Private landlords have to accept their accountability to local authorities in highly regulated rented sectors – says a leading UK association for professional landlords.

And the foundation for their successful relationship started in Leeds – where the model for working partnerships between landlords and Town Halls was born in the mid 1990s.

Now, more than a decade later, the Residential Landlords Association is committed to their local accreditation schemes that weed out ‘cowboy’ landlords.

It’s part of the RLA’s belief in self-regulation – and they have said as much to the Government-funded Law Commission that is currently considering the modernisation of housing law and practice.

“Many areas of industry and commerce that serve the public are regulated - wherever consumer interests need protecting,” says Chris Town, a director of the Residential Landlords Association - whose members own over 100,000 private rented properties throughout the UK.

“Our private rented sector is no exception - particularly because of the well established links between poor housing and poor health. People who decide to become landlords must accept they will need to comply with legislative standards.

“But let the emphasis be on self-regulation through partnership with local authorities. Jointly organised accreditation schemes have already provided foundations for improving standards and relationships between landlords, tenants, local authorities and local communities.

“The vast majority of good landlords can only benefit from this – leaving enforcement to be targeted at the minority of bad landlords who tarnish our reputation.

 “The RLA has always supported accreditation schemes and we are sponsoring this year’s annual national conference of the Accreditation Network UK. It’s only by working as a team that we can ensure a healthy investment future for the private rented sector.”

Chris Town owns and manages rented properties in Leeds where, a decade ago, landlords worked closely with UNIPOL Student Homes to introduce accreditation for landlords who provided accommodation for the city’s university and college population.

Their success has benefited both tenants and landlords, he says. “At the time, such collaboration was groundbreaking but, since then, it has promoted the voluntary means and market forces that have improved standards of quality property.

“It also turned the city into a launchpad for many other educational institutions and local authorities who later developed their own schemes. These attracted national attention and have now led to  national government involvement.

“Leeds City Council, which has the largest private rented sector in the country, still holds regular consultative meetings with landlord. It’s not only the ultimate partnership but it’s a way forward for the whole industry sector.”
 
Accreditation is among several issues on which the Residential Landlords Association campaigns. They include lobbying for the formal acceptance of a Code of Practice laying down expected standards for professional landlords, a common sense approach to the implementation of Housing Act licence conditions and fees relating to houses in multiple occupation, as well as a re-think on fire safety regulations, housing allowance payments and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.