The Requirements for Landlord Accreditation are to:
- Attend at least 4 BRLA general meetings each year to maintain continued professional development
- Conduct their rental business in a professional, courteous and business-like manner and in accordance with the BRLA Code of Practice
- Ensure that premises meet all legal requirements and standards for rental properties
- Use a written Tenancy Agreement, with both landlord and tenant receiving copies. (Not required for pre-existing tenancies where none exists)
- To comply with all deposit scheme legal requirements where a deposit is taken, and return the deposit in full at the end of the tenancy, or provide written reasons why any part of the deposit has not been returned *
- Provide a copy of the landlords’ dispute procedure
- Obtain and check references and keep copies
- Provide a written receipt for cash payments
- Provide user instructions, where possible, for equipment provided
- Provide a current gas safety certificate (to be renewed annually) **
- Provide a current electrical safety certificate (to be renewed every 5 years)
- Provide a current Energy Performance Certificate within the legal range
- Provide a contents list / inventory – 2 copies, both to be signed and dated by both parties (Not required for preexisting tenancies where none exists) *
- Provide Landlord contact details *
- Provide gas, electricity and water shut off point details *
- Provide gas, electricity and water supplier details *
- Complete an annual Housing Health and Safety Rating System safety check *
- Provide smoke alarms in the circulation area of each floor (hard wired or battery operated)
- Provide a carbon monoxide alarm for each room where there is a gas appliance or open fire
- Ensure that the property is kept in a good condition and carry out emergency repairs, if possible, within 24 hours
- Carry out repairs in a timely manner and in consultation with the tenant
- Actively manage anti-social behaviour involving a landlord's own tenants and premises and assist statutory authorities with any inquiries
- Provide references for exiting or past tenants if requested
- Register with the Information Commissioner's Office, if you hold any tenant data, using the following link: ico.org.uk
Declare that the landlord and their business associates are 'fit and proper persons' as described below
Forms provided for this purpose – see website Forms and Downloads (members only)
To conform to the Gas Safe Approved Code of Practice landlords are advised that all properties should be re-checked between tenancies, even if there is a valid gas safety certificate in force.
Declare that the landlord or any person associated with the landlord has no unspent convictions that are relevant to renting of properties including:
- Any offence involving fraud or other dishonesty, or violence or drugs or any offence listed in Schedule 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
- Any unlawful discrimination on grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic or national origins, or disability in, or in connection with, the carrying out of any business.
- Contravention of any provision of the law relating to housing or landlord and tenant law (including any civil proceedings that were lost).
- Declare that during the last 5 years neither the landlord, nor any person associated with the Landlords Business, have:
- Been in control of any property subject to a court order under Section 379 of the Housing Act 1985.
- Been refused a licence or had a licence removed for any property in relation to HMO, additional or selective licensing under the Housing Act 2004.
- Been found to breach a condition on a licence for any property in relation to HMO, additional or selective licensing under the Housing Act 2004.
- Been found by a Local Authority to have acted otherwise than in accordance with any Code of Practice approved under section 233 of the Housing Act 2004.
- Been in control of a property that has been subject to any proceedings by a Local Authority (such as breaches of the Environmental Protection Act, planning control of compulsory purchase proceedings).
- Been in control of any property on which the Local Authority has carried out work in default or.
- Been in control of any property which has been subject to an interim or final management order or a special interim management order under the Housing Act 2004.
- I hereby apply for membership of the BRLA ‘Best Landlord’ Accreditation Scheme
- I have read, and agree to abide, by the BRLA Code of Practice and ‘Requirements for Landlord Accreditation’ and understand my responsibilities and obligations. I confirm that I am a fit and proper person as stated.
- I understand that if I breach the responsibilities and obligations of the scheme, my BRLA ‘Best Landlord’ Accreditation membership will be terminated for a period of 2 years.