Expert recommends landlord accreditation schemes

News Category: Legal

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Signing up for a local accreditation scheme as part of their residential property management could help keep landlords and letting agents in line with the law, an expert has suggested.

By providing specific requirements on property repairs, accreditation schemes can help landlords comply with legislative requirements, suggested Neil Marsden, environmental health consultant at the Residential Landlords Association.

"The key benefit of being an accredited landlord is that if there is a problem with the property, then in all probability, the local authority will deal with it informally and not go down the criminal procedure route," he said.

Under the scheme, landlords have to self-certify that their property management portfolio is up-to-date in terms of repair work and the local authority might request to visit some of the rental property owner's homes.

Landlords should carry out precautionary checks and maintenance on their property portfolio before the winter weather takes hold or their repair bills called "soar", the National Landlords Association warned last month.

How to stay legally compliant with letting agency software.