OnDemand: Future of the Private Rented Sector Conference 2026
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*Presentation decks for speakers who have given permission for their materials to be shared
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2026 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.
2026 Agenda
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Dr Jill Stewart, Associate Professor in Public Health, University of Greenwich
Keynote: The Private Rented Sector in Transition
- Examining what the latest national research reveals about the major trends shaping the private rented sector and the implications for policymakers and practitioners
- Analysing how affordability pressures and supply constraints are affecting housing access and tenancy sustainment, particularly for low-income households
- Addressing the key implementation challenges for the Renters’ Rights Act, including tenant awareness, landlord compliance and local authority enforcement capacity
- Identifying where policy, practice and targeted intervention can have the greatest impact
Dr Jennifer Harris, Head of Policy, Research and Social Impact, TDS Charitable Foundation
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
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
Andrew Beeput, Chief Executive Officer, The Bond Board
Case Study:
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Why domestic abuse is a housing issue
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The impact of domestic abuse on your property and rental income
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Solutions for protecting your investment and retaining good tenants
Nicki Clarke, Head of Housing, Standing Together
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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
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
Shezad Khan, Private Rented Sector Solutions & Tenancy Sustainment Senior Manager, London Borough of Newham
Questions and Answers
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
- Developing practical guidance for supporting tenants through the complaints process
Karen McGreal, Head of Private Rented Sector, Housing Ombudsman Service
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
Nye Jones, Head of Campaigns, Generation Rent
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Dr Jill Stewart, Associate Professor in Public Health, University of Greenwich
Conference Close
Pricing Options
OnDemand
Full access to the OnDemand conference – get instant access after purchase to expert insights and curated content, including recordings of the sessions and downloadable presentation decks for speakers who have given permission for their materials to be shared.
2026 Speakers
Dr Jill Stewart
Associate Professor in Public Health
University of Greenwich
Dr Jennifer Harris
Head of Policy, Research and Social Impact
TDS Charitable Foundation
Ben Beadle
Chief Executive
National Residential Landlords Association
Andrew Beeput
Chief Executive Officer
The Bond Board
Helen Masterton
Head of Private Sector Housing Service
London Borough of Newham
Shezad Khan
Private Rented Sector Solutions & Tenancy Sustainment Senior Manager
London Borough of Newham
Karen McGreal
Head of Private Rented Sector
Housing Ombudsman Service
Nye Jones
Head of Campaigns
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.”
