Landlord Accreditation
The landlord accreditation scheme has been established in order to raise the standards of housing within the private rented sector and to improve the management of such housing within the Borough of Pendle.
This is to be achieved through the provision of advice, support and incentives to landlords. The Borough of Pendle will actively work with and publicly recognise those landlords who are willing to attain and adhere to good property standards.
The accreditation scheme is voluntary and so is not compulsory for landlords to join. However, joining the scheme provides advantages to both landlords and tenants in the private sector.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a set of standards or codes relating to both the management and the physical condition of privately rented accommodation.
Aims of the Scheme:
- to encourage, acknowledge and promote good standards in privately rented accommodation
- to support landlords who want to raise standards in their properties by offering advice, benefits and resources
- to ensure that the physical condition of properties and the level of provision of basic amenities and management practices are fair and reasonable and will not put the health, safety and welfare of tenants or the community at risk
How Does the Scheme Operate?
Landlords wishing to join the scheme will be required to:
- complete a property submission form detailing all the properties in their portfolio within the Borough of Pendle area
- complete a self assessment checklist of the physical standard of each property
- provide access to a number of their properties at random to be checked for compliance and for accurate completion of the self assessment tool
- ensure that their properties are not in a condition that is liable to be hazardous to the health and safety of tenants, visitors of members of the public
- ensure that their properties meet the requirements of the Scheme or alternatively where properties do not meet the required standard the landlord must work with the Council to agree a Schedule of Works and for completion of the works within a reasonable timescale
- ensure that their properties are managed in a way that meets the accreditation scheme Code of Practice
The Code of Practice:
To ensure that landlords meet the Code of Practice for the accreditation scheme they must ensure that:
- all appliances within the property are tested in accordance with gas and electrical safety regulations
- all furniture provided in properties must comply with fire safety regulations
- all tenancies should have a written tenancy agreement which states the level of rent and provisions for this to be reviewed
- landlords must deal responsibly with their tenants and in a professional manner
- landlords must deal responsibly with complaints about tenant behaviour
- deposits must be placed into one of the tenancy deposit protection schemes and information provided to the tenant on this
- landlords should be fully aware of the legislation relating to privately renting
Benefits To Landlords
- landlords are provided with an accredited landlord sticker which they can display in their properties together with a certificate of membership which acts as a hallmark of good practice
- landlords will receive advice and support from the Housing Standards team
- energy efficiency advice and grants are available to accredited landlords
- discounts with local contractors on services
- access to training events covering best practice and new legislation
- marketing of vacant properties on the Council website (not available currently)
- landlords will provided with a copy of a Code of Standards to follow
Benefits to Tenants
Tenants will benefit from the peace of mind that they are choosing to rent from a landlord accredited by the Council and as such the property will be in a good condition and well managed.
Specific advantages include:
- all gas and electrical appliances, their supply and installations will be certified as safe by an approved contractor under current legislative requirements
- furniture supplied by the landlord will meet the current fire safety regulations
- tenants will receive a written copy of their tenancy agreement containing details about the rent and the name and contact details for the landlord or managing agent
- if tenants ask for it then the landlord will provide a receipt for any payments of rent
- any deposit paid will be protected in a tenancy deposit protection scheme
- anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and your landlord will speak to you if any complaints are received.
Useful Contacts
The Housing Standards TeamHousing Regeneration Services Town Hall
Market Street Nelson
Lancashire
BB9 7LG Tel: 01282 661008 Fax: 01282 661043 Email: housing.standards@pendle.gov.uk
Useful Links and Downloads
- Communities and Local Government website - Landlord accreditation
- Accreditation application pack and associated documents
