Government funds Shelter to promote Renters’ Rights Act to tenants

The government claims it will raise awareness of the Renters’ Rights Act among tenants by increasing funding to Shelter.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed the government has already launched a communications campaign for landlords, with this set to be extended to tenants in April this year.

Mr Pennycook said the government is supporting tenants’ awareness of the Renters’ Rights Act by boosting funding to Shelter’s Expert Housing Advice Line.

Multi-platform communications campaign to raise awareness

In answer to a written question from Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde about what steps the government is taking to inform people of their housing rights under the Renters’ Rights Act, Mr Pennycook claimed guidance for tenants will be published in April.

Mr Pennycook said: “We have already published guidance for local councils and landlords to help them prepare ahead of implementation of Phase 1 from 1 May 2026. Guidance for tenants will follow in April.

“In addition, we have launched a multi-platform communications campaign to raise awareness of the Renters’ Rights Act. This includes a paid landlord-focused campaign, press work, and a new campaign site. This campaign will be extended in April to reach tenants and inform them of their rights.”

The government launched its Renting is Changing campaign for landlords and gives landlords an overview of the key changes.

Increased existing funding to Shelter’s expert housing advice line

Mr Pennycook adds Shelter have been given increased funding to help tenants be aware of the changes.

He said: “We are continuing to work closely with sector representative organisations and advice providers to make sure those who may be harder to reach understand what the reforms mean for them and have access to up-to-date advice.

“To support this, we have increased our existing funding to Shelter’s Expert Housing Advice Line.”

The housing advice line provides tenants with legal guidance on issues such as eviction and landlord disputes.

Shelter receives government funding and, in the most recent financial year, received more than £7 million from government contracts and £3 million from government grants.

As previously reported by Property118, the TaxPayers’ Alliance said in 2020 that Shelter received £15,204,000 in 2017–18 from a range of local authorities, government departments, public bodies and the London Councils Association.

The group criticised Shelter and other organisations, claiming that “quangocrats are awarding funds to yapping yes men, empowering certain viewpoints and distorting the decision-making process as they use their privileges to campaign for policy change.

“Government needs to stop funding the lobbying merry-go-round, and instead focus cash on taxpayers’ priorities.”

At the time, Shelter said that government funding for the provision of services is ring-fenced.