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.
Briefings: 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
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
Briefing: Delivering security through the Renters’ Rights Bill
The new Renters' Rights Bill is our opportunity to ensure security, stability and certainty for tenants and their families in England's private rented sector
Published: 27 September 2024
Briefing: Local Authority Enforcement and the Renters' Rights Bill
In order to ensure the Renters' Rights Bill fully delivers for private renters, Local Authorities must be able to enforce new private rented sector regulation
Published: 27 September 2024
Briefing: Tackling discrimination in the Renters' Rights Bill
The new Renters' Rights Bill can only truly overhaul the private rented sector if it ends all forms of discrimination and ensures fair access to housing for all
Published: 27 September 2024
Joint briefing: Why scrapping the household benefit cap is vital for families, children and survivors of abuse
Research from Shelter, Women's Aid and Child Poverty Action Group on the impact of the household benefit cap
Published: 17 September 2024
Briefing: King's Speech 2024
As the new government introduces legislation for the first parliamentary session and decides its areas of focus, one of its urgent priorities must be to tackle the housing emergency.
Published: 12 July 2024
Brick by Brick: A Plan To Deliver the Social Homes We Need
This comprehensive report sets out a six-point plan to build the 90,000 new social homes a year that this country needs to end the housing emergency.
Published: 11 July 2024
Research: Council Housing Social Rent Delivery
England needs at least 90,000 social rent homes a year to end the housing emergency. Shelter commissioned Arup to assess how many social homes councils can deliver annually and what is needed to boost delivery. The report specifically focuses on the delivery of social rented homes, with rents tied to local income.
Published: 11 July 2024
Social homes - Open letter to all political leaders
Ahead of the 2024 General election, businesses, charities and think tanks across England have come together to support the Made in Social Housing campaign to reassert our shared call for all political parties to commit to delivering a new mass social housebuilding programme. The campaign highlights the positive impact that social rent homes have on the people who grow up in it.
Published: 30 May 2024