Future of the Private Rented Sector Conference 2026
Previous Supporters include:
Overview
The private rented sector is undergoing a significant transformation. In 2025, rising rents and record demand have collided with legislative reform, reshaping the relationship between landlords, tenants and the state. With the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 now law and major provisions due to be implemented from 2026, local authorities, housing providers and advice services are preparing for a new regulatory and operational landscape.
At the same time, affordability pressures continue to intensify. Private rents now account for a historically high proportion of household income, while the gap between Local Housing Allowance rates and market rents has left many low-income renters exposed to arrears, eviction risk and homelessness. These pressures are driving increased demand on council homelessness services, tenancy sustainment teams and voluntary sector providers, making coordinated, practical responses more critical than ever.
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Keynote: The Private Rented Sector in Transition
- Examining how the role of the private rented sector has expanded within local housing systems, particularly as a destination for households who would previously have accessed social housing
- Analysing how sustained rent growth and supply constraints are reshaping homelessness demand and temporary accommodation pressures
- Exploring how national reform is intersecting with statutory housing duties and altering expectations around intervention and enforcement
- Setting out the strategic challenges emerging as private renting becomes more tightly regulated and less flexible
Caroline Crowther, Director of the Leasehold and Private Rented Sector, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (invited)
Keynote: Implementing the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
- Explaining the core legal changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act and how the abolition of section 21 and shift to open-ended tenancies will alter landlord and tenant behaviour
- Examining how new restrictions on rent increases and upfront payments are likely to affect affordability, access and tenancy
- Discussing how strengthened property standards and compliance duties will change the workload of enforcement and housing teams
- Clarifying what organisations should be doing now to prepare for implementation
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive, National Residential Landlords Association (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Eviction Reform, Tenancy Security and Homelessness Prevention
- Examining how the abolition of no-fault eviction is expected to change the timing and profile of homelessness presentations
- Discussing how revised possession grounds may shift disputes into different stages of the tenancy lifecycle
- Identifying where early intervention can realistically prevent tenancy breakdown under the new legal framework
- Developing approaches that embed eviction reform into prevention pathways rather than treating it as a legal change alone
Senior Representative, Crisis (invited)
Keynote: Rent Regulation, Affordability and Market Stability
- Examining evidence on rent growth and affordability to understand which households are now structurally priced out of private renting
- Discussing how limits on rent increases may influence landlord decision-making and local supply conditions
- Exploring policy mechanisms that could stabilise access to private renting without displacing pressure elsewhere in the housing system
- Assessing what current affordability trends mean for future homelessness demand and prevention planning
Aimee North, Head of Housing Market, Office for National Statistics (invited)
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break and Networking
Case Study: Enforcing Standards and Rights in the Reformed Private Rented Sector
- Developing enforcement approaches that prioritise the highest-risk properties and landlords
- Examining how new regulatory tools can be used to intervene and resolve issues earlier and reduce repeat non-compliance
- Discussing the capacity challenges facing enforcement teams and how these are being addressed in practice
- Demonstrating how consistent enforcement can improve housing conditions without increasing systemic difficulties
Helen Masterton, Head of Private Sector Housing Service, London Borough of Newham (invited)
Case Study: Housing Benefits and Affordability Gaps
- Examining how the widening gap between benefit support and market rents is driving tenancy instability
- Discussing how affordability pressures translate into arrears, evictions and repeat homelessness
- Outlining how prevention funding can be targeted more effectively to sustain private tenancies
- Developing approaches that align housing options work with income maximisation and landlord engagement
Mairi MacRae, Head of Policy, Shelter (invited)
Questions and Answers
Breakout Networking:
This breakout session offers a space to connect with peers working across the private rented sector and share experiences from policy and practice. It’s an opportunity to discuss common challenges, emerging priorities, and ideas for collaboration.
Comfort Break
Keynote: Regulation and Complaints in the New Private Rented Sector
- Outlining how the introduction of a single ombudsman changes expectations around accountability and dispute resolution
- Discussing how complaints processes are likely to evolve as tenants gain clearer routes to redress
- Examining how improved regulatory clarity can reduce escalation and repeated enforcement action
- Developing practical guidance for supporting tenants through the complaints process
Case Study: The Future of Private Renting
- Reflecting on early lessons from the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act
- Discussing how reform is reshaping the balance between security, affordability and supply
- Identifying where further policy intervention may be required to prevent further issues for tenants
- Outlining priorities for stabilising the private rented sector over the next five years
Sarah Finnegan, Head of Policy, National Housing Federation (invited)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Previous Speakers
Peter Kemp
Professor of Public Policy
University of Oxford
Chris Norris
Policy Director
NRLA
Judith Banjoko
Director of Services
Shelter
Linda Cobb OBE
DASH Services Manager
DASH/Derby City Council
Ruth Robertson
Acquisition Manager/PRS
Brighton & Hove council
Ben Twomey
Chief Executive
Generation Rent
Testimonials
“Excellent hosting and speakers. very informative.”
“Excellent speakers and professionally managed. Excellent information source.”
“Very informative event, and an array of guest speakers which helped understand how other councils and districts are managing PRS.”
“Online therefore easy to access with restrictions on travel and spending.”
“This was my first online event and I must say that I was very impressed by the knowledge of the speakers and the range of topics covered.”
Why You Should Attend?
- Gain key insights from experts from across policy, enforcement, and the private rental sector
- Hear the latest developments from across the regulatory landscape and insight on potential impacts on renters and the market
- Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues from across the Housing and Rental sector
- Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend?
| Job Title Example | Organisation Examples |
| Housing Enforcement Officers | Local Councils |
| Policy Leads | Central Government |
| Private Rental Professionals | Private Letting Agencies |
| Housing Developers | Property Development |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
