Communications and housing workers from across the sector came together in January. Meeting ahead of the Renters' Rights Act coming into force, they explored and planned actions that will push awareness of it out in Bristol.

Fairer

Our Senior Communications Lead, Alv Hirst, said, "It's vital that renters are aware of their rights. The system is about to become fairer, but for a real difference to be made people will need to know what these are. Our Early Doors team see first-hand how situations can be turned around by providing information and advice. Knowledge, and the confidence to use it can be transformational."

Collaboration

Alice Tibbert, Director of Housing Matters, facilitated the meeting. Afterwards she said, "With the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force this May, we need to get better – and more joined up – at how we communicate across our sector. That was the clear message from the Housing Roundtable & Homeless Forum in November, and it’s what brought us together today – a room full of housing and communications professionals, focused on how we collaborate to make these changes meaningful for renters across the region.

"We looked ahead at the key activity coming up around Renters’ Rights and, importantly, how shared messaging and coordinated campaigns could help prevent confusion, reduce risk and support people before they reach crisis point. The appetite in the room to collaborate further was unmistakable. There’s real momentum to work together on Renters’ Rights, and a shared recognition that none of us can do this effectively in isolation."

The group will continue to work and focus on delivering an awareness campaign to accompany the Act coming into force. The spirit of collaboration is strong in the group, and highlights the positives of collective working.