Westmorland and Furness Council is holding a forum to support private landlords and managing agents across the area.
The event will help landlords and managing agents stay up to date with changes in housing law and provide guidance on maintaining good-quality homes. It’s an opportunity to hear directly from experts, ask questions and get advice from a variety of council teams.
Taking place in Kendal Town Hall on Thursday 17th September 5.30-7.30pm, it is aimed at all landlords and managing agents providing family homes, student housing and licensed HMOs within Westmorland and Furness, no matter the size of their portfolio.
The programme includes talks on:
• The Renters Right Act – Steven Bletsoe, National Residential Landlords Association
• Housing Health and Safety rating system revisions, implementation, guidance and civil penalties – Housing team, Westmorland and Furness Council
• The positive impact and related accommodation requirements of the University of Cumbria for Barrow-in-Furness and Ambleside, with particular focus on the new Barrow Campus – Emma Bales, University of Cumbria
• Supporting your tenants when they find the cost of living difficult: how can landlords help and how can you best signpost your tenants – Kellie Bradburn-Sims and Louise Foster, W&F Community Development teams
• Fire risk assessments and requirements for Landlords – Lucy Johnson, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service
In addition, there will be further information available from Council teams including Benefits, Disabled Facilities Grants, Warm Homes Scheme, Housing Standards and Homelessness along with external partners who will be on hand to provide advice.
Attendees are encouraged to send in questions in advance of the event to ensure the topics matter the most to them are addressed. Please contact us at "Housing Standards": housingstandards@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
There will also be networking opportunities and refreshments available.
Please note tickets are restricted to the first 80 applicants therefore advance booking is essential via this link.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said:
“We are committed to working with landlords and managing agents to ensure private rented accommodation across Westmorland and Furness is the highest standard it can be, so people living in these properties can live in safe and well-managed homes.
“Even in the last year the legal landscape for private landlords has changed and attending this Forum is the best way to stay informed of what is required in 2026 whilst protecting the investment that landlords have made in their properties.”