The founder of The Independent Landlord, Suzanne Smith will be the key speaker at a free conference discussing the major changes in the private rental sector. 

Safe Suffolk Renters is encouraging landlords in East or West Suffolk to register now ahead of its third annual conference in October. 

Much focus this year will be on the Renters Rights Bill and how it will affect the private rented sector. The Bill is expected to become receive Royal Assent and become law shortly before the conference. 

Titled “Moving forward with private renting – 2025 and beyond”, the conference will be held at the University & Professional Development Centre in Bury St. Edmunds on Tuesday October 21. 

Smith worked as a solicitor in life sciences for 25 years, before becoming a private landlord in 2019, and put her legal experience to use by setting up The Independent Landlord website and YouTube channel to provide free, reliable guidance to landlords.  

She says: “I will provide straightforward, practical advice to take the mystery away from the new rules, helping landlords cope with the changes ahead and continue to provide safe, compliant and well-managed homes to tenants in East and West Suffolk.” 

The conference will also offer sessions on subjects including mortgages, financing, tax advice, property maintenance and other changes to legislation including Energy Performance Certificate regulations. 

A spokesperson for the local council behind the conference, East Suffolk, says: “Landlords play an important role in East Suffolk’s private rented sector and local economy, so ensuring that they receive the correct level of support when navigating the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill is extremely important.  

“Private landlords are hugely important to how we house our communities in West Suffolk. That is why it is so crucial that we work together with landlords to best support them and their tenants through changes including Renter’s Rights.  

“This conference forms part of that alongside the wider work of Safe Suffolk Renters and of our West Suffolk Lettings Partnership.”