Housing, Communities and Local Government Network

Join our new Housing, Communities and Local Government Network— a space created by and for local authorities to share intelligence, tackle common challenges, and shape our collective response to major shifts in housing policy and delivery. 

This network will focus on the big issues affecting local authority housing teams, blending policy insight with practical peer learning. Each theme will be explored through a task‑and‑finish group approach — bringing the right people together for a focused period of work to share learning, examine evidence, and develop practical outputs that can support local delivery. 

Our first theme: Renters’ Rights and the evolving PRS 

With the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 now moving at pace, our first task‑and‑finish group will concentrate on what the reforms mean for local authorities and for the wider private rented sector. 

Sessions will be built around: 

• Enforcement – how local councils are resourcing and delivering new enforcement measures and investigatory powers across housing standards and the new tenancy regime, including: 

• Current good practice in raising and enforcing PRS standards; selective licencing, landlord charters and engagement, and the role of devolved government and community-based organisations like ethical lettings agencies.  

• Preparation – for future phases of the Act, including the introduction of a Landlords Database, PRS Landlord Ombudsman, and Government consultations. 

• Market-based challenges including short-term / holiday lets and the ongoing case for reform of Local Housing Allowance. 

This focused, time‑bound structure means each theme will deliver tangible outcomes — shared insight, practical tools, or clear asks — before we move on to the next priority area. 

Who can join 

This network is exclusively for local authority officers: as our first theme is Renters’ Rights & the evolving PRS, the first round of meetings will be suitable for those working across housing, enforcement, licensing, policy, or related services. You may want to attend this yourself, or delegate to a suitable member of your team.  

What to expect 

• A task‑and‑finish group for each theme, with clear objectives and timeframes 

• Sessions aligned with national policy milestones 

• Peer‑to‑peer learning and local case studies 

• Early insight into emerging reforms 

• Space to raise new or unexpected challenges 

• Opportunities to shape collective engagement with government 

We would be delighted to have you involved. 

The first session takes place online, after which we will alternate between online and in-person sessions. In-person sessions will include a member-hosted site visit along with the network meeting.