Preparing for Welfare Reform and Universal Credits

Changes to the benefit system are looming. These changes may not just affect landlords and tenants. They look set to change society as we know it. My comments may seem bold but based on the information that I have received from councils over the last couple of months, I feel that they are justified. Landlords and tenants who are not pro-active about planning for the changes may find the future to be quite overwhelming in a not so pleasant way. The Essex Property Network has been pro-active about trying to build positive relations between landlords and councils because we realise that they are going to have to work together to get through the tough times ahead. This is why we have also teamed up with Alan Elborough from Settled Housing Solutions. His engagement techniques and business models have broken down barriers between local authorities and the private rented sector which have resulted in improved joint working between all parties directly involved in private rented sector housing. A number of housing options Alan has successfully developed have been celebrated by both private sector regulatory bodies and Central Government agencies as ‘Best Practice’. He has combined his housing and homelessness career while also being a successful residential property investor. This has made him very well placed, therefore, to understand and respect the strategic objectives of a housing service and the commercial outcomes and business risk associated with the private rental sector. Members the Housing Options teams from Colchester and Braintree council will also be present. They have decided to take a more pro-active approach to forming good relations with private landlords because they are aware of the challenges ahead and the implications of Welfare Reform. The aim of this event is to: • give you a better understanding of all the changes that are coming • find out how we can prepare for the changes to come • foster better relations between councils and private landlords Places for this FREE event are limited but you can reserve your seat now at: http://www.essexpropertynetwork.co.uk/pre-event.php Event Location Holiday Inn, Brook Street, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5NF Free parking http://www.essexpropertynetwork.co.uk/pre-event.php