Propertymark has come out in support of a programme to beef up private rental sector enforcement in Greater Manchester.

The Labour Mayor for the area, Andy Burnham, has introduce 13 new housing enforcement apprentices to – in the Mayor’s words – “empower renters.” 

New enforcement apprentices, consisting of one in each area that makes up the combined authority, will join the ranks of local teams already investigating housing standards. 

They are part of Burnham’s so-called Good Landlord Charter, which aims to be fully functional from May 2025.   

Tim Thomas, policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, says:  “We welcome the commitment from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in investing in apprenticeships for housing enforcement officers. At a time when local authorities’ resources are in scarce supply against demanding pressures, this investment will ensure that the Combined Authority can more effectively tackle rouge landlords and support many compliant landlords across the area.  

“Propertymark has long called for wide ranging investment in better local authority oversight, and this action will help end the postcode lottery in enforcement to raise standards overall.  We would encourage other combined authorities to take a similar approach, and for other local authorities to collaborate with neighbouring local councils to pool resources and share best practice with compliant landlords and agents.”