Agenda & Speaker Info
The Agenda
09:00 – 09:55 Registration and networking
Enjoy a coffee as you meet our exhibitors and fellow housing professionals.
09:55 – 10:00 Welcome
Linda Cobb OBE, Principal Manager, DASH Services
10:00 – 10:55 The Changing PRS - New Obligations and where we are headed
David Smith, Partner, Spector, Constant & Williams
A review of the Renters’ Rights Bill and other forthcoming changes in property law in terms of the overall aims of government.
10:55 – 11.10 Helping landlords to prepare for the new Renters’ Rights legislation
Tom Fellows, Head of PRS redress and non-traditional tenures (NTTs, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government - Leasehold, Private renting & Digital
Tom is responsible for the new PRS Landlord Ombudsman; a key measure in the new Renters’ Rights legislation. As a member of the wider Renters’ Rights team at MHCLG, Tom is delighted to present and answer questions on the upcoming changes, and what landlords can do to best prepare.
11:10 – 11:55 Break and networking
An opportunity to meet our exhibitors and fellow housing professionals.
11:55 – 12:10 Practical solutions for dealing with damp and mould in properties
Andrew Fitzpatrick, Director, ArcAirTech
With Awaab’s Law now in effect and being incorporated into the Decent Homes Standard of the Renters’ Rights Act, the demand for effective mould remediation solutions is rising – and ArcAirTech is leading the way in innovation and impact.
12:10 – 12:20 Tackling ASB and preparing landlords for the future
Janine Green, Partner, Green & Burton ASB Associates
ASB occuring within and around our properties can cause huge challenges for private landlords, and the provisions in the Renters Rights Bill will likely mean that these take longer to resolve. Drawing on her experiences as an ASB consultant and Housing Member for the First Tier Property Tribunal (Scotland), Janine will share insight into steps that can be taken to prevent ASB occuring in the first place, actions that landlords can take where it does occur, and guidance for preparing for future and ensuring that where legal action is required, the likelihood of successful outcome is as high as possible.
12:20 – 12:30 Making tax digital
Kimberley Shapcott, Owner, Shapcotts Accountants
Kimberley will guide landlords through the transition to Making Tax Digital, explaining new HMRC requirements, digital record-keeping and compatible software. Learn how to streamline tax submissions, avoid penalties and stay compliant with practical tips and examples.
12:30 – 12:40 MEES and what you can do right now
Peter Herbertson, Advantage Energy Assessors
12:40 – 13:10 Panel discussion and Q&A
Host: Linda Cobb OBE
David Smith, Partner, Spector, Constant & Williams
Alana Davies, Regional Engagement Executive, NRLA
13:10 – 13:15 Close of morning session
Linda Cobb OBE, Principal Manager, DASH Services
13:15 – 14:15 Lunch and networking
An opportunity to meet our exhibitors and fellow housing professionals.
14:15 – 15:00 Workshops
Workshop 1 - Common Hazards to Avoid: Protecting Properties and Reducing Costs
Join this interactive workshop and spot hazards like damp, mould, leaks and disrepair. Explore the real costs of neglect and ask experts your questions. Learn how simple fixes today prevent costly problems tomorrow.
Host: Linda Cobb OBE
Darren Gelsthorpe, Derby City Council
Christopher Thomas, Director, ArcAirTech
Kimberley Shapcott, Owner, Shapcotts Accountants
Workshop 2 – Helping Student Landlords Navigate the Renters’ Rights Act
Big changes are coming. Learn how the Renters’ Rights Act affects student lettings - fixed-term tenancies, notice periods, rent increases and compliance risks. Get prepared, avoid costly mistakes and get answers to your questions from our experts.
Host: Teresa Kaczmarek, DASH Services
Fiona England, DASH Services
Nicola Brown, Hub Services Director, Unipol Housing
Irving Hill, CEO, Sulets
Fiona England, DASH Services
Workshop 3 - Licensing Demystified: Key Steps to Compliance
Cut through the common misconceptions about property licensing. Learn the top ten requirements for compliance, understand your legal responsibilities and gain the knowledge needed to protect your licence and avoid enforcement action.
Host - Don Robbie, DASH Services
Nottingham City Council
Sarah Swingler, DASH Services
Workshop 4 - Renters’ Rights Act Q&A with David Smith
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to put your questions direct to our legal expert. Learn what the changes will mean, bring your questions, gain expert insights and leave better prepared to protect your properties, tenants and business in a shifting legal landscape.
15:00 – 15:15 Break
Coffee break before final workshops commence
15:15 – 16:00 Workshops
Workshop 1 - Common Hazards to Avoid: Protecting Properties and Reducing Costs
Join this interactive workshop and spot hazards like damp, mould, leaks and disrepair. Explore the real costs of neglect and ask experts your questions. Learn how simple fixes today prevent costly problems tomorrow.
Host: Linda Cobb OBE
Darren Gelsthorpe, Derby City Council
Christopher Thomas, Director, ArcAirTech
Kimberley Shapcott, Owner, Shapcotts Accountants
Workshop 2 – Helping Student Landlords Navigate the Renters’ Rights Act
Big changes are coming. Learn how the Renters’ Rights Act affects student lettings - fixed-term tenancies, notice periods, rent increases and compliance risks. Get prepared, avoid costly mistakes and get answers to your questions from our experts.
Host: Teresa Kaczmarek, DASH Services
Fiona England, DASH Services
Nicola Brown, Hub Services Director, Unipol Housing
Irving Hill, CEO, Sulets
Fiona England, DASH Services
Workshop 3 - Licensing Demystified: Key Steps to Compliance
Cut through the common misconceptions about property licensing. Learn the top ten requirements for compliance, understand your legal responsibilities and gain the knowledge needed to protect your licence and avoid enforcement action.
Host - Don Robbie, DASH Services
Nottingham City Council
Sarah Swingler, DASH Services
16:00 – 16:30 Networking
Final opportunity to meet our exhibitors and fellow housing professionals.
16:30 Close
SPEAKERS:
David Smith
Partner
Spector Constant & Williams
Title: The Changing PRS - New Obligations and where we are headed
A review of the Renters’ Rights Bill and other forthcoming changes in property law in terms of the overall aims of government.
Bio: David Smith
David is a solicitor and partner with Spector, Constant and Williams in London.
He works on a wider range of property litigation but is especially well known for his work on private residential tenancies and new legislation.
He has advised landlords and agents of all sizes as well as local and devolved governments on housing and property law.
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Andrew Fitzpatrick
Director
ArcAirTech
From Customer to Director
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My journey with ArcAirTech started as a customer. I purchased units for two of my pharmacies, wanting to protect both my staff and customers from communicable viruses. Our stores were in old Victorian buildings, which sometimes struggled with mould and a persistent damp smell.
Seeing how effectively ArcAirTech’s technology tackled these issues was a real eye-opener. I could immediately see the potential it had, not just for businesses, but for improving the health and wellbeing of individuals in their homes. That experience inspired me to join the team, and since then, I haven’t looked back.
Hearing the stories of families whose homes have been transformed by our units makes everything worthwhile. Dispensing medication can save lives, but so can a Fixed or Portable Arc, by removing contaminants like mould spores and giving people a truly safe and healthy environment.
Bio: Christopher Thomas
Director
ArcAirTech
Director at ArcAirTech. At ArcAirTech, we provide fast-acting air systems designed to eliminate up to 99.9% of surface and airborne mould spores. By utilising our patented nature based technology, we keep both tenants and properties safe.
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Tom Fellows
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Head of PRS redress and non-traditional tenures (NTTs) Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government Leasehold, Private renting & Digital
Bio: Tom Fellows is head of the team responsible for private rented sector redress and non-traditional tenures at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). He is responsible for the new PRS Landlord Ombudsman; a key measure in the new Renters’ Rights legislation. As a member of the wider Renters’ Rights team at MHCLG, Tom is delighted to present and answer questions on the upcoming changes, and what landlords can do to best prepare.
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Janine Green
Partner
Green & Burton ASB Associates
Title: Tackling ASB and preparing landlords for the future
ASB occuring within and around our properties can cause huge challenges for private landlords, and the provisions in the Renters Rights Bill will likely mean that these take longer to resolve. Drawing on her experiences as an ASB consultant and Housing Member for the First Tier Property Tribunal (Scotland), Janine will share insight into steps that can be taken to prevent ASB occuring in the first place, actions that landlords can take where it does occur, and guidance for preparing for future and ensuring that where legal action is required, the likelihood of successful outcome is as high as possible.
Bio: Janine Green
Janine Green is Partner at Green & Burton ASB Associates, an organisation which provides ASB consultancy and training services to the social and private housing sector, police, and local authorities. Janine is considered a leading authority on preventing and tackling ASB, speaking at numerous national events, being part of national policy groups (including the MHCLG ASB working group, established to support the implementation of the ASB ground within the Renters Rights Bill and being the author of the 2020 textbook: “Effective ASB Case Management Principles”. Janine is also a Housing Member for the 1st Tier Property Tribunal (Scotland). Created in 2017 when the Private Housing (Tenancies)(Scotland) Act 2016 become law and created tenancies with a higher security of tenure, Janine hears cases relating to private rented tenancies, including possession on the grounds of ASB.
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WORKSHOPS:
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Irving Hill
CEO
Sulets
Bio: Irving Hill
Irving is the founder and CEO of Sulets, a specialist, not for profit, student lettings agency based in Leicester.
He has over 30 years experience in the HE and FE sector with the last 16 years in student accommodation letting and managing PBSA and HMO accommodation.
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Linda Cobb OBE
DASH Services
Bio: Linda Cobb
Linda’s work is rooted in the Housing Act 2004 but continues to evolve as we all prepare for the Renters Reform Bill and Supported Housing Act being introduced.
In addition to managing DASH Services for over 15 years, Linda also works closely with the fantastic team who operate the National Code for Larger Student Developers where she is on the Committee of Management offering advice & guidance via the committee of management and consortium as the ANUK (Accreditation Network UK) member.
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