It promises to be a busy 2025 for the Rent Income Excellence Network, with a wealth of new briefings, blogs, podcasts, best practice groups and events to help you navigate the changes in welfare policy, as well as the challenges in tenancy sustainment and rent income collection.

Below is a rundown of the network’s key resources and events for the first few months of the year. As always, any feedback and ideas are very much appreciated. Please email [email protected] with your suggestions.

January to March:

  • A podcast with Laura Kilby, Professor of Discursive Psychology, University of the West of Scotland on her research on the key ingredients of a successful call on income and debt management.
  • A podcast with Mark Manns, Head of Housing and Kyle Lane, Neighbourhood Services Manager, One Vision Housing
  • A briefing on disability benefits and sanctions from Sue Beasor, HQN Associate
  • An update on the implications of the spring budget on welfare benefits on 26 March.

April to June:

  • Our monthly welfare reform updates from Sue Beasor, HQN Associate
  • A briefing on child poverty briefing from Sue Beasor, HQN Associate
  • 15 April – a partner session with PayPoint on implementing a new payments provider and what benefits can be achieved when you do
  • A podcast with Paul Hickman, Professor of Housing and Social Policy, Sheffield Hallam University on his research work ‘Holding onto Home’
  • 16 April – a free partner legal surgery with Birketts on tenant and landlord issues including the Renters’ Rights Bill
  • A briefing on carer’s allowance from Sue Beasor, HQN Associate
  • A briefing on any welfare reform or rent changes in the multi-year spending review expected in spring
  • We will be looking at disability benefits and sanctions for our best practice group in May
  • 15 May – a masterclass with Damian Roche, Director, HQN on the tenancy standard
  • 12 June – the Rent Compliance Hub Forum with Emma Turay, Assistant Director of Regulation and Policy at Notting Hill Genesis.

July to September:  

  • We will be having our in-person annual conference on 2 October. If there is anything in particular that you would like to see, please get in touch
  • A best practice group with the DWP for an update on their work on UC and any news on the planned reforms of welfare benefits in August
  • Monthly welfare reform update from Sue Beasor, HQN Associate.

October to December:

  • 12 November – the Rent Compliance Hub Annual Conference

We will also be commissioning content and hosting events on:

  • Managed migration
  • The Renters’ Rights Bill
  • The autumn statement

We will continue to update our plans, reacting to emerging issues and new government policies throughout the year, so keep an eye on the newsletters and the website.