Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is to make a keynote speech at the NRLA’s annual conference in Birmingham next week.

The mayor, who this year revealed he was spending £600,000 on a rogue landlord crackdown within the city, will be speaking on 6th November at the event, which is being held at Birmingham’s NEC conference centre.

Burnham has been vocal in his calls for bad operators within the private rented sector to be regulated out via better enforcement, and his crackdown includes a new system of property checking which enables tenants whose landlords won’t work with the city’s council voluntarily, to request a property check, followed up with enforcement action.

The mayor is scheduled to talk about his work on the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter and how it’s an example of how the public sector can work with industry to improve standards and outcomes.

Housing crisis

He'll also be outlining how mayors like him can play role in fixing the housing crisis and, landlords may be happy to hear, how they have a role too.

“We know that new homes on their own won’t solve the housing crisis and the private rented sector is a key partner in helping us meet housing need across the region,” says Burnham.

"For the thousands in private rented accommodation, having a good landlord can make the world of difference to their lives.

“That's why we have launched our Good Landlord Charter, that will give confidence to renters and recognise good landlords. And it’s why we’re investing to grow the local teams who are working to root out those who give the sector a bad name.”

The NRLA conference will bring together landlords, property professionals, and policymakers to discuss the future of the private rented sector at a time when major changes loom, largely in the form of Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill, which will go much further than the Tory’s previous effort.

Line-up

“We are delighted to welcome Andy Burnham to the stellar line-up at the latest of our award-winning conferences, following Michael Gove’s appearance last year,” says Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA (pictured).

“As we know housing, particularly the private rented sector, is one of his key priorities, and we are interested to get his take on the legislation change up ahead as well as potential local funding streams for landlords in combined authority areas.

“I’m sure our delegates will also welcome the chance to get down to brass tacks and ask questions on the day.”

Find out more about the conference.