Private Rented Housing Accreditation Scheme
Introduction
The private rented housing accreditation scheme is a new
initiative by Neath Port Talbot CBC that will recognise those
properties in the private rented sector that are well maintained
and well managed.
The scheme is being introduced to improve the quality of private
rented housing throughout the County Borough.
There are many advantages to landlords joining our scheme such
as access to goods and services at discounted rates including
buildings insurance. Landlords of accredited properties will also
be confident that their property satisfies our standards and they
will be able to advertise that fact.
The scheme will enable prospective tenants to identify good
quality homes that will provide decent, safe and secure
accommodation.
Properties will be accredited on an individual basis and there
will be no restriction on landlords owning some properties that are
accredited and some that are not. To become part of the scheme
properties will be expected to comply with a range of standards
covering such things as gas and electrical safety, general
maintenance, fire precautions etc.
The scheme is voluntary, membership is free and the Council is
committed to helping you become a landlord or managing agent of an
accredited property.
What are the aims of the
accreditation scheme?
- The aims of the Scheme are to encourage, acknowledge, raise
awareness and actively promote good standards and management
practice by landlords, and to assist landlords and tenants to
undertake their respective responsibilities to each other.
- The Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council will give guidance
on compliance on request.
- The Scheme comprises an element of self-regulation and
accordingly relies on a degree of goodwill and trust on the parts
of landlords, tenants and Neath Port Talbot County Borough
Council.
- It is a requirement of the Scheme that the physical condition
of dwellings, the level of provision of basic amenities and
management practices, are fair and reasonable, and not liable to be
prejudicial to the health, safety and welfare of tenants or the
surrounding neighbourhood.
- Signatories to the Scheme must ensure that in addition to
complying with the requirements of the Scheme, they also comply
with their legal obligations
- Compliance with the Scheme will ensure that: o Landlords,
tenants and community members enjoy the benefit of good dwelling
conditions, competent management and considerate neighbourly
behaviour o Misunderstandings and disputes are reduced. o Where
problems do occur they are promptly resolved.
Scheme
operators' responsibilities
- The scheme operator will work in close partnership with
landlords, the local bona fide landlord associations and other key
private rented sector stakeholders.
- The scheme operator will administer and monitor the scheme
including undertaking compliance audits.
- Maintain a database record of accredited dwellings and
landlords.
- Be responsible for the issuing, administration, suspension and
revocation of accredited status.
- Provide general help and advice e.g. standards.
- Provide information on changes and likely pending changes in
legislation by such means as landlord forums, newsletters, and
through local landlord groups.
- Assist landlords and tenants to achieve accreditation
status.
- Provide advice on energy efficiency measures.
- Actively promote the accreditation scheme across Neath Port
Talbot County Borough.
- Provide incentives to joining the scheme.
- Regularly consult with accreditation scheme stakeholders and
act positively on feedback.
What
are the benefits for landlords?
- Tenants will have agreed to follow a charter, which clarifies
their responsibilities.
- Landlords will be identified as providing good quality
accommodation.
- They will be able to advertise their property as meeting the
accreditation standard.
- They will be able to apply for a security bond certificate.
This guarantees a bond or deposit on behalf of the tenant, through
an initiative run by Dewis Bond Board.
- The Council will advertise the property on the private rented
accommodation list.
- Landlords will receive an accreditation certificate they can
display in their property.
- They will qualify for negotiated discounts with local companies
providing goods and services that will assist them to meet the
standard.
- Landlords will be given grant advice on energy efficiency,
security, fire precautions and general repairs.
What are
the benefits for tenants?
- Tenants will be able to make an informed choice about the
property they choose to rent.
- They can identify property that have met relevant
standards.
- Tenants will have a written guidance on the standard of
management he/she can expect from the landlord.
- Tenants will be given grant advice on energy efficiency,
security, fire precautions and general repair
How does Accreditation Work?
For a property to be accredited the landlord must show that:
- The property meets current environmental health standards
- Services and furniture meet safety requirements
- He/she meets the fit and proper person criteria.
To be accredited, the property will have been inspected and meet
the physical standards of the scheme. Certificates relating to gas
and other relevant installations will have been received and
checked.
The Council can only warrant that both the property and landlord
meet the accreditation standard on the day of accreditation.
This is the standard the property must meet to become part of
the accreditation scheme.
The property must be fit for human habitation and comply with
legal standards. It must be structurally stable, dry, in good
repair, and have all basic amenities.
Smoke alarms must be located in the hallway and landing areas in
a house occupied by a single person or family. There are additional
requirements for houses let in multiple occupation. Further
information on these standards can be obtained from the
Environment and Trading Standards Service,
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council,
Neath Civic Centre,
Neath
SA11 3QZ
Tel No: (01639) 764325
- Certificates / Declarations
The following certificates/declarations will be required:
- A satisfactory gas safety certificate covering all gas
appliances in the property. This must be provided by a Corgi
registered contractor. Please note it is a legal requirement to
have an annual gas safety check and a copy of the gas safety
certificate must be made available to each tenant.
- electrical safety report may be required in cases where the
electrical installation is deemed to present a risk to health and
safety
What steps need to be taken to
be accredited?
- Accredited landlords
- Following successful application, and satisfactory outcomes to
the dwelling condition and management compliance checks by the
scheme operator, landlords will be awarded the status of accredited
landlord, as appropriately determined by the scheme operator.
How long will Accredited
status last?
Accreditation status will last for three years. At the end of
this period further checks will take place before renewing the
Accredited status.
In certain circumstances both the landlord and the property can
be removed from the scheme. This will occur where:
- The property has fallen below the Property Standard (allowance
will be made for completing repairs providing the response is
reasonable),
- Certificates or information provided in support of an
application are found to be fraudulent or inaccurate.
- The landlord contravenes the fit and proper person
criteria.
If the Accreditation standard is breached, the Council will
formally write to the landlord removing the property, giving the
reasons for the decision. The landlord will have the right of
appeal.
How much will it cost
to join the Accreditation scheme?
The accreditation scheme is free of charge and voluntary. A
landlord may incur costs carrying out works, so the property will
meet the required standard. Neath Port Talbot County Borough
Council has negotiated discounts with local firms to help reduce
this cost.
How can a tenant
check a landlord and property has achieved accreditation?
The names of accredited landlords, sufficient only for publicity
and promotional purposes, are a matter of public record, and are
readily available for public reference.
Disciplinary matters
- Breaches of the requirements of the Scheme will be referred to
a specified independent multi-agency Review Panel, who will
consider the nature of the breaches, the representations of the
landlord, the tenants and any other relevant parties, and decide,
if necessary, on an appropriate sanction.
- Landlords who lose their accreditation status following the
decision of the Review Panel will be entitled to make an appeal
against the decision to an independent body as specified by the
scheme operator.
- Similarly landlords wishing to make a formal complaint about
the operation of the scheme can do so to the same independent body.
The scheme Review Panel will consider the findings and
recommendations of the independent body and act on them
accordingly.
- Landlords who lose their accredited status will no longer be
participants of or eligible for any of the benefits of the
Scheme.
- The Review Panel will consider the reinstatement of
accreditation status if the landlord is able to demonstrate that
following remedial action they are capable of meeting the
requirements of the scheme.
- Disciplinary action will be reported in an open and transparent
way to demonstrate that the Scheme is being enforced.
How can a landlord apply
for Accreditation?
If you are a
landlord you can apply for accreditation by completing the application form contained in this pack. Forward
the application to:
The Community Services Division,
Environmental Health and Trading Standards Service,
Neath Civic Centre,
Neath,
SA11 3QZ.
Additional application forms can be obtained from the above
address or by telephoning (01639) 764325.