The minister for rough sleeping and housing, Eddie Hughes, will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural National Landlord Conference later this year.

Hosted by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) in partnership with Landlord Law, the conference will focus on the future of the private rented sector. The event will be chaired by Paul Lewis, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s ‘Money Box’.

During the keynote section of the conference, the minister is expected to outline the government’s plans for the sector following the announcement of a Renters’ Reform Bill in last week’s Queen’s Speech.

The conference will also provide guidance on how landlords can best respond to a renewed government push to improve the energy efficiency of rented housing. Among the speakers addressing this topic will be Derek Horrocks, chair of the National Insulation Association.

Other speakers include Justin Bates, a barrister specialising in housing law at Landmark Chambers, who will speak on what planned legislative changes in the sector mean for landlords.

The conference will take place on Tuesday 15^th November at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, commented: “We are pleased that the minister has agreed to speak at our first national conference and would encourage landlords and letting agents to use this opportunity to question him on the government’s plans for the sector. It’s important that he is able to hear from first-hand experience about what is happening on the ground to ensure planned changes really do work for landlords as well as tenants.”

Tessa Shepperson, solicitor and MD of Landlord Law Services, said: “We are delighted to be working with the NRLA on this new conference for landlords with keynote speaker Eddie Hughes MP.  It is so important that housing ministers are able to hear directly from landlords and get feedback on their plans for the sector.  The other speakers are equally distinguished, and I am particularly pleased that we will be providing some much-needed help for landlords on energy efficiency.”