Programme 2005
• Speaker Biographies
• Speakers’ notes – to be published after conference
The theme this year is the Housing Act 2004, which comes in to force from October 2005.
The following lectures are confirmed
10.30 - 12.00 Landlord/Tenant Law
Deirdre Forster, Powell Forster Solicitors
Beveridge Hall
Deirdre will summarise the law as it affects both resident and non-resident landlords. Her seminar will include an overview the tenancy deposit scheme, which is being introduced by the Housing Act 2004. She will also draw attention to the controversial Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulations. Deirdre Forster biography.
10.30 – 11.30 Success renting / professional development
Maxine Fothergill, Vice Chair of the National Federation of Residential Landlords. Maxine Fothergill biography.
Court Room
11.00 - 12.30 The Housing Act - an overview
David Offord, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Chancellors Hall
Dave will offer an overview of the Housing Act 2004, how it will affect landlords, tenancies and the implementation of Parts of the Act. David Offord biography.
11.30 – 12.30 Risk and Reward - Investing in Property, the next ten years
Richard Bowser, Property Investor News
Court Room
Richard will give a comprehensive overview of the investment property markets both in the UK and Overseas. This detailed analytical presentation will focus on the need for prior risk assessment and management - in what are increasingly competitive and challenging markets for many property investor/landlords. In addition Richard will examine which property markets are likely to prosper from 2006 onwards and compare the potential total returns. Richard Bowser biography.
12.00 – 13.00 Tenancy Deposits - Resolving disputes
Marveen Smith, Painsmith Solicitors. Marveen Smith biography.
Beveridge Hall
12.30 – 13.30 The Housing Act - Dealing with difficult tenants
Nikki Pope, Residential Landlords Association. Nikki Pope biography.
Chancellors Hall
12.30 – 13.30 Property Standards, Landlords and gas safety
Robert Bolwell, Dutton Gregory Solicitors
Court Rm
13.00 - 14.30 Practical Management
Russell Conway, Oliver Fisher
Beveridge Hall
Russell’s 'Top Ten Tips' of how to create, maintain and manage safe and sustainable tenancies. His emphasis is on avoiding litigation, but he shows how good management practices are crucial to have any chance of success at court. Russell Conway biography.
13.30 - 15.00 The Housing Act - an overview (repeat)
David Offord, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Chancellors Hall
See 11am above
13.30 – 14.30 Understanding new landlord licensing laws, how to avoid a £20,000 fine!
David d’Orton-Gibson, Letting Network
Court Room
One of the big issues is that many landlords must understand the new definition of an HMO. Many might ignore the seminar because they don't have a house full of bedsits. In fact any property with three unrelated sharers in it will become an HMO and many non HMOs (e.g. 5 students sharing a flat over shop) might not realise they will have to licence. David d’Orton-Gibson biography.
15.00 - 16.00 Conference Plenary and Q&A
Chaired by Martin Blakey, Unipol. Martin Blakey biography.
Beveridge Hall