There is an on-going debate as to whether all landlords throughout the UK should be made to join an accreditation scheme due to the fact that so many people are now relying on private rented accommodation in order to provide them a home. Due to the housing crisis, many rogue landlords are now letting out unsuitable properties to tenants who are too scared to complain due to the fact that they think they will be evicted and will have nowhere else to go.
This is why some councils have already taken it upon themselves to create accreditation schemes for landlords, and while these are not mandatory those that do sign up will definitely reap the benefits as potential tenants will be more likely to choose them over their competitors. Furthermore, if a large amount of landlords in the area sign up for accreditation it will be easy to spot rogue landlords as they will generally not sign up to such a scheme. Sunderland council have already introduced their landlord accreditation scheme, and so far twenty landlords have already signed up.
In order to receive the accreditation each landlord must prove that they are a fit and proper person to manage properties and that all the properties they own meet the high standards set out by the council’s housing and neighbourhood renewal team. Discussing the scheme, cabinet member for housing Councillor Graeme Miller said: “Private landlords offer 14,000 homes to families in Sunderland, so it is important that the council and landlords work together to ensure private rented accommodation is as good as it can be. We want to help landlords maintain and manage properties and attract tenants, help tenants by ensuring high standards of accommodation, and help communities by providing a high quality rental sector where they live.”
Meanwhile, Phil Brazier, who was one of the first to sign up to the scheme and owns properties in Hendon and Pallion said: “This scheme is very important for landlords because it helps us individually to demonstrate the high quality of our properties, and our shared commitment to their part in the community as a worthwhile long-term investment. More settled, happier tenants in well-maintained and well-managed private rented homes will improve the entire neighbourhood.” If schemes like this succeed it is very likely that they could become introduced nationwide in the next few years, which could benefit landlords as it could reduce the cost of their landlord insurance and gain them more support from their local council.