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How accreditation schemes work

Landlord accreditation schemes aim to:

• help landlords to operate successful businesses
• provide tenants with safer, higher-quality accommodation
• reduce the need for intervention from local authorities

Most schemes are run by local authority housing or environmental health departments. Some schemes are run by other organisations that provide accommodation, like universities.

To become an accredited landlord, you should ensure your properties are in good condition and that you manage them well. You will need to join a scheme and follow its code of conduct. This means that your local authority will officially recognise you as a good landlord.

The schemes are voluntary, but offer benefits that can make it easier for you to rent out your property. Tenants and local authorities also benefit as it becomes easier for them to find good landlords.

Types of landlord accreditation schemes

There are two broad types of landlord accreditation schemes - one type focuses on checking the person managing the property and the other on checking the condition of the property. Most accreditation schemes combine the two types. Some schemes will also check your past record of managing rented property.

Your local authority is likely to run an accreditation scheme in your area and set the standards you should reach to become an accredited landlord. These standards vary depending on the authority. Some schemes set high standards for members from the outset while others try to raise standards gradually over time.

To become accredited, you may be asked to give clear information to tenants at the start of tenancies about the property's utility suppliers and, for example, to carry out necessary pre-tenancy repairs.

When you apply to join a scheme, you should usually supply details about all the properties you own and rent out in the area covered by the scheme. This includes properties operated by the local authority, a university or another organisation.

Where to find more details of accreditation schemes

You can find out more about landlord accreditation schemes in your area by contacting your local council. You can also contact the Accreditation Network UK (ANUK), an organisation that promotes accreditation in the private rented sector.

If you are a landlord in Northern Ireland, you can get details of accreditation schemes in Northern Ireland from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

• Contact your local council Opens new window

• Accreditation Netwok UK (ANUK) Opens new window

• Find contact details on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive website Opens new window

Who can join an accreditation scheme?

You can join a landlord accreditation scheme if you are a residential landlord privately letting accommodation to a tenant. You cannot join a scheme if you are a commercial landlord letting property to a business. Your local authority can give you more information on schemes in your area.

If you use a letting agent, they can join the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS), which is open to all letting agents and estate agents that manage residential accommodation. This scheme sets minimum service standards for agents, including safe handling of clients' money.

• National Approved Letting Scheme Opens new window

Why landlords should join accreditation schemes

You do not have to join a landlord accreditation scheme, but both you and your tenants may benefit from membership.

Benefits to landlords

By joining an accreditation scheme, you can benefit from:

• an advantage when advertising to tenants
• being publicly identified as a good landlord
• being seen as different from incompetent or dishonest landlords
• help with managing your properties better
• meetings or forums to meet local authority officers

Other reasons to join include:

• access to liaison officers who can help you deal with your local authority
• an improved relationship with housing benefit departments
• information on housing management and training, and development courses
• discussions on proposals that may affect you - like changes to legislation or local housing strategies
• access to grants and loans for property renovation
• advice on how to tackle anti-social behaviour
• discounts and group purchase on goods and services - for example property insurance
• access to rent deposit or rent guarantee schemes run by local authorities

Benefits to tenants

Tenants whose landlords are members of accreditation schemes benefit from knowing that their accommodation will be of a good quality and well managed.

Accreditation can help your local community, as it increases the amount of good quality accommodation and reliable landlords in the area.

More useful links

• Download landlord accreditation guidance from Communities and Local Government (PDF, 315K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

• Contact Communities and Local Government

• Disabled facilities grant - a guide for residential landlords from businesslink.gov.uk Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Home and community useful contacts

• A-Z of local councils

• Communities and Local Government Opens new window