The South Somerset Landlords Accreditation scheme was launched
in November 2010.
Accreditation is not a legal requirement, but landlords are
encouraged to participate as there are lots of advantages to being
accredited.
What is the aim of the scheme
?
The aim of the accreditation scheme is to work with landlords to
provide good quality accommodation in South Somerset. This means
that rented properties will meet the national Decent Home
Standard and that landlords are signed up to provide a good
standard of management.
In this scheme landlords or agents can self-certify
that their accommodation meets the required standards. A
random selection of properties will be inspected by Council
officers to ensure compliance with accreditation standards.
The Accreditation Certificate is to give recognition to good
quality, well managed rental accommodation to the
landlord. The certificate is available to display at the
property and the landlord can use the accreditation logo
on their literature (subject to providing a written agreement
about its use).
What are the benefits to the Landlord
?
- Free advertising of and referrals to accredited property by the
Housing
Options team.
- Free advice on legal aspects of landlord/tenancy issues
provided by the Tenancy Sustainment Officer. This includes advice
on Assured Shorthold Tenancies, Section 21 Notices, the Deposit
Guarantee Bond and Tenant Deposit Scheme.
- Free advice on housing standards/decent homes issues provided
by the Housing Standards
team.
- Invitations to all Landlord Forum meetings, free
newsletters, free landlords training and free legal updates.
- Access to the subsidised Wessex Reinvestment Trust (WRT) home
loan scheme, with loans up to £15,000 available.
- Access to House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
grants of up to £6,000 and advice on other grant aid
available.
- Accredited properties are highlighted on the SSDC website to
encourage tenant choice.
- Information about the benefits of the accreditation scheme is
available on this website and displayed at the Council
Offices.
- Accredited properties tend to have less voids and enjoy a
faster turnaround of tenants.
- This is a low cost way of getting reassurance that the property
is the best on the market.
- Tenants acknowledge that accredited properties are safer and
better managed and prefer to rent them.
Who can
apply?
Any landlord (or potential landlord) letting property in
the South Somerset area.
What does it cost
?
The scheme is completely free of
charge.
How long does an accreditation
scheme certificate last ?
Accreditation is for 3 years.
If the property is a licensed HMO, then accreditation will
be synchronised with the licence period.
How do I apply
?
To receive an application pack please
telephone 01935 462462 and ask for
the Housing Standards team
or
Write to Landlords Accredition Scheme, Housing
Standards, South Somerset District Council, Council Offices,
Brympton Way, Yeovil, BA20 2HT
or
E-mail private.housing@southsomerset.gov.uk
or
Download and print an application
pack.
What difference will the scheme
make to tenants ?
Tenants prefer accredited properties because it gives them
greater confidence in the property. They will know that:-
- the gas, electric and fire alarms have been checked.
- the property meets Environmental Health legal requirements and
the accreditation standards.
- the landlord or agent has signed up to the Code of Good
Management Practice.
- overall they can expect standards to be
higher and therefore are more likely to choose an
accredited property.
If you are a tenant, then please encourage your landlord
to join the scheme!