Landlord accreditation is recognition to promote good standards and management practice by landlords, and to support landlords and tenants to undertake their respective responsibilities to each other.

Landlords are initially assessed against set criteria and awarded the status then subject to monitoring and review. Landlords are accredited and are encouraged to list all properties within their portfolio which will then be individually acknowledged.

There are a number of benefits common to all accreditation schemes and many schemes offer other incentives as well. All accredited landlords benefit from:

• the status of being publicly identified as a good landlord
• distancing themselves from incompetent or unscrupulous landlords
• the business advantage of advertising their accredited status to tenants who place emphasis on good quality and well managed accommodation
• an improved relationship with housing benefit departments. It may be possible to make direct payments of housing benefit to accredited landlords
• information on housing management/advice and access to training and development opportunities e.g. Landlord forums
• Possible access to tenants through Housing Associations
• consultation on proposals that may affect landlords, such as changes to legislation or local housing strategies
• sign-posting to grants and loans to renovate properties to relevant standards set by the scheme.

Tenants will benefit from knowing that if they choose to rent from a member of the Accreditation Scheme, the property and the tenancy will be managed to a good standard.

Accreditation schemes provide a range of benefits to local communities. It is in everyone's interests if housing is well managed and kept in good condition. A successful Accreditation Scheme can help to increase the supply of good quality accommodation to benefit existing tenants and potential tenants who may not have considered renting privately in the past. It also helps to foster better landlord/tenant relationships and reduces the need for intervention by the Council and/or other managing organisations.

Schemes are usually run by local authorities. Other organisations e.g. the National Landlords Association (NLA) and Residential Landlords Association (RLA) also run accreditation schemes that will be acknowledged by Trafford Council. In some areas schemes are run by other organisations with an interest in housing provision. For example, universities may operate schemes in areas where there is a large student population.

The National Approved Letting Scheme is an accreditation scheme which is open to all letting agents and estate agents who manage residential accommodation. The scheme sets minimum service standards for agents and requires them to handle their clients' money safely. More information can be found on the NALS website.

Contact our Housing Improvements team on 0161 912 4025 or 0161 912 4576. They are ready to provide informal advice on accreditation and other housing issues including signposting to useful sources of information aimed at supporting landlords.

Other Landlords associations are available to join throughout the country and you can gain a wealth of help and advice by being a member. Landlords who are members of these bodies can be expected to be 'passported' (accepted) to Trafford Councils Accreditation Scheme.

• Residential Landlords Association
• North West Landlords Association
• National Landlords Association