Council launches quality award for letting agents

Private tenants may soon have an easy way to judge letting agents that help them find a new home thanks to a new scheme to be launched by Rochdale Council.

Letting agents who join the council scheme will have to meet stringent standards for the way they treat their customers. They will also be able to display a 'badge of accreditation' so tenants can be confident that they will get a fair deal.

The idea of an 'Accredited Letting Agent Scheme' is the brainchild of the council's Strategic Housing Service and on 27 March the first five letting agents in the borough to meet the scheme standards for management and customer care will be presented with their accreditation certificates.

Rochdale Council's cabinet member for housing, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali said: "This is a great scheme for private tenants, landlords and letting agents in the borough. By setting clear guidelines on what we expect from letting agents we can ensure that both tenants and landlords are treated fairly.

"We're hoping tenants and landlords will look for the badge of accreditation when choosing letting agents and know they are in safe hands. We have set high standards to meet accreditation and I am delighted that we already have a number of letting agents interested in becoming accredited."

The council will also launch an 'Accredited Tenant Scheme' on the 27 March. This will make it easier for tenants who find it difficult to provide references to find accommodation with accredited landlords.

Landlords who want to find out more about the Accredited Letting Agent Scheme or the Accredited Tenant Scheme should come along to the launch event at the Landlord Forum on the 27 March at Rochdale FC, starting at 6.30pm. For more information or to book a place, please contact the Landlord Accreditation Scheme on 01706 926623.

Date article online: 19/03/2008