East Suffolk Council
Conference supports landlords to prepare for Renters’ Rights Bill
The founder of The Independent Landlord, Suzanne Smith will be the key speaker at a free conference to support landlords, letting agents and property agents, as major changes take place.
Safe Suffolk Renters is encouraging people who rent out residential properties in East or West Suffolk to register now ahead of its third annual conference in October.
Much focus this year will be on the new Renters’ Rights Bill and how it will affect the private rented sector. The bill is expected to become receive Royal Assent and become law shortly before the conference.
Titled “Moving forward with private renting – 2025 and beyond”, the conference will be held at the University & Professional Development Centre in Bury St. Edmunds on Tuesday 21October from 8.30am until 4pm. The event is sponsored by insulation specialists, WarmPro.
The keynote speaker, Suzanne Smith, is founder of The Independent Landlord website and YouTube channel. She worked as a solicitor in life sciences for 25 years, before becoming a private landlord in 2019, and put her legal experience to use by setting up The Independent Landlord to provide free, reliable guidance to landlords.
She said:
“I’m delighted to be giving the keynote speech at this year’s Safe Suffolk Renters Conference. This event is happening at an important time, with the Renters’ Rights Bill expected to receive Royal Assent in the autumn, it’s never been more important for landlords to come together, stay informed and understand how best to navigate this new legislation.
“I will provide straightforward, practical advice to take the mystery away from the new rules, helping landlords cope with the changes ahead and continue to provide safe, compliant and well-managed homes to tenants in East and West Suffolk.”
The conference will also offer sessions on subjects including mortgages, financing, tax advice, property maintenance and other changes to legislation including Energy Performance Certificate regulations.
Exhibitors including member associations, financial advisers, insulation specialists and grants advisers will also be on hand to provide to support.
Cllr David Beavan, cabinet member with responsibility for Housing, said:
"We welcome the return of this event for a third year and encourage all private landlords to attend, whether they manage a large portfolio or just one property.
Landlords play an important role in East Suffolk’s private rented sector and local economy, so ensuring that they receive the correct level of support when navigating the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill is extremely important.”
Cllr Richard O’Driscoll, Cabinet Member for Housing at West Suffolk Council said:
“Private landlords are hugely important to how we house our communities in West Suffolk. That is why it is so crucial that we work together with landlords to best support them and their tenants through changes including Renter’s Rights.
“This conference forms part of that alongside the wider work of Safe Suffolk Renters and of our West Suffolk Lettings Partnership.”
The Safe Suffolk Renters project is an initiative funded by East and West Suffolk Councils to not only pass on useful and timely advice to landlords, but also to engage and listen to the concerns of those in the private rented sector. The aim is for councils to have a better understanding of the pressures and problems in the sector, while aiding improvements in standards.