Housing Act and universities

Sorry - this event is now FULLY BOOKED.

London, 28th April

A Briefing on the Implications of the Housing Act 2004: Licensing, Standards and the Approved Codes of Practice for Educational Establishments

for Higher Education Establishments and Private Sector Suppliers with Links to those Establishments.

This briefing day is NOT organised by NUS.

Friday 28th April 2006 - Room LG1, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR (to be confirmed)

This one day briefing is suitable for those involved in the management, running and development of student accommodation, those advising students and students' union staff and elected officers with an interest in housing issues.

This event is being held jointly between:

• the Accreditation Network UK (ANUK)
• the National Union of Students (NUS)
• the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)
• the Standing Conference of Principals (SCOP)
• UniversitiesUK (UK)
• Unipol Student Homes

Speakers from ODPM, UUK, NUS, ANUK and Unipol are from the core team implementing the provisions of the Act in this specialist area.

Synopsis

The Housing Act 2004, which comes into operation in April 2006, will have an impact on all accommodation suppliers and tenants. New standards will come into play along with a risk based housing, health and safety rating system.

These changes will mean that educational establishments will have to make changes to accommodate the new obligations under the Act.

In addition to this, some up to date information will be available about the forthcoming deposit Protection Scheme that will effect all those letting on Assured Shorthold Tenancies.

The day is being sponsored by ODPM and a notional charge of £30.00 is being made to cover administration and papers only. Hopefully, this low charge will enable a wide range of operational and policy staff to attend.

9.45am - 10.00am
Arrivals and Registration

10.00am - 10.10am
Welcome, Introductions and Purpose of the Day, Martin Blakey, Chief Executive, Unipol Student Homes

10.10am - 10.40am
An Overview of the Housing Act 2004, John Daniels, Head of Housing, Private Rented Sector, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

11.40am - 11.10am
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System: A Risk Based System Applying to All Tenures, David Scott, Head of Housing Safety, Health & Energy Branch, Decent Homes Division Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

11.10am - 11.20am
Illustrative Case Studies of Relevance to HEIs, Martin Blakey, Chief Executive, Unipol Student Homes

11.20am - 11.30am
Questions and Discussion

11.30am - 11.45am
Break

11.45am - 12.05pm
Licensing: its Purpose, Scope and Requirements. David Offord, Head of Implementation Outreach for Licensing, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

12.05pm - 12.15pm
Questions and Discussion

12.15pm - 12.40pm
Government Approved Codes of Practice under the Housing Act: Exemptions from Licensing and Accreditation. John Daniels, Head of Housing, Private Rented Sector, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

12.40pm - 1.00pm
General discussion

1.00pm - 1.50pm
Lunch (provided)

1.50pm - 2.30pm
The Approved Codes of Practice for Buildings Controlled and Managed by Educational Establishments
Tim Cobbett, Policy Advisor, UniversitiesUK, Simon Kemp, National Code Administrator, ANUK and Martin Blakey, Chief Executive, Unipol Student Homes

2.30pm - 3.20pm
The Approved Codes of Practice for Buildings not Controlled and Managed by Educational Establishments
Tim Cobbett, Policy Advisor, UniversitiesUK, Simon Kemp, National Code Administrator, ANUK and Martin Blakey, Chief Executive, Unipol Student Homes

3.20pm - 3.50pm
The Impact of the Housing Act and Approved Codes of Practice on Students (followed by questions), Agnes Gautier, Research and Policy Officer and Veronica King, Vice President (Welfare), National Union of Students

3.50pm - 4.10pm
The Forthcoming Deposit Protection Scheme and Alternative Disputes Procedure, Phil Alker (tbc)

4.10pm - 4.30pm
General discussion and concluding remarks

Please register your interest with agnes.guatier@nus.org.uk

Sorry - this event is now FULLY BOOKED.