PRIVATE landlords play a crucial role in West Devon's housing sector and the borough council is holding a free event to provide them with useful advice and information. A range of speakers will update landlords on issues including Direct Lets, improvement loans, housing benefits and deposit bonds – among many others. A group of young people will also speak at the meeting about the challenges they face in finding rented accommodation.  They recently travelled to Westminster to lobby Parliament on the issue. West Devon Borough Council is staging the Landlord's Forum in partnership with South Hams District Council on Tuesday, May 13. Cllr Robert Oxborough, the borough council's community services chairman, said: 'We want to give landlords as much support and help as possible because it is in everyone's interest for West Devon to have a thriving and high-quality private rental sector. 'We know that changes in legislation and welfare reform can make it difficult to keep up to date so this event is an ideal way for landlords to stay across current issues.   'I would encourage existing landlords or those thinking about becoming private landlords to come along for what promises to be an informative session.' Peter Lewis from the Devon Landlords Association is a guest speaker at the event which takes place at Follaton House in Totnes. The event starts at 1pm with a buffet lunch and finishes between 3.30-4pm.   There is no need to book a place, simply turn up. For more information email [email protected]">[email protected]