Yet another ‘rental standard’ has been set up a a local council to create what it calls ‘a kitemark’ which can be used by tenants - and with the promise of yet more accreditation to come.
The new West of England Rental Standard has been created by Bristol city council but will stretch across four nearby local authorities in the region. It is a voluntary scheme sets out a minimum standard that letting agents and landlords in the city’s private rented sector should reach.
Bristol council says it wants to “provide a single badge of accreditation across the West of England”.
The press release announcing the standard does not specify what an agent or landlord has to do to meet it, and when Letting Agent Today spoke with the council on Friday afternoon it was unable to provide details.
However, this new so-far undefined ‘standard’ is just the start of things to come.
The authority says it is seeking to move to a more ambitious graded system following a review within 12 months and council officers are “in dialogue with tenants’ rights group ACORN about their Ethical Lettings Charter” according to a statement.
New recommendations are expected to go before the council in October.
ACORN has been a controversial group, organising small but well-publicised lobbying of individual letting agency offices.
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With rights come responsibilities.
Let's hope that the Council doesn't forget to mention to tenants that they have responsibilities too - pay the rent on time, take care of the property & get on with their neighbours (anti-social behaviour). Just a thought !
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