Shelter Scotland’s private renting project manager, Ellie Hutchinson, invites people to attend the charity’s first conference for renters in Glasgow.

On the 23rd September in Glasgow, we’ll be hosting our first conference for people who rent. We’ve been working with tenants across the country to hear about their experiences of renting, and what they can do to access their renting rights for the last couple of years. This participatory approach has culminated in the planning and delivery of this event- Renting, Venting and Change.

From themes to workshops, to activities to venue, members of our national tenants panel have been an integral part of organising the day, and we’re really excited to be hosting what is sure to be an interesting and invigorating event. We’ll hear from the innovative Glasgow Student Housing Co-operative on why, where and how they’ve developed, exploring alternatives to high street renting.

We’ve also got a space for learning, with Natasha from our policy team looking at the new tenancy legislation, and the new rights tenants will have. This is a monumental change for private tenants, and we’re passionate about making sure people know what these changes are, and how they can secure their rights as renters.

We’ll also have lots of space for problem solving, exploring common complaints and issues around repairs, deposits, communication with landlords and letting agents, with an advisor on hand to talk through any issues.

We’re really excited to close the day with Zakia Mouloui, founder of Invisible Cities, and Head of Innovation, Events and Partnerships at Social Bite Fund, to hear her thoughts on communities and connections. We know the only way to really see change is when passionate people come together to learn, to hear and to act. As such, our partners in the event, Living Rent, will be running a session on developing a campaign, looking at how we can respond when our rights aren’t easily achieved. We know that often what at first seems like an individual issue, is often a larger problem impacting on many many different people. This session will be all about broadening our understanding of the many different techniques and tools we need to employ to resolve the housing crisis.

We are (of course), putting on free breakfast and lunch, it is a Saturday after all! The event is free, but ticketed, with spaces filling up fast, and we’re covering travel and childcare expenses for attendees- we want to make this as accessible and as participatory as possible. Not one organisation, or individual approach holds the key to ensuring people are housed properly, in affordable, safe, secure homes. By bringing together a diverse, creative, and innovative group of folk we hope to facilitate that dialogue on how to make long lasting, real change. We hope you can come too.

If you’d like to come along- register today. The event will be taking place between 10am and 4pm on 23rd September at Renfield St Stephens, 260 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4JP.