Policy Library
Policy, research and good practice work forms a major part of Shelter's efforts to address and find solutions for homelessness and housing issues.
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage
The Renters' Rights Bill is a watershed moment for England's 11 million renters. However, we need MPs to support 4 key amendments to make the bill as strong as possible for renters
Published: 8 January 2025
Briefing: Investment in social housing: the sustainable solution to child poverty
Shelter briefing to the Child Poverty Taskforce. The housing emergency facing the country is one of the key drivers of child poverty: more than a million children in the UK are growing up in poverty due to the cost of their family’s rent. If the government is serious about eradicating child poverty, then it must urgently address the record number of children homeless in expensive and damaging temporary accommodation
Published: 3 January 2025
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage - Amendment NC11 (guarantors)
This amendment seeks to strengthen protection for tenants against discrimination by restricting the circumstances in which a landlord can legitimately request a guarantor
Published: 2 January 2025
Homelessness in England 2024
Homelessness is on the rise across England. This research report sets out new analysis on how many people are homeless, and where homelessness is most acute.
Published: 11 December 2024
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage - Amendment 9 (rent stabilisation)
A third (34%) of private renters are paying half or more of their income on rent; well beyond the 30% that is commonly regarded as the upper limit of 'affordable'. Alarmingly, 29% say they could not afford any rent increase at all, while a further 24% say they would need to cut back on essential spending, fall behind on bills or need to borrow money. This amendment (9) introduces measures to stabilise rents during tenancies which would ensure the government can meet its commitment of delivering greater security for renters in England, as well as empowering tenants to challenge unfair rent increases. – as well as empowering tenants to challenge unfair rent increases.
Published: 28 November 2024
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage - Amendment 7 (national landlord register)
The private rented sector in England suffers from a lack of transparency in local rental markets. While the Renters’ Rights Bill introduces the framework and legislative powers to establish a Private Rented Sector Database, its effectiveness hinges on the database being comprehensive, detailed and current. A fully functioning, detailed database has the potential to drive up standards in private renting and ensure the rights and regulations in the Bill are implemented effectively.
Published: 27 November 2024
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage - Amendment NC3 (rent in advance)
Many tenants are asked to pay rent upfront at the beginning of their tenancy, creating a significant barrier to finding a privately rented home. 59% of private renters reported having to pay rent in advance to secure a property, with some facing demands for 6 months or more upfront. This has proved an impossible challenge for 835,000 tenants, who said the demand prevented them from securing a property in the last 5 years.
Published: 20 November 2024
Evidence submission: Shelter's submission to the Renters' Rights Bill committee
Shelter's submission to the committee of the Renters' Rights Bill, calling for limits to rent increases and greater protection from discrimination for renters
Published: 31 October 2024
Shelter's Response to the National Planning Policy Framework Proposals (2024)
Shelter's response to National Planning Policy Framework proposals 2024
Published: 1 October 2024
Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill Second Reading
As we head to second reading of The Renters' Rights Bill, there is much to welcome. But it could go further to give the complete overhaul the private rented sector we desperately need.
Published: 27 September 2024