23 - Council launches new landlord schemes.

 

A property accreditation scheme and a landlord’s accreditation scheme have been introduced to encourage, recognise and reward good private residential landlords. It is hoped that they will help to raise standards and provide recognition for responsible landlords.

 

The schemes will be promoted by the council to prospective tenants seeking good, sound, quality private rental accommodation.

 

Landlords who agree to meet quality standards for their properties and the management of them will be able to take advantage of a range of benefits provided by the council. These will include access to landlord improvement grants and back up and support from the council.

 

Councillor Michael Evans, cabinet member for housing, said:

“The new accreditation schemes will ensure landlords are providing high quality well managed and well maintained properties for rent.

 

“Tenants will be able to access lists of accredited properties from us giving them the peace of mind they are seeing the best rental properties available to them.

 

 “Landlords have already started to show interest in the schemes and feedback so far has been very positive. Accreditation will recognise good landlords and will, we hope in time, vastly improve the quality of private rental accommodation throughout Dudley.”

 

Landlord education and development is central to the schemes and by applying for accreditation landlords will have the opportunity to attend regular landlord forums, where key issues will be discussed and any training needs addressed.

 

Membership of the property accreditation scheme is free, and there is a small fee for the landlord’s scheme. Dudley Council’s accreditation team can be contacted on 01384 815112.