The informal session at Trumpington Pavilion, on Thursday 22 February from 5.45pm, is being run by Cambridge City Council to let private rental tenants know of the support and advice that is available to them from the council and others.
It will feature a presentation by Ben Reeve Lewis, an independent expert in the laws affecting tenants and landlords, including letting agencies.
Among the topics to be covered during the session are:
Repairs – including landlords’ obligations to keep anything to do with a building in a good state of repair
Deposits – including the regulations surrounding deposits and what to do if a deposit is not placed in one of three protection schemes
Possession proceedings – how tenants can protect themselves from eviction
The council’s responsibilities – such as protecting tenants from harassment and licensing rental properties.
Council officers will be on hand to answer any specific questions residents may have about their private rental situation and to provide advice and assistance.
Cllr Kevin Price, Executive Councillor for Housing, said: “Many people living in rented accommodation in Cambridge may not know where to turn if they have any concerns about their home, their landlord or their rental agreements.
“This informal session, which is open to all, will give people living in rented accommodation the chance to find out about the range of advice and assistance available to them.
“Informing private tenants of their rights is part of the wider work the council is doing to help drive up standards of accommodation across the private sector in Cambridge, and I would encourage anyone with any issues or questions to come along and find out how they can be helped.”
The session for residents is free, but anyone wishing to attend is asked to phone 01223 458050 or email residential.eh@cambridge.gov.uk in advance. If any other local groups are interested in holding a similar session for residents they are also asked to get in touch with the council.