89 lines
8.5 KiB
XML
Executable File
89 lines
8.5 KiB
XML
Executable File
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<cms:item xmlns:cms="http://www.arsdigita.com/cms/1.0" xmlns="http://www.esd.org.uk/standards/esdbody" oid="[com.arsdigita.cms.contenttypes.ESDService:{id=717}]"><cms:name>housing-3-717</cms:name><cms:language>en</cms:language><cms:title>Landlords accreditation scheme</cms:title><cms:dublinCore oid="[com.arsdigita.london.cms.dublin.DublinCoreItem:{id=717}]"><cms:name>housing-3-717-dublin-metadata</cms:name><cms:dcAudience>General Public</cms:dcAudience><cms:dcCoverage>content="99XX" scheme="ONS SNAC"</cms:dcCoverage><cms:dcCoveragePostcode/><cms:dcCoverageSpatialRef/><cms:dcCoverageUnit/><cms:dcDateValid/><cms:dcDisposalReview/><cms:dcLanguage>en</cms:dcLanguage><cms:dcTemporalBegin/><cms:dcTemporalEnd/><cms:dcCreatorOwner>LAWS Project - Starter Kit - http://www.laws-project.org.uk</cms:dcCreatorOwner><cms:dcCreatorContact>LAWS Project - Starter Kit - http://www.laws-project.org.uk</cms:dcCreatorContact><cms:dcPublisher>Tameside MBC - LAWS project - http://laws.tameside.gov.uk</cms:dcPublisher><cms:dcRights/><cms:dcKeywords>landlords, accreditation, scheme</cms:dcKeywords></cms:dublinCore><cms:textAsset oid="[com.arsdigita.cms.TextAsset:{id=717}]"><cms:content><![CDATA[<h2>Housing</h2><span class="gen">email address here</span><span class="gen">phone number here</span><span class="gen">sms phone number here</span><span class="gen">fax number here</span><span class="gen">minicom number here</span><p><i>Private landlords can benefit from belonging to a local accreditation
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scheme</i></p><hr/><p>Local authorities up and down the country are increasingly taking
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a strategic approach to the housing needs of everyone in their community. They recognise
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the important role of the private rented sector in providing accommodation for a
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diverse range of households. </p><p>As part of this new approach, many local authorities
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are seeking to work with residential landlords and give them a stake in decisions
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that affect them. This is being done in a number of ways. For example, by offering
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landlords information that helps them to manage their properties better, by arranging
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meetings or forums where landlords can exchange views with local authority officers
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and, increasingly, by setting up voluntary accreditation schemes that recognise
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and reward landlords who manage their properties to a good standard. </p><p>This information looks at the role of accreditation schemes
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for landlords, the benefits of joining one and where to find more information. </p><h2>What is accreditation?</h2><p>A set of standards (or code) relating to the management or physical
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condition of privately rented accommodation. Landlords who join a scheme and abide
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by the standards are "accredited". Accreditation schemes are voluntary.
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There is no compulsion for landlords to join, but there may be many advantages.</p><h2>What types of accreditation are available? </h2><p>This may differ from area to area. No two accreditation schemes
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are exactly the same. However, there are two main types - schemes that accredit
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the person who manages the property and those that accredit the property itself.
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Most schemes combine elements of both but the "unit" of accreditation
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is normally the property. For example, schemes may include criteria relating to
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property condition, management practices and the landlord's past management record.
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The standards set by schemes also vary. Some set high standards from the outset,
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whereas others seek to increase standards progressively over time.</p><h2>Do all of my properties have to be accredited? </h2><p>Most schemes that accredit properties do not require landlords
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to include all the properties they let. However, landlords are encouraged to bring
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other properties forward at a later stage. Schemes that accredit landlords usually
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require them to submit all of their properties within the boundaries of the scheme
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for approval. </p><h2>If accreditation is voluntary why should I join?</h2><p>There are a number of benefits common to all accreditation schemes
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and many schemes offer other incentives as well. All accredited landlords benefit
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from:</p><ul>
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<li title="*">the status of being publicly identified as a good landlord;
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</li>
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<li title="*">distancing themselves from incompetent or unscrupulous landlords;</li>
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<li title="*">the business advantage of advertising their accredited status
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to tenants who place emphasis on good quality and well managed accommodation.
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</li>
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</ul><p>Incentives offered vary from scheme to scheme but may include:
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</p><ul>
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<li title="*">a liaison officer who can help landlords to deal with any
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department of the local authority, similar to a 'one stop shop'; </li>
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<li title="*">an improved relationship with housing benefit departments;
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</li>
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<li title="*">information on housing management and access to training
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and development opportunities; </li>
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<li title="*">consultation on proposals that may affect landlords, such
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as changes to legislation or local housing strategies; </li>
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<li title="*">access to grants and loans to renovate properties to relevant
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standards set by the scheme; </li>
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<li title="*">advice on how to tackle anti-social behaviour; </li>
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<li title="*">discounts and group purchase on goods and services such as
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property insurance; and </li>
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<li title="*">access to rent deposit or rent guarantee schemes operated
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by the council. </li>
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</ul><h2>What benefits are there for tenants? </h2><p>Tenants can benefit from knowing that if they choose to rent
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from an accredited landlord, the property will be in good condition and the tenancy
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will be managed to a good standard. </p><h2>What benefits are there for local communities? </h2><p>Accreditation schemes provide a range of benefits to local communities.
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It is in everyone's interests if housing is well managed and kept in good condition.
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A successful accreditation scheme can help to increase the supply of good quality
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accommodation, to the benefit to existing tenants and potential tenants who may
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not have considered renting privately in the past. It also helps to foster better
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landlord/tenant relationships and reduces the need for intervention by council officers.
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</p><h2>Who operates accreditation schemes? </h2><p>Most schemes are run by local authorities. In some areas schemes are run by other organisations
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with an interest in housing provision. For example, universities may operate schemes
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in areas where there is a large student population. The Northern Ireland Housing
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Executive runs a scheme in Northern Ireland.</p><h2>Can letting agents join an accreditation scheme?</h2><p>The National Approved Letting Scheme is an accreditation scheme
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which is open to all letting agents and estate agents who manage residential accommodation.
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The scheme sets minimum service standards for agents and requires them to handle
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their clients' money safely. More information can be found on the NALS website at
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<a href="http://www.nalscheme.co.uk">
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<strong>www.nalscheme.co.uk</strong>
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</a> .<span class="gen">link to external website</span>
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</p><h2>Can tenants be accredited too? </h2><p>Some schemes offer accreditation for tenants who agree to abide
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by standards of responsible behaviour and respect their accommodation, neighbours
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and the contractual agreement with their landlord. There are many advantages to
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accredited tenant status when seeking alternative accommodation. </p><h2>Where can I find out more? </h2><p>Use the contact details above for advice about accreditation schemes operating in the area. </p><p>Alternatively, or for more general information about accreditation,
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contact the
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<a href="http://www.anuk.org.uk">
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<strong>National Accreditation Network UK</strong>
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</a> . <span class="gen">link to external website</span>
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</p><p>The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has published research
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and good practice guidance on
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<a href="http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_601792-01.hcsp">
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<strong>landlord accreditation schemes</strong>
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</a> .<span class="gen">link to external website</span>
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</p><span class="gen">email address here</span><span class="gen">phone number here</span><span class="gen">sms phone number here</span><span class="gen">fax number here</span><span class="gen">minicom number here</span><span class="gen">postal address here</span><h3>
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<a href="/ccm/services/pid.jsp?pid=717"> Providing Information
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(717)
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</a></h3>]]></cms:content></cms:textAsset></cms:item>
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