for residents and couples, and exemptions for deceased residents. This page was produced in partnership with Shelter's Specialist Debt Advice Service.
View amended articleBanned tenant fees and penalties for landlords
8 November 2024
This page has been reviewed and updated. A landlord or agent must not charge a tenant a banned fee, and financial penalties can be imposed on landlords or agents who breach the tenant fees rules.
View amended articlePriority need of people who have been in care
7 November 2024
A new table breaks down priority need by age group and care history and sets out exceptions.
View amended articleComplaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
30 October 2024
This page has been reviewed and updated. Updates include new information about how the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman can make recommendations for local authorities to put things right, including taking corrective steps, making service improvements and issuing financial remedies.
View amended articleQualifying debts in a debt relief order
7 October 2024
This page has been updated to reflect an Insolvency Service policy change that allows a debtor to omit certain debts from a DRO application. A debtor can leave out a debt if the payments are up to date. In some cases, the payments can count as an allowable expense.
View amended articleSupport for mortgage interest
7 October 2024
On 9 September 2024 the amount a homeowner can receive through SMI increased to 3.66%. The repayment rate is 3.9%.
View amended articleFitness for habitation in rented homes
1 October 2024
In Jillians v Red Kite Community Housing [2024] Oxford County Court (24 September 2024) reported on Nearly Legal 29 September 2024, the County Court considered a claim that a property was not fit for human habitation under section 9A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. In assessing this, the court applied case law on whether a property was fit for human habitation under section 1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972. The County Court also held that expert evidence about health hazards was not a necessity for a court to find that a property was unfit for human habitation.
View amended articleComplaints 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 article