Private landlords and managing agents from across Westmorland and Furness are being invited to a free housing forum at Kendal Town Hall, where experts and council teams will explain changes in housing law, property safety requirements and support available to tenants.
The event will take place on Thursday 17 September 2026 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. It is open to landlords and managing agents providing family homes, student housing and licensed houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) anywhere in Westmorland and Furness, regardless of the size of their portfolio.
What the Kendal forum will cover
Westmorland and Furness Council says the forum is intended to help those managing private rented homes stay up to date with legal changes and maintain good-quality accommodation. Attendees will be able to hear from specialists, ask questions and seek advice from several council teams.
The programme includes a presentation on the Renters Right Act from Steven Bletsoe of the National Residential Landlords Association. The council’s Housing team will discuss revisions to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, including implementation, guidance and civil penalties.
Emma Bales from the University of Cumbria will speak about the positive impact of the university and related accommodation requirements in Barrow-in-Furness and Ambleside, with a particular focus on the new Barrow Campus.
Advice on supporting tenants facing cost-of-living pressures will be provided by Kellie Bradburn-Sims and Louise Foster from the council’s Community Development teams. The programme will also include a session from Lucy Johnson of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service on fire risk assessments and landlords’ requirements.
Advice, questions and booking information
Further information will be available from council teams working in Benefits, Disabled Facilities Grants, the Warm Homes Scheme, Housing Standards and Homelessness. External partners will also be available to offer advice.
Landlords and agents are encouraged to submit questions before the forum so the organisers can focus on issues that matter most to attendees. Questions can be sent to Housing Standards at [email protected].
The event will include networking opportunities and refreshments. Places are restricted to the first 80 applicants, so advance booking is essential through the booking link provided by Westmorland and Furness Council.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said the authority wants to work with landlords and managing agents so private rented accommodation is safe and well managed. She added that the legal landscape had changed during the previous year and said the forum was the best way to understand what would be required in 2026 while protecting landlords’ property investments.