TO BE PUBLISHED March 2027
Starting from:
£99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will consider next steps for the private rented sector and implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 in England, with main tenancy reforms in force since May 2026. Areas for discussion include early experience of the new tenancy and possession framework, enforcement and redress, the future of housing standards and tenant security, implications for rental supply, affordability and investment, and the relationship with wider government priorities for housing supply, homelessness and rough sleeping.
Implementing the Renters’ Rights Act & next steps for reform
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to assess implementation priorities following the abolition of Section 21 and the introduction of assured periodic tenancies, as attention turns to the next phase of reform. Delegates will examine emerging evidence on the impact of reform on landlord and tenant behaviour, rents and availability, possession proceedings and local authority enforcement, alongside approaches to strengthening guidance, compliance and awareness of the new rights and responsibilities going forward.
Early experience - possession, enforcement & the rental market
The planned agenda will assess the early experience of landlords, letting agents, tenants, councils and courts in areas such as the operation of the revised possession grounds, approaches to rent increases and disputes, and court and tribunal capacity. Attendees will consider practical requirements for supporting small landlords and agents through the transition, the use of investigatory and enforcement powers to address non-compliance and poor housing conditions, and particular pressures in student and other specialist parts of the rental market.
The Government’s commitment to make it easier for councils to acquire poor-quality rented homes where landlords fail to act on warnings to improve them will be considered, with the legal route and timetable yet to be set out. Discussion is also expected on the outlook for landlord participation, investment decisions and the availability of homes to rent, following the increase in property income tax rates from April 2027 announced in the recent Budget.
Registration, redress, housing standards & supply
Further sessions will examine the next stages of reform, including rollout of the Private Rented Sector Database from December 2026, development of the PRS Landlord Ombudsman, future implementation of the Decent Homes Standard, and proposals for extending Awaab’s Law to the sector following government consultation, which closes in December 2026.
Delegates will assess the sector’s contribution to increasing housing supply and preventing homelessness, how tenant protections can sit alongside viable landlord participation and institutional investment, the interaction with forthcoming energy-efficiency requirements, and the extent to which improved data, registration, redress and enforcement can strengthen standards without adding unnecessary administrative burdens.
Overview of areas for discussion
- early implementation & market impact:
- early evidence since May 2026 - landlord participation, rents and availability - tenant experience and letting agent adaptation
- periodic tenancy requirements - rental bidding and rent-in-advance restrictions - discrimination protections
- possession, courts & dispute resolution:
- revised Section 8 grounds - evidence and notice requirements - rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, sale and landlord occupation
- court and tribunal capacity - phased rollout of the digital possession service - rent challenges and pressure on the First-tier Tribunal
- local enforcement, registration & redress:
- council enforcement duties and powers - civil penalties, prosecutions and expanded rent repayment orders - serious and repeat breaches
- proposed council acquisition of poor-quality rented homes where landlords fail to act - thresholds, safeguards, remedial works and tenants in situ
- enforcement capacity and resourcing - consistency and cross-boundary working between councils
- PRS Database - regional rollout from December 2026, beginning in the West Midlands - registration, data and the £65 annual property fee - public access and information-sharing with councils
- PRS Landlord Ombudsman - complaints and early resolution - membership expected in 2028 - interaction with the Database - limiting duplication and administrative burdens
- proposed regulation of letting and managing agents - licensing and qualification requirements
- housing quality, hazards & energy efficiency:
- preparing for the 2035 Decent Homes Standard - investment, inspection and enforcement
- extending Awaab’s Law - hazards in scope, response timescales and timing of implementation - relationship with the Ombudsman
- minimum energy-efficiency standards - higher energy performance standards by October 2030 - exemptions and improvement costs
- student & specialist rental markets:
- Ground 4A for student HMOs - advance notice and academic-cycle possession - tenancies signed no more than six months before the start date
- qualifying PBSA exemption - effects on HMO supply, rents and student choice
- student access and affordability - awareness of rights - pressures facing international and lower-income students
- market viability, tenant security & long-term outcomes:
- SME landlords, institutional investors and Build to Rent - compliance and financing - retention, acquisition and disposal - incentives for responsible provision and higher standards
- investment confidence, supply and regional markets - property income tax rises from April 2027 - transitional versus long-term effects - evaluation of quality, security, affordability and enforcement
- tenant security and displacement - advice and enforcement of rights - possession, affordability and council homelessness-prevention duties
