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.
Universal credit capital rules
3 March 2025
The Social Security (Income and Capital Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 disregard compensation payments made under the Ministry of Defence's LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme for income and capital assessments under housing benefit and universal credit. The regulations bring the change into effect from 28 February 2025.
View amended articleCouncil tax enforcement
28 February 2025
This new page explains how a local authority can take steps to enforce a council tax debt using enforcement agents, attachment of earnings, a charging order, bankruptcy, or committal to prison. This page was produced in partnership with Shelter's Specialist Debt Advice Service.
View amended articleRelationship breakdown in a tenancy
27 February 2025
This new page covers the rights and options of occupiers after a relationship breaks down in private or social rented accommodation.
View amended articleBuying the freehold or extending the lease of a house
31 January 2025
From 31 January 2025, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (Commencement No.2 and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025 bring into force section 27 of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. The section removes the requirement for leaseholders to have held a lease for at least two years before they can extend their lease or buy the freehold.
View amended articleLocal connection in homelessness applications
21 January 2025
In Hussaini v Islington London Borough Council [2025] EWCA Civ 22, a homeless applicant challenged an authority's local connection referral, arguing that his need to access support from a refugee centre in the borough gave him a local connection under special circumstances. The authority upheld its decision on review, noting that the applicant did not actually need to reside in the borough to access support. The Court of Appeal held that while a need to live in the area was not essential for a local connection under special circumstances, it was reasonable for the authority to take account of whether it was an actual requirement to be resident to access support. The applicant's appeal was unsuccessful.
View amended article