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What is the accredited Landlord Scheme ?
This is presently a voluntarily scheme, setup by Swindon Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department to make sure that people renting out rooms in houses or HMO’s (Houses in Multiple Occupation) meet and exceed a good standard of accommodation as well as management of their properties. Houses which are subdivided into flats, bedsits or individual rooms are known as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO's). Some HMO's however, often afford the lowest standard of accommodation with; poor standards of repair, amenity and management. More information on HMO standards is available at this link: http://www.swindon.gov.uk/housing/ The risk and consequences of fire can also be significantly greater in these dwellings. Landlords must have a complete interlinked main operated fire alarm system with fire extinguishers on all floors and fire blankets in kitchens
All too often people looking for good, affordable and well managed properties are presented with a poor choice. Swindonrooms.com actively encourage all potential tenants to seek out landlords, Landladies and Letting agents that are accredited and display the Swindon Borough Council accreditation logo.
So your Landlord is accredited, what do you get ?
The scheme is voluntary. The standards are set and enforced by the Swindon Borough Council.
- The Landlord will properly manage your tenancy.
- The accommodation will be clean, in good repair and reasonably well decorated at the start of your tenancy.
- All tenancies will be subject to a written tenancy agreement.
- The Landlord will give you full contact details including a phone number to report defects.
- The Landlord will respond within a reasonable time to resolve defects.
- You must be given reasons in writing if your deposit is withheld.
- The Landlord will give at least 24 hours notice prior to inspecting unless this is impracticable.
You must think very carefully why a landlord would not want to be accredited. Most people renting out their properties, are professional people who genuinely care about their properties and their tenants. But there are minimum standards that every one must adhere to – the accreditation scheme creates a level playing field for all.
Here at Swindonrooms.com we believe that all decent landlords and landladies should volunteer their properties to be accredited. Accreditation leads to a high standard of accommodation for everyone and gets rid of rogue landlords and poor and dangerous properties.
You can get more information about the Landlord’s accreditation scheme and HMO standards in general by visiting Swindon Borough Council’s useful link at:-
http://www.swindon.gov.uk/housing/
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Help us help you and help Swindon maintain a good standard of accommodation for all
If you feel that you have visited property in Swindon that doesn’t meet the necessary standards laid down by the HMO standards (more information is available on the website - handwash basins in all bedrooms, lockable fire doors with door closers, a properly installed fire alarm system and generally clean and tidy accommodation), then you should think seriously about ringing the Environmental Health Department.
Richard Palacio is the Lead Officer for the Landlord Accreditation Scheme.
He can be contacted on 01793 466107 or via the following e-mail link rpalacio@swindon.gov.uk
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