Shelter’s new chief executive, Sarah Elliott, has signalled a willingness to engage with private landlords as part of a broader effort to tackle the UK’s ongoing housing crisis. In a recent interview with Inside Housing, Elliott revealed that she had held a constructive meeting with the chief executive of a private landlord association, marking a potential shift in how Shelter approaches the private rental sector. While she did not name the association, the meeting appears to indicate that Shelter is open to dialogue with landlords to help improve housing outcomes for tenants.
Elliott, who took over as head of the charity in September last year following Polly Neate’s seven-year tenure, emphasised the need for collective action to address homelessness. She described Shelter’s role under her leadership as a “convening role,” bringing together councils, housing developers, charities, and private landlords to create systemic solutions. While Elliott made clear that the organisation will not support rogue landlords who fail to meet their responsibilities, she stressed that meaningful change will require collaboration across the housing sector.
One key area discussed in her meeting was the impact of the Section 21 eviction abolition under the Renters’ Rights Act. Elliott highlighted that understanding how these reforms affect both tenants and landlords is crucial, suggesting that Shelter intends to work constructively with the private rented sector while maintaining a focus on tenant protections. She described the organisation’s approach as pragmatic and adaptive, reflecting the reality that improving the housing system requires engaging all relevant stakeholders, not just housing charities or government bodies.
This approach marks a clear departure from her predecessor, Polly Neate, who was often critical of private landlords and accused the Conservative government of favouring vested interests over renters’ rights. Neate previously highlighted Section 21 evictions as a significant driver of homelessness, although government evidence suggested the issue was more complex. Under Neate, Shelter took a more confrontational approach to landlords, advocating strongly for legislative protections for tenants. In contrast, Elliott appears to be positioning Shelter as a mediator and facilitator, seeking solutions through collaboration rather than confrontation.
Elliott also emphasised the importance of expanding social housing supply as part of the charity’s strategy. She indicated that Shelter plans to work closely with councils and housing developers to address shortages in affordable homes and reduce pressures on the private rental market. By fostering dialogue with private landlords, Elliott hopes to build a system where landlords are incentivised to provide fair, stable housing, while tenants are protected from exploitative practices.
Industry experts have noted that this more cooperative approach could allow Shelter to influence positive change in the private rented sector without compromising its core mission of protecting tenants. By balancing accountability for rogue landlords with constructive engagement for responsible ones, Shelter could help ensure that legislative reforms, such as the Section 21 abolition, achieve their intended outcomes.
Elliott’s comments suggest that under her leadership, Shelter is seeking to evolve beyond a solely advocacy-based role to one that actively brings together different parts of the housing sector. This includes working with local authorities, developers, and landlords to address homelessness and improve housing standards, while also maintaining a focus on fairness and tenant protections.
Ultimately, Shelter’s new strategy under Elliott reflects a recognition that solving the UK’s housing crisis requires collaboration and collective responsibility. While the charity will continue to challenge poor practices, it also appears ready to foster partnerships with stakeholders who are committed to positive change, signalling a new chapter in how Shelter engages with the private rented sector and broader housing ecosystem.
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