Bring Shelter Cymru’s expertise In-house
Choose from our in-house courses below to find the best course that fits your organisation. Alternatively, we can discuss your training needs and develop a bespoke package that pinpoints the most relevant content for your staff. We can base these on our eLearning courses or create something completely new.
From half a day to four-day courses, we will fit in with the dates that suit you. All of our in-house courses can be delivered live online or in person.
Topics and courses
Foundation in Welsh Homelessness Law – (Level 1) – Key Terms
Level 1 of Shelter Cymru’s Foundation in Welsh Homelessness Law guides learners through an overview of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and its key terms. This course presents an excellent introduction to understanding the who, what, when, where and why of the law around homelessness in Wales.
Foundation in Welsh Homelessness Law – (Level 2), Local Authority Homelessness Duties
This course builds on the basics explored in our Level 1 Foundation in Welsh Homelessness Law.
Shelter Cymru’s Level 2 course will give you all that you need to understand homelessness duties and the rights that people have to challenge decisions about their homeless applications
Foundation in Welsh Homelessness Law – (Level 3), Advanced
This advanced level course from Shelter Cymru’s Foundation in Welsh Homelessness Law brings together learning and best practice from across the country, specifically focused on the adaptations that various local authorities have introduced to their procedures as a result of reviews, legal challenges and subsequent case law.
Preventing Homelessness – Working to Sustain Occupation Contracts (Level 2)
This course aims to give learners the information and understanding to be able to confidently assist and advise people facing possession action – whether it is at an early stage or at a crisis point. Delegates will gain an understanding of when to refer to specialist advisers and why, as well as the ability to take action to assist and give the best opportunity of defeating a claim for possession or prevent an eviction.
Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 – Possession Procedures Toolkit (Level 3 Course)
The Renting Homes (Wales) Act brings changes to most aspects of the law around renting in Wales including the ways in which landlords can regain possession of their properties. Whether you advise people on housing matters, support contract holders (tenants) facing eviction or make decisions about a person being homeless or threatened with homelessness, it is clear that you will need to understand the notice requirements that landlords are obligated to follow and the validity of any notices served.
Domestic Abuse Homelessness Rights and options
It is well documented that understanding housing options and rights is often crucial to supporting victims of domestic abuse to exercise their rights in a housing context.
This 1 day course delivered by specialist advisers at Shelter Cymru, will cover options available under housing law to both owner-occupiers and tenants, whether married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership. The training will be delivered online in an interactive and informal format, with many opportunities to put learning into practice throughout the day.
Introducing the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Level 1)
This course is designed to highlight key changes that this revolutionary piece of legislation has brought to renters and landlords in Wales and provides the foundation for all your future learning on the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
Renting Homes (Wales) Act – a guide for advisors (Level 1)
Renting in Wales has changed for most landlords and tenants. The RHWA 2016 changes the language of renting, places additional demands on landlords, raises the rights of contract holders and increases protections around disrepair, retaliatory evictions and the ending of joint tenancies
RHWA – A guide for support workers (Level 1)
This course is intended to cover the main changes introduced by the RHWA as experienced by the clients your team are supporting. Completion of this course will provide you with the confidence to explain the main changes and the practical knowledge of when and where referrals need to be made.
A Practical Guide to Renting in the Private Rented Sector after RHWA (Level 1)
People renting in the private sector have vastly different rights and protections under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
This course will provide an essential practical guide to renting in the PRS now that this piece of legislation is in force. Underpinned by the law, this course will guide learners through the main differences in the new regime and will provide practical tips on navigating the legislation and supporting occupiers to understand and enforce their rights.
Standard Contracts: Supporting occupiers in the Private Rented Sector (Level 2)
Contract holders (formerly tenants) within the private rented sector are likely to feel the greatest amount of change from the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. From increased protection from eviction, to the right to live in accommodation which is fit for human habitation and more clarity in what is to be expected from themselves as contract holders and from their landlord.
This course will explore the particular provisions within the Act which relate to Standard Contracts, using the Welsh Government’s model contract as a reference point for learning throughout the day.
Secure Contracts: Supporting Occupiers in the Social Rented Sector (Level 2)
The social rented sector is not immune to the changes which the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 has introduced. Whilst the security of tenure for many social tenants will remain broadly the same, there are some key changes which will have a significant impact. It is essential that anyone supporting people who live in the social rented sector knows how the new Act will change the renting experience for the people they support.
Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 – Supported Standard Contracts (Level 2)
The supported housing sector has often felt like an afterthought in terms of the rights of occupiers but the broad brush of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 has also brought sweeping changes here. Despite supported housing remaining outside of the Act, once occupiers have been living in Supported Accommodation for six months, they must be provided with additional security of tenure in the form of a Supported Standard Contract.
Landlord and Contract Holder (Tenant) Obligations under the Renting Homes Wales Act 2016 (Level 1 Course)
So it is no secret that the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 changed renting in Wales forever. With this wide-reaching, ambitious legislation come new and updated obligations for landlords and the people who rent their properties.
This course will provide learners with a broad understanding of the rights and requirements of landlords and contract holders under the new system and highlight the serious implications of getting things wrong.
Harassment, unlawful evictions and the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Level 2 Course)
With the introduction of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act and the far-reaching changes it makes for people who rent their homes in Wales, there is a greater risk that Community and Private landlords will make mistakes during the process of ending contracts (tenancies).
Using the legal frameworks around harassment and unlawful evictions, you will learn about the action that individuals and local authorities can take when your clients are faced or threatened with these issues.
Possession Notices under the RHWA 2016
So called “No fault” notices are still a feature of the modern renting market, however the way that landlords can use these notices has changed drastically. This course will take a detailed look at the notice period that a landlord must give to a contract holder who entered a contract on or after 1 December 2022.
The course will also look at the other types of landlord notice, as well as breach of contract notices (including ASB and Non-ASB) while examining any defences that may arise even on a mandatory ground for possession.
Serious Rent Arrears and Counter – Claims under the RHWA 2016
‘Serious rent arrears’ is defined in the Renting Homes Wales Act as arrears of at least two months’ unpaid rent where rent is payable monthly, or eight weeks’ unpaid rent where rent is payable weekly. This is a mandatory ground, where the claim is made out in court.
This course will examine any defences that may arise even on a mandatory ground for possession and identify where a contract holder may have an eligible counter-claim, in terms of Fitness For Human Habitation, property disrepair, statutory obligations and compensation. Additionally this course will cover ECHR defences and review rights under s218 against public landlords.
Fitness for Human Habitation
For too long, many renters in Wales have had a raw deal when it comes to their living conditions. From fears of reporting repairs, landlord failure to act on repairs, retaliatory evictions and the complexity involved in challenging disrepair, we often see people living in accommodation which is far below the reasonable standards anyone should expect in the modern world. The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 enshrines the fitness for human habitation test into the rights of all contract holders.
Debt: Breaking the Cycle – Half Day
Now more than ever, it is essential that people in debt can access up to date, practical advice and support in dealing with their debts, maximising their income and building financial resilience.
This course provides a structured introduction to the money advice process and the debt cycle. Participants will develop effective strategies for dealing with debt, provide initial support and know where and when to refer people.
Understanding Universal Credit – the changes, the claims and the pitfalls – Full Day
Understanding Universal Credit is essential if we are to continue helping the ever growing number of claimants who will rely on it to pay their housing costs and support themselves and their families
Understanding Hoarding Behaviours
Hoarding is a complicated matter with numerous causes and negative effects. Helping someone to deal with their hoarding issues relies on knowledge, patience and understanding.
This course explores the different types of hoarders and hoarding behaviours, unpicks the difference between hoarding as a mental health issue or lifestyle choice, provides risk management tips for hoarding and looks at strategies for helping hoarders.
Get in touch
If you would like to book or discuss any of these courses, or any in-house training, either fill out the form below or get in touch using the telephone number below:
Telephone: 01792483072