Supporting Vulnerable Households in the Rented Sector

Supporting Vulnerable Households in the Rented Sector Spotlight Session

Tuesday 2 June 2026 (1:30pm-3:00pm)

Course aim

The aim of this course is to equip learners with an overview of the knowledge and practical skills to support vulnerable households in the private rented sector. It will explore the key risks associated with this tenure, give an overview of the policy and legislative framework that protects tenants, and provide clear, actionable guidance on how frontline staff can respond effectively.

Audience

This spotlight session is designed for frontline workers and energy advisers who support vulnerable households, particularly in the private rented sector. It is especially relevant for those providing practical advice and support to tenants experiencing issues such as cold homes, high energy bills, damp, mould, and housing insecurity.

Course objectives

Identify why the private rented sector presents increased risks for vulnerable households.
Explain the role of housing, energy, and fuel poverty policy in shaping tenant protections.
Understand the purpose and function of key frameworks such as HHSRS and MEES, etc.
Recognise the links between housing conditions, fuel poverty, and health outcomes.
Explore practical approaches to supporting tenants, including energy advice, landlord communication, and signposting.
Identify when issues may require escalation, including enforcement routes or additional support.

Course content

Introduction to vulnerability and risk in the private rented sector
The “Healthy Homes” policy umbrella, including:
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and hazard identification
Fuel Poverty Strategy and its focus on affordability, vulnerability, and health
Warm Homes Plan and its role in long-term housing improvements
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the private rented sector
Decent Homes Standard and expectations of housing quality
Awaab’s Law and the management of damp and mould
Renters’ Rights Act and tenant protection from eviction
The relationship between housing conditions, energy costs, and health impacts

Bringing it all together: understanding how multiple issues (cold, damp, affordability, insecurity) interact in real-life situations.

Delivery method

The course is delivered online via webinar.

Duration

1.5 hour (spotlight session)

How will the webinar work

Our webinars are delivered live by our expert tutors.

We typically use Zoom for these sessions. To join, learners will need a device with internet access, sound capability, a webcam and a microphone.

As this is a spotlight session, speakers will not have the opportunity to answer questions throughout the session. All questions will be collated, and a Q and A document will be sent to attendees after the event, summarising any further information required.

After the webinar, learners will also receive a handout booklet summarising the key topics covered during the course.

Date and time

2 June 2026 (1:30pm – 3:00pm)

Fees/funded places

Places are available free of charge to non-commercial organisations based in England and Wales (such as local authorities, housing associations, advice agencies, etc.). Learners must also be frontline staff or volunteers who encounter and provide advice to those in or at risk of fuel poverty.

Further details, contact:

trainingadmin@nea.org.uk

BOOKING FORM

WEBINAR – Supporting Vulnerable Households in the Rented Sector – 02 June 2026 (1:30pm – 3:00pm)

To book a place on this webinar, please complete the form below. Once you submit the booking form you should see a confirmation note on screen. If not, and instead you return back to the top of the form, your booking has not been completed. Please check that all relevant fields are complete and your email address is correct, then submit again.

LEARNER DETAILS

First name(Required)

Surname(Required)

Job title

Organisation(Required)

Organisation sector(Required)

Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Phone

Region(Required)

County(Required)

Postcode(Required)

Is your organisation a Warm Space?(Required)

What are the main services that your organisation provides to householders in or at risk of fuel poverty?(Required)

FEE RATE

As indicated in the course outline, funded places are available to non-commercial/not for profit organisations in England and Wales (such as local authorities, housing associations, advice agencies etc). Learners must also be frontline staff or volunteers that encounter and provide advice to clients in or at risk of fuel poverty (essentially those on a low income/in a vulnerable situation and who are struggling to manage their household energy needs). Standard fees for learners that do not meet the above criteria are outlined below.

Fee rate – please select(Required)

FUNDED PLACE – I work for a non-commercial organisation based in England or Wales AND encounter those in or at risk of fuel poverty

NEA MEMBER – Not for profit – £55 + VAT

NEA MEMBER – Commercial – £65 + VAT

NON MEMBER – Not for profit – £65 + VAT

NON MEMBER – Commercial – £75 + VAT

Funded place code (if applicable)

If you have been given a code or reference for your funded place, please add details below to help us link your place to the correct project. If you haven’t been given a code, please leave this field blank.

IMPORTANT NOTE: NEA relies on funding from external sources to enable us to offer free training activities. In order to fulfil our commitments to funders we need to ensure that learning takes place on time and that we meet the required minimum number of learners. Failure to do this may impact on future funding. If you receive a funded place and no longer wish to complete the course please inform NEA as soon as possible so that your place can be reallocated.

PAYMENT DETAILS

The details provided in this section will be used to issue an invoice. Please provide the relevant finance/accounts payable contact details and if needed, a purchase order number to ensure prompt payment. If you are applying for a funded place, you do not need to complete this section.

Organisation

Contact person

First Last

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City County / State / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Purchase order number (if requried)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Once in receipt of this completed booking form, NEA shall contact the learner to confirm the place or offer an alternative if the session is already fully booked.

Bookings are for the named person only, if you wish to change the attendee name please inform NEA in advance of the webinar date so that we can update our records on who will be attending (places are limited so anyone not officially booked may be turned away on the day).

CANCELLATIONS: I understand that the above reservation is made on the condition that a fee of:

– 50% of the full course fee will be charged for any cancellation received within four weeks of the course start date.
– 75% of the full course fee will be charged for any cancellation received within two weeks of the course start date.
– 100% of the full course fee will be charged for any cancellation received within 5 working days of the course start date or for failure to attend without prior notice.
– Funded places – cancellation charges do not apply but if you are unable to attend please inform NEA as soon as possible so that your place can be reallocated. Please note that while the place is free of charge to the learner there is a cost implication to NEA to deliver the webinar and failure to inform us that you are unable to attend prevents us from being able to re-allocate the place and can have knock on implications to future funding. Regular cancellations or non-attendance may result in future bookings being blocked.

DATA PROTECTION

We collect and use your personal information to manage your booking and provide the services you’ve requested. To help us deliver the best possible support, we may share your information within our organisation. Your data will be handled securely and only accessed by authorised staff. We will never share your details with external third parties unless required by law. By submitting this form, you agree to the use of your data in line with current data protection legislation. Our full privacy policy can be viewed at the following link – https://www.nea.org.uk/privacy-policy/

Mailing lists(Required)

From time-to-time NEA may also send details of further projects / training events including free courses. Would you like to be included in these mailings?

Yes

CONFIRMATION

If you have read and agreed to the above information please select the submit button below to complete your booking.

PLEASE NOTE: Once you complete the booking form and select submit you should see a confirmation note on screen. If not and instead you return back to the top of the booking form, your booking is not complete. Please check that all relevant fields are complete and your e-mail address is correct then submit again.