6 - 8 JULY 1998
"USING THE PRIVATED RENTED SECTOR......WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP"
- Introduction
- Timetable
- New Initiatives Workshops
- Research Workshops
- Good Practice Workshops
- Finance-Related Workshops
- Booking Information & Fees
| INTRODUCTION |
HPCS Consultants are pleased to invite you to this years major national conference on the use of private rented sector accommodation by Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords.
The conference will include the usual popular mix of main plenary sessions, workshops and seminars giving delegates the maximum opportunity to hear the views of leaders in the field share experiences and address issues they face in their day to day work.
Workshops will cover main themes such as new initiatives, finances, good practice as well as the findings of recent research projects.
Speakers include
David Cowans (North British HA)
Marianne Hood (Labour Housing Group)
Cllr Paul Jenks (Southampton City Council)
Jackie Beech (GLOFYSH)
Bob Lawrence (Empty Houses Agency)
Mike Stimpson (National Federation of Residential Landlords)
Who should attend?
Development and management staff in RSLs operating or looking to set up schemes in the PRS, Local Authority staff having to cope with an in balance between supply and demand in the available permanent housing stock, Empty Property Officers and anyone with an interest in maximising the use of existing resources.
For further details and to reserve a place contact Pushpa Singh by telephone: 0181 840 9217 or E-mail: pushpa.singh@efha.org.uk
| TIMETABLE |
| Day One | MONDAY 6TH JULY |
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| 11.00am | Arrival, Registration & Coffee |
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| 1.00pm | Lunch |
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| 2.15pm | Introduction & Welcome to the Conference - HPCS Consultants |
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| 2.30pm | Plenary Session One Using the PRS - Why are we doing it? chaired by Margaret Green - Notting Hill Housing Trust David Cowans- Group Chief Executive of North British HA Cllr Paul Jenks - Chair of Housing at Southampton City Council |
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| 4.00pm | Tea Break |
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| 4.30pm | Workshop Session 1 |
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| 6.00pm | Break - Free time |
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| 7.30pm | Dinner followed by Quiz Night and Charity Raffle |
| Day Two | TUESDAY 7TH JULY |
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| 8.00am | Breakfast |
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| 9.15am | Workshop Session II |
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| 10.45am | Coffee Break |
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| 11.15am | Workshop Session III |
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| 1.00pm | Lunch |
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| 2.00pm | Plenary Session Two Question Time - Should we be working in the PRS? chaired by Ashley Horsey - HPCS Consultants An opportunity for you to put your thoughts and questions to leading figures with different perspectives on working in the private rented sector. Marianne Hood - Chair of Labour Housing Group Bob Lawrence - Chief Executive, Empty Houses Agency Mike Stimpson - Vice Chair, National Federation of Residential Landlords Jackie Beech - Gloucestershire Forum for Young Single Homeless |
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| 3.30pm | Tea Break |
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| 4.00pm | Workshop Session IV |
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| 6.00pm | Break - Free time |
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| 7.30pm | Dinner and Dance with late bar |
| Day Three | WEDNESDAY 8TH JULY |
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| 8.00am | Breakfast |
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| 9.30am | Workshop Session V |
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| 11.00am | Coffee Break |
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| 11.30am | Plenary Session Three Is there a future in the PRS? chaired by Paul Spence - The Housing Corporation Anna Bowman- Chief Executive of West Hampstead HA Tony Trott - Consultant Closing Remarks - HPCS Consultants |
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| 1.00pm | Lunch |
| N1 | The Approved Letting Scheme | The objective of the Approved Letting Scheme (ALS) is to provide assurance to the private sector property owners that they can safely let their properties by using an agent or RSL who is part of ALS. The workshop will look at how the ALS works, who benefits and the roles played by the different organisations. |
| N2 | Empty Property Strategies | Local Authorities have been running successful Empty Property Strategies for a number of years. In the light of different housing policies, the reduction in ADP and an increasing focus on partnership, what can Local Authorities and their partners do to continue to impact upon private sector empties? |
| N3 | Market Renting - An Introduction | This workshop will look at the basic principles and practices of market rent schemes and examine the key issues in establishing a scheme. It is aimed at those practitioners who have little or no experience of this area. |
| N4 | Market Renting - Making it Work | This workshop will examine in detail the key elements of a market rent scheme and look at the strategic and operational decisions RSLs may have to take to ensure their scheme is a success. The workshop is intended as a follow-on from the introduction or for those who have more experience in this field. |
| N5 | Landlords Forum | Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea run private landlords forums as a means of consulting with private landlords. The workshop will learn how they are set up and look at the steps required to make consultation and participation successful. |
| RESEARCH WORKSHOPS |
| R1 | Financial Models and Investors | Paddington Churches HA have been carrying out research on increasing the numbers of investors funding private sector schemes. This workshop will look at this research and at the financial models developed for RSLs. |
| R2 | Publicity, Education & Marketing of Empty Homes | Sheffield Hallam University have been working on the development of publicity and marketing material in an interactive computer-based form. This workshop will examine the material developed and look at ways it could enhance the work of RSLs and LAs in utilising empty homes. |
| R3 | Letting Plus | Beaver Housing Society have been working in the London Borough of Lewisham researching alternatives to private letting agents for tenants seeking accommodation and for landlords with properties to let. This workshop will look at their work. |
| GOOD PRACTICE WORKSHOPS |
| GP1 | Assured Shorthold Tenant’s Charter | With the Housing Corporation’s revised Performance Standards and Resident’s Charters coming into effect this year, the workshop examines the Resident’s Charter and associated standards for Assured Shorthold Tenants. It will outline the good practice necessary in achieving the required standards. |
| GP2 | An Introduction to Management in the Private Rented Sector | If you are new to working with the PRS and asking yourself "what is it all about" then this is the workshop for you. It will provide you with a familiarity of the jargon used, an overview of the different types of established schemes that are undertaken, as well as outline recent developments and what is new in this area of work. |
| GP3 | Temporary Housing - Good Practice Guide | This workshop will discuss key areas of the recently published Good Practice Guide for the Management of Temporary Housing. This Guide has been written, with the support of both the CIOH and Housing Corporation, to draw together the findings of a recent survey of Notting Hill Housing Trust tenants in short stay housing and a wide range of research from both a Local Authority and Housing Association viewpoint. |
| GP4 | Property Inspection for Non-Technical Staff | Non-technical staff are frequently required to assess the suitability of properties for a scheme to consider repairs in the context of the agreement with owners and to carry out handback negotiations. All of which require detailed inspection of the property. This workshop focuses on the key elements of a good inspection. |
| GP5 | Property Management Standards - Health and Safety | Yearly gas checks for all rented properties are a legal requirement. This workshop will look at the key standards in ensuring properties are safe and RSLs/Local Authorities comply with the law. It will look at the legislation and good practice in carrying out safety checks and highlight the problems of shared responsibility. |
| GP6 | Handing Back Private Sector Property | This workshop will examine the issues in handing properties back to their owner. It will look at examples of simple and complex handbacks and outline good practice in achieving them harmoniously and within budget. |
| GP7 | Temporary Social Housing/Temporary Market Rent Housing | One year after its launch of TSH & TMRH, take up of the programme appears low and RSLs are continuing to find the procedure confusing. This workshop will focus on the principles and grant application procedures for TSH & TMRH. |
| GP8 | Legal Aspects of working in the Private Rented Sector - Tenants | This workshop will examine the legal aspects of housing and managing tenants in the PRS and will include Assured Shorthold tenancies and good practice in management. |
| GP9 | Legal Aspects of working in the Private Rented Sector - Landlords | Leases, Management Agreements and Statues define a RSL’s or Local Authorities’ relationship with the owner of a property they manage. This workshop will look at the forms and principles of agreements and at the good practice in seeking to maintain good principles. |
| GP10 | How to be a Successful Accessory after the Act - Housing Benefit Changes | The Social Security Bill 1998, which has received its second reading in the Lords, contains changes to the backdating of benefits (including Housing Benefit). This workshop focuses upon the impact of the changes and how they will affect good practice in assisting tenants with their claims for benefit. |
| GP11 | Rent Deposit Schemes | The Rent Deposit Forum will look at Rent Deposit Schemes across the country examining the ranges of schemes for varying circumstances. It will identify good practice in setting up and running schemes and outline pitfalls. |
| FINANCE-RELATED WORKSHOPS |
| F1 | Making a Loss? | This workshop will examine some of the options available to you if your private rented scheme appears to be making a loss. It will look at the steps you may need to secure financial viability for the scheme. |
| F2 | Risk Assessment | As RSLs develop less grant funded schemes, and Local Authorities review their private sector relationship, the ability to realistically assess risk becomes vital. This workshop will look at the risk assessment process and consider techniques and relevant topics. |
| F3 | Market Renting - Financial Models | This workshop will examine the different financial models appropriate for market rent schemes. It will look at the varying risks to funders and RSLs and outline partnership arrangement to fund and manage market rent schemes. |
For further information contact: Pushpa Singh on 0181 621 9837, e-mail her on pushpa.singh@efha.org.uk or click here to request further details. |
| BOOKING INFORMATION |
Enquiries:
Ealing Family HA/HPCS Consultancy, St James House
105-113 Broadway, West Ealing W13 9BE
Tel: 0181 621 9837 Fax: 0181 840 9217
E-Mail EFG.HPCS-INFO@efha.org.uk
Fee:
£255 + VAT Residential
£200 + VAT Non-Residential
£75 + VAT Day Delegate
The fee includes conference documentation, all refreshments, meals, entertainment and overnight accommodation (if applicable)
Method of Payment:
On receipt of the booking form (fax/post) a VAT invoice will be issued. Payment should be made prior to the Conference date.
Conference Venue:
University of Warwick Conference Park, Westwood Campus, Coventry CV4 7AL
Full details of the venue including maps, programme and joining instructions will be sent to delegates two weeks before the event. If you do not receive details by this time please contact Pushpa Singh on 0181-621 9837.
Substitute Delegates:
If you are unable to attend, a substitute may attend in your place. It would be helpful; if you would inform us of any changes as soon as possible so the replacement badges may be issued.
Cancellations:
Cancellations made by the 22nd June 1998 and confirmed in writing will be subject to a full refund. It is regretted that cancellations made after this date cannot be refunded. Delegates unable to attend will receive a copy of the conference documentation.
Documentation:
If you are unable to attend the Conference we are happy to offer the conference documentation for just £20. To order the documentation please telephone Pushpa Singh on 0181 621 9837. Documentation will be sent out after the event.
HPCS reserves the right to alter the programme without notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Ealing Family Housing Association
- Northern Counties Housing Association
- Oxford Citizens Housing Associations (Oxford Social Lettings Agency)
We can be contacted at:
St James’ House - 105-113 The Broadway - West Ealing - London - W13 9BE
Tel: 0181-621 9837 or E-Mail: derrick.williams@efha.org.uk
