Thank you for your interest in Eden District Council’s Landlord Accreditation Scheme (ELAS). Private sector landlords play an important role in providing housing within the district and many landlords provide high standards for their tenants.
The Landlord Accreditation Scheme aims to encourage high standards throughout the private rented sector, and to recognise good practices and responsible letting by landlords who are providing quality rented accommodation.
The scheme is voluntary and entirely free; however criteria for joining the scheme require that landlords and their properties meet a minimum code of standards, both for health and safety standards of occupation, and also of good letting practice.
Benefits to landlords
- A positive image and recognition as a better landlord providing a higher standard of accommodation.
- Reduced Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing costs.
- Opportunity to manage and influence the scheme through consultation and feedback.
- Access to landlord forums and training days.
- Periodic newsletters.
- Email legislative update bulletins.
- Access to secure area on this website.
- Free and positive publicity through inclusion on the Accredited Landlords List, promoted on this website and available to members of the public.
- Access to DIGS funding.
- Access to Accredited Landlord Grant.
- Accredited Landlord discount card.
- Use of scheme logo.
- Access onto student housing databases.
Benefits to tenants
- Assurance that properties meet and are maintained to high standards.
- Assurance that landlord has a commitment to the welfare of tenants.
- Access to database of Accredited Landlords.
Scheme Criteria: Minimum Standards
Property and Maintenance
- The property must be in a good condition structurally, with no Category 1 hazards under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System.
- Any Category 2 hazards to be dealt with in accordance with the timescale agreed by the Council.
- Properties must be kept in a good state of repair and routine maintenance undertaken. This includes maintenance of fire detection, alarm and fire fighting equipment and means of escape. Common parts of buildings must be kept clean and in good condition.
Gas
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Gas installations must be safe and comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Landlords will comply fully with their obligations under these regulations, including obtaining an annual safety check certificate from a registered Gas Safe contractor.
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A copy of this certificate will be provided to the Council on request, and a copy will be made available to tenants at the start of a new tenancy or to existing tenants after an annual check.
Electrical Safety
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The fixed electrical installation in each house will be in a safe condition, good working order, and adequate for the needs of the tenants.
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Electrical safety checks should be undertaken by a suitably qualified and competent electrician, and a periodic test certificate covering the whole installation, usually valid for a period of 5 to 10 years, should be obtained in accordance with BS7671. Landlords of homes in multiple occupation must obtain a certificate every 5 years.
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A copy of this certificate will be provided on request to the Council.
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All recommendations requiring urgent attention under Code 1 should receive attention immediately. All recommendations requiring improvement should be carried out as part of the routine maintenance of the property, within timescales agreed by the Council.
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A declaration on the safety of fixed electrical installations will be provided on request to the Council.
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All electrical appliances provided within the property must be in a safe condition. Yearly portable appliance testing (PAT) is an ideal way to help ensure this.
Furniture
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Furniture supplied with let accommodation will need to comply with the requirements of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended). The Regulations require furniture to pass various fire resistance and ignitability tests.
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New furniture bought since 1 March 1990 should already meet these standards, as should second hand furniture bought after 31 December 1996. All properties let after 1 March 1993 must comply with the Regulations.
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For more information regarding the requirements of these Regulations contact Cumbria County Council Trading Standards Department.
Scheme Criteria: Houses in Multiple Occupation
In addition to general scheme requirements, all houses in multiple occupation must comply with:
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Current fire safety requirements including adequate fire precautions, appropriate alarm and detection systems, and an adequate means of escape, as agreed by the Council.
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All requirements of associated management regulations, including those requiring maintenance of systems, upkeep and cleanliness.
In addition, licensable HMOs must comply with the licensing requirements and licence conditions, including:
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Any conditions imposing restrictions or prohibitions on the use or occupation of particular parts of the house.
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Conditions requiring facilities and equipment to be made available for the purpose of meeting prescribed amenity standards.
Scheme Criteria: Good Letting Practice
Before letting, each landlord will ensure:
Each property and landlord’s fixture and fittings are in a clean condition and good state of repair.
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In single occupancy dwellings of 2 storeys or less, provide and fix one smoke detector on each level in an appropriate location. For multi occupancy dwellings, or those of 3 storeys or more, further advice should be sought from the Council prior to letting.
At the beginning of each tenancy, the landlord will:
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Provide tenants with a comprehensive dated inventory. Both the landlord and tenants will need to sign and retain a copy.
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Provide the tenants with a legal written tenancy agreement.
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Any deposits taken to be in accordance with the Tenancy Deposit protection schemes. If the tenant has difficulty providing a deposit an application may be made to the Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DiGS).
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Provide the tenants with contact details for repairs including emergency repairs and including holiday cover or other times when the landlord is not available.
When a tenancy is terminated, the landlord will:
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Follow the correct legal process consistent with the tenancy agreement.
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Return any deposit in accordance with the Tenancy Deposit protection schemes, where appropriate.
Joining the Scheme
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Existing members are allowed to self-certify that each property complies in full and is maintained to appropriate minimum standards, however a random proportion of the properties will be inspected periodically at the discretion of the Council.
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New members will have a proportion of their properties checked at the discretion of the Council upon receipt of application.
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Where a landlord owns multiple properties, all details must be given.
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Existing members should notify the council of any material change which may affect membership. Members will also notify the council of any new properties for inclusion into the scheme.
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In the case of minor non-compliances with the scheme, provisional accreditation may be issued. When works are completed in accordance with a timescale agreed by the Council, full accreditation can be awarded.
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When scheme requirements are met, certificates of accreditation are issued which can be displayed in each property. You will also be entitled to apply for the benefits of the scheme, including free use of the scheme logo for advertising purposes.
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Accredited Landlord details including your name, a contact number and some basic property details will be held on a database in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. This information will be used to promote accredited properties via this website, and for periodic mailings from the Council. If you do not wish your details to be included on the public list or on Council mailings, you must contact the Council to opt out. Your details will not be passed to anyone else and you will not receive third party mailings.
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There is no maximum length of time for membership; however membership will be reviewed following random compliance checks or complaints from tenants.
Insurance
You should have adequate insurance cover for your property. We would advise you to keep records of all relevant policies held. We would also advise you to encourage your tenants to take out contents insurance, where appropriate.
Eligibility
At application, the Council may make checks on the following:
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Contraventions of landlord and tenant law.
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Contraventions of housing law including unresolved valid complaints or enforcement action.
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Any offences involving fraud or other dishonesty, violence or drugs, or any offence listed in Schedule 3 to the Sexual Offenders Act 2003 (c.42).
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Evidence of discrimination on the grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic or national origins or disability.
Landlords must have a clear enforcement record in the last two years to be eligible to join the scheme.
This information will only be used for the purpose of assessing the application and will not be disclosed in connection with any other matter except HMO licensing and will not be disclosed to a third party.
Refusal/Termination or Suspension of Membership
Where the Council decides to refuse, terminate or suspend membership the landlord will be notified in writing including why the decision was made.
Any landlord who is in disagreement with a decision may appeal within 28 days of being notified of the decision in writing. Appeals should be made in the first instance to the Director of Technical Services, Eden District Council, Mansion House, Penrith, CA11 7YG.
If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, you may make a further appeal by utilising the Council’s formal complaints procedure, details of which can be provided on request.
Applying
If you would like to apply to become an accredited landlord please complete and return the application form, along with any relevant certification.
If you have any queries about any aspect of the scheme please contact:
The Housing Team
Eden District Council
Mansion House
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7YG
Direct Dial: (01768) 212455
Facsimile: (01768) 890732
General
Nothing about or contained within this scheme affects any landlords or tenants statutory rights, or the power of the Council to take enforcement action under any relevant legislation.
All the standards in this document do not replace your legal obligations and all properties must comply with the appropriate statutory requirements.
The application is not decided on the ground of sex, marital status, disability, age, race, religion, colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origin.
