New speakers announced for Future Renting North conference

28 Mar 2018 11:15 AM

The Department for Work and Pensions and  The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) are the latest speakers to be announced to address our Future Renting North conference in Manchester next month.

Last month, the RLA supported the JCWI in calling for a judicial review into Right to Rent, on the basis that the policy discriminates against foreign nationals.

Right to Rent was introduced in January 2016. It means that landlords are responsible for checking the immigration status of their tenants with the prospect of prosecution if they know, or have “reasonable cause to believe”, that the property they are letting is occupied by someone who does not have the right to rent in the UK.

The RLA has long campaigned against the scheme.

The talk by the JCWI at Future Renting North will include the reasons behind the legal challenge, as well as advice to landlords and letting agents on how to avoid discrimination when letting out properties.

DWP fringe session

Also confirmed to host a fringe session at our conference is the DWP. As Universal Credit full service continues to be rolled out across the country, representatives from the Government department will host a session aimed at answering any questions landlords have about the roll out.

Universal Credit is an area in which the RLA has campaigned extensively for in the last few years. Earlier this year, the RLA secured a win with regards to Universal Credit.

The changes means that if a tenant is in arrears, a landlord is able to apply for a direct payment of the rent to them, instead of the tenant.

The DWP workshop will be focused on Universal Credit, and will provide landlords with an overview of the benefit. They will also provide an update on recent changes, and will answer questions from landlords.

Book your ticket to Future Renting North here.

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