The mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has confirmed the new Good Landlord Charter is ready to launch.
Landlords and letting agents can now register their interest to participate in the Good Landlord Charter.
Those who register early will work with a new independent charter implementation unit to put the scheme into practice, developing the support offer for landlords and the approach to assessment.
The charter is a voluntary scheme for landlords of all types of rental properties, which will recognise and develop best practice, and provide a new standard for landlord excellence.
To tackle the crisis of poor housing, the Good Landlord Charter is based on seven core principles of good renting:
• Affordable — tenants should understand how their rent and other charges are set and should not be overcharged
• Safe and decent — tenants should be able to live free from physical or psychological discomfort in their home
• Responsive — landlords should respond satisfactorily to requests for repairs, correspondence and complaints
• Well managed — landlords or managing agents should be competent
• Inclusive — no tenant should have a worse experience because of who they are
• Private and secure — tenants should be free to enjoy their home and make it their own
• Supportive — tenants should have essential information and extra support if required
The charter has been drafted and developed with a coordinating group, which includes Greater Manchester Housing Providers, Greater Manchester Tenants Union, Greater Manchester Student Assembly, Manchester Student Homes, NRLA and Shelter.
Alongside it, Greater Manchester is also boosting enforcement capacity with a right to a property check for all renters, carried out local expert teams and followed up with action where necessary.
In addition, Burnham has also pledged to deliver 75,000 new homes over the course of the next parliament to support the national housing target.
“Our message to the new government is: Greater Manchester is ready to build. We have a comprehensive plan for new homes and growth, connected by an integrated transport system in the Bee Network,” said Burnham.
“But we know that new homes on their own won’t solve the housing crisis — without good, safe housing, people cannot achieve their potential, and places cannot deliver growth.
“That’s why the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter will put power back into the hands of renters, along with developing a new right to a property check, while supporting and recognising the landlords who go above and beyond.”
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner commented: “Regional mayors like Andy Burnham are central to our pledge to build 1.5 million homes over this parliament.
“We are working in lock step with them to boost growth in every part of this country, giving them new powers get homes built and deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.
“I’m completely behind Andy’s mission to build more affordable homes, and his support for renters.
“We will overhaul the PRS, giving millions of tenants more security in their homes.”
