A new scheme that aims to reassure tenants about the true state of property to rent was launched by members of the Residential Landlords Association today.

The Association, which represents landlords with more than £1.2billion worth of property and more than 30,000 tenancies across the UK, developed the Property Inspection Certificate (PIC) after it was revealed that more than 2 million homes are considered unfit to live in.

The PIC, which is available free to all landlords though the association's website at www.rla.org.uk, is a simple check-list of items to help landlords assess the suitability of a property.

Chairman Martin Moylan explained: "The Association is continually working to drive up standards in the private rented sector and help our members provide the best service to tenants they possibly can.

"As the body created by landlords for landlords we are introducing simple measures like the new tenancy agreement which has the Crystal Mark of the Plain English Campaign and the new PIC to help.

"Together with all our other member benefits it adds up to peace of mind for tenants."

The PIC covers everything from the structural stability of the property to repairs, damp, electrical wiring and gas installations.

The bathroom and kitchen facilities are also listed after a recent survey revealed one in six properties in the UK were unfit to live in because of unsatisfactory cooking areas.

Mr Moylan added: "This is the first step towards the Association's own accreditation scheme for landlords and is a key addition to our portfolio of benefits which help landlords make sure tenants get the very best service available."

And though the majority of benefits are available exclusively to RLA members, the association has opted to give the PIC to any landlord in a bid to drive up standards across the private rented sector.

"It is important that we do everything in our power to make sure people are not housed in unfit accommodation and this simple checklist will help landlords ascertain the suitability of a property while also allowing tenants peace of mind,"

Notes to editors:

The RLA, the country's leading voice in the private rented sector, has branches throughout the UK and holds regular meetings within 30 minutes drive of all members.