New Shelter chief promises “more collaborative” approach to landlords

Homeless charity to adopt new tactics and plans to get different parts of the property industry around the table.

Shelter will take a less combative approach to landlords and will work more closely with them as it moves from campaigning on renters’ rights reform to a new phase focused on delivery, according to new Shelter boss Sarah Elliott (pictured).

It is a marked contrast to her predecessor, Baroness Neate, who became a thorn in the side of the private rented sector and accused landlords of “cutting corners” while warning the government was “too cowardly to stand up to a small minority of landlord MPs”.

Elliott says, “I’ve come in at a really exciting time, with these big wins in the sector. So I feel the real responsibility now is how we bank those and build on them.”

I think we’re very pragmatic, and I think our role will need to evolve.”

A major part of that, she argues, is working directly with landlords as reforms bed in. “Similarly, with renters’ rights, how do we enforce rights in a context where local authorities are really, really short of resources? How do we work as a partner in that system to make these things a reality?”

She describes plans for Shelter to adopt new tactics and take a more “convening” role. “I think we’re very pragmatic, and I think our role will need to evolve.”

Where there are rogue landlords who are not doing the right thing, we clearly will not be on their side.”

She told Inside Housing that she has already held a “constructive meeting” with the chief executive of an association representing private landlords to discuss the impact of upcoming changes to Section 21 notices.

But she draws a clear line over poor standards. “Where there are rogue landlords who are not doing the right thing, we clearly will not be on their side,” she says. “But I do think we’re going to have to work as a collective if we’re going to improve the system and end homelessness.”

Elliott adds, though, that Shelter will still act as an “uncompromising campaigner”. “It’s in our DNA – and it’s a really important role to play… we cannot be complacent.”