Shelter calls for 5 year rental contracts
Shelter is campaigning to give renters a fairer deal and greater security by introducing longer rental contracts, they are calling on the housing minister Gavin Barwell to make five-year rental contracts available to renters. If necessary renters could leave such contracts early, but at least they’d have the option of staying in their home for a secure time period they say.
New research published by Shelter reveals the concern that families have with the present rental market, over the last ten years the number of renting families has more than doubled but the law has failed to keep in line with the needs of renters. One in four families now rent privately, 89% of renters told Shelter they thought short-term rental contracts are unfair.
On their Shelter Policy Blog they have listed FAQ’s ‘Longer rental contracts: How would they work? The leading question and reply: Why are you campaigning on this? The reason we’re calling for tenancies with five years of security is simple: they have the power to reduce homelessness and to make life more stable for renters, especially families. It would be a big improvement on the current status quo of 6-12 month contracts, and it’s been proven possible by the number of European countries with five-year, nine-year and indefinite rental agreements.
Read the Shelter Policy Blog with FAQ’s in full click here.
You May Also Enjoy
When Estate Agents Decide to Go Solo
What Should Buyers Ask Before Reserving a New Build?
The UK cities with the largest property price increases revealed
The UK’s Most Expensive Property Hotspots Revealed
Lloyds House Price Index – October 2026
