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Landlord Accreditation Scheme
26/08/2007
A new National Landlord Accreditation Scheme designed to reward good practice in the private rented housing sector was announced today.
The scheme aims to raise standards by encouraging private landlords to seek voluntary accreditation as a way of rewarding them for maintaining their properties to certain standards. It will also allow people looking for a property to find out which landlords are meeting the requirements.
The establishment of the scheme follows a number of successful pilots in local authorities. It is expected to be developed by working closely with both private landlords and local authorities.
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said:
"This will be a boost to both landlords and tenants in the private rented sector and I'm delighted that landlord groups are getting behind it.
"For the first time, tenants nationwide will be given the reassurance that their prospective landlords maintain and manage their properties to good standards.
"For their part, landlords who work hard to look after their properties and their tenants will have their efforts rewarded - distancing them from the small minority of 'rogue landlords' who give the sector a bad press.
"Furthermore, the scheme will provide best practice guidance to landlords, as well as a range of other membership benefits, advice and training."
John Blackwood, Director of the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), said:
"Developing a national scheme, open to all landlords, is an excellent opportunity for landlords to promote their properties and service in a way that has never been available before.
"It is truly reassuring to hear of positive initiatives of engagement with the private rented sector that both rewards and promotes good practice."
"Since our involvement with the Housing Improvement Task Force, the Scottish Association of Landlords has promoted the concept of a national accreditation scheme for landlords throughout Scotland.
"Our experience in developing Edinburgh Landlord Accreditation has proved that landlords are interested in maintaining high standards in both the condition of the property they let and the level of service they offer their tenants.
Jackie McCreery, Director of Policy and Parliamentary Affairs of the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA), said:
"The SRPBA is committed to ensuring that rural landlords continue to provide, and further enhance the quality private rented sector and a national voluntary accreditation scheme is a significant step in achieving this aim. We hope to work closely with the Scottish government on the national scheme."
Local accreditation schemes have already been piloted in four local authorities - Edinburgh, South Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway and Dundee - with funding from Communities Scotland. Some of the existing schemes would be expected to merge with the national scheme.
It is hoped that close links will be developed between local authorities who want to continue their own local schemes and the new national scheme.
The national accreditation framework will be based on the National Core Standards for Private Landlords developed by Communities Scotland. The scheme is expected to be driven by private landlords and letting agents themselves, working closely with local authorities.
The SRPBA represents a wide range of landlords across rural Scotland and has been involved with the pilot authorities running voluntary accreditation schemes from inception. They currently manage Quality Rent South West, the scheme operating in Dumfries and Galloway. SAL also represents a wide range of landlords across Scotland and they have also been involved in the pilot local accreditation schemes.
The Scottish government will shortly be inviting those interested to submit applications to run the national accreditation scheme.