Landmark PRS reforms and enforcement shake‑up in focus at CIEH Housing and Health Conference 2026

Key government updates on the future of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) will take centre stage at a major conference for environmental health professionals next week.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Housing and Health Conference 2026 will bring together leading experts from across the sector for two days of insight, discussion and practical learning.

The event will feature a packed programme of keynote sessions, panel discussions and real-world case studies addressing the most pressing challenges facing housing professionals today.

Proceedings will open with a keynote from Robyn Casey, Head of PRS Standards at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Robyn will outline the latest policy developments shaping the sector, including updates on the Renters’ Rights Act, the Decent Homes Standard, Awaab’s Law, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), and burdens funding.

Day one will also include a panel discussion exploring the evolving landscape of formal enforcement in light of the Renters’ Rights Act.

The session will feature Henry Dawson, CIEH Housing Panel member and Programme Director for Environmental Health at Cardiff Metropolitan University, alongside local authority and legal experts, offering a range of perspectives on how enforcement is expected to develop.

Further sessions will cover national landlord registration in Wales, findings from the University of York’s Enforcement Against Criminal Landlords report, and a detailed update on HHSRS.

The second day will open with a keynote focusing on PAS 9980:2022 – the code of practice for conducting Fire Risk Appraisals of External Wall construction (FRAEW) in multi-occupied residential buildings. Jeremy Thwaites, Associate Director at OFR Consultants, will explain the guidance and its practical implications for enforcement professionals.

A panel session on fuel poverty will follow, examining the links between housing, public health and partnership working.

Chaired by Joanna Seymour, CIEH Head of Environmental Health Workforce Programme, the discussion will include contributions from National Energy Action (NEA) and GP Dr Ffion Prothero, highlighting how collaboration can help deliver healthier homes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Louise Harford, Strategic Housing Improvement Partner at Liverpool City Council, will then lead a session on identifying risk within housing and improving referral pathways, particularly where vulnerability, neglect and health inequalities intersect.

The programme will also feature a session on practical energy improvement strategies in the PRS, alongside updates on the new assessment regime, delivered by Anees Mank of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Richard Tacagni of London Property Licensing.

The conference will conclude with a case study from Charlotte Ward, Head of Private Sector Housing at the London Borough of Ealing, focusing on the authority’s response to the new wave of unsafe Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) layouts and its approach to enforcement.

Nikki Pearson, Head of Membership Services at CIEH, said:

“We’re delighted to be bringing together such a comprehensive and timely programme for this year’s CIEH Housing and Health Conference. With significant legislative changes and ongoing challenges across the Private Rented Sector, it’s vital that environmental health professionals have access to the latest insights, practical guidance and opportunities to learn from one another.

“This year’s event offers exactly that – from expert-led sessions on policy and enforcement to real-world case studies showcasing innovative approaches on the ground. We would encourage anyone working in housing and environmental health to sign up for what is sure to be a hugely insightful and engaging event.”

The CIEH Housing and Health Conference 2026 takes place online on Wednesday, 13 May and Thursday, 14 May and is open to CIEH members and non-members.

For the full programme and to book a place visit: https://www.cieh.org/events/2026/may/cieh-housing-and-health-conference/