PRS Conference November 2017 - Working Together for Positive Change

Housing Rights, with support from TDS NI, will be holding it’s annual conference on private renting in Northern Ireland on Wednesday 15 November 2017, at the Skainos Centre, East Belfast. The conference will examine best practice for the private rented sector (PRS) across the UK and Ireland.

Reserve your place by booking online or email [email protected]. 

Working together

With 17% of households now living in the sector, the PRS in Northern Ireland has seen unprecedented growth over the past decade.

This growth has seen the landscape of the sector change- including becoming home to people from all demographics.  This, coupled with the ongoing impacts of Welfare Reform, means there is a need for a greater focus on creating a sustainable sector which will work for all involved.

Need for positive change

This one day conference will identify steps we can take to ensure change will work for all. It will

• explore alternative ways of resolving housing disputes to help both parties maintain a tenancy,
• examine how promoting good practice and compliance throughout tenancies is beneficial for both tenants and landlord
• consider some of the models that have worked in other jurisdictions.

The Speakers

We’re delighted to have Brian Robson from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) deliver the keynote address. Brian leads JRF’s programme on Housing and Poverty.  The programme aims to set out policy and practice approaches to enable more effective housing responses for those living in poverty in the UK.

Bethan Jones will look to the role of licensing in the Private Rented Sector. Bethan currently leads Cardiff Council’s Rent Smart Wales, following the designation of Cardiff Council as the Single Licensing Authority for delivery of the legislation across Wales.

Natasha Miller from Shelter Scotland will be talking about Letting Agent Plus. As the development officer for Shelter Scotland’s Letting Agent Plus pilot project, Natasha will be presenting how this project has improved access to and sustainability of tenancies within the private rented sector across the central belt of Scotland.

Also from Scotland, we are delighted to welcome John Blackwood from the Scottish Landlords Association. John Blackwood has worked in the private rented sector for over 20 years and is widely recognised as one of the foremost experts on all aspects of the Scottish private rented sector.

Local contributions include John Anderson from Choice Housing, who will be highlighting the role of Housing Associations in the PRS.

Brian Speers, Partner at CCD Solicitors, will be looking specifically at the role of dispute resolution. Brian is regarded as one of the most experienced solicitor mediators in Northern Ireland and has pioneered the use of mediation for the resolution of commercial disputes and has lectured extensively in mediation both locally and internationally.

There will also be panel discussions with contributions from Threshold, TDS NI, Housing Rights, Belfast City Council, Chartered Institute of Housing, Trading Standards and Landlords Association of Northern Ireland.

Who should attend?

This event provides an excellent opportunity for those involved in the field of housing to engage, network and proactively consider how we can work together to achieve a sector that works for everyone.

It will be of great benefit to housing professionals, landlords, council workers, tenants and academics who want to know what changes we need to improve  the private rented sector in Northern Ireland.

Early Bird Booking Offer – 10% off

Members of Housing Rights will pay only £112.50 for all bookings made before 6 October (£125 after). Non members will pay £135 (£150 after).

Bookings can be made online, by email or by calling 028 9024 5640.