Nottingham City Council, in collaboration with Unipol Student Homes and DASH Services (Decent and Safe Homes), has introduced the Nottingham Rental Standard.
This initiative, born out of a continued commitment to enhancing local private rented sector standards, aims to streamline accreditation processes and empower prospective tenants to identify reputable landlords.
Landlords embracing the ‘standard’ gain access to a variety of benefits, including complimentary training, enhanced assistance, and information resources, along with reduced fees for the city’s private rented sector licensing schemes. To apply for accreditation, landlords can visit www.nottinghamrentalstandard.org.uk. The website not only serves as a resource hub for landlords but also allows tenants and partners to verify if a property is managed by an accredited landlord.
The new standard consolidates the existing DASH Landlord Accreditation and Unipol Student Homes schemes into a unified city-wide verification process. Existing Nottingham Standard accreditations seamlessly transfer to the revamped scheme, providing a cohesive approach to raising standards in the sector.
The launch of the Nottingham Rental Standard aligns with Nottingham City Council’s ongoing efforts to elevate standards in private rented accommodation and foster understanding between tenants and landlords. Along with upcoming private-rented sector licensing schemes – Selective Licensing (scheme two) which launched last week on December 1, 2023, and Additional Licensing (scheme three) launching on January 1, 2024—the accreditation scheme is poised to play a pivotal role in raising private rental standards.
Councillor Jay Hayes, expressed his support for the initiative, stating; “The ‘Nottingham Rental Standard’ elevates our work to create a safer and more reliable rental housing market in Nottingham. Bringing together the two previous accreditation schemes under one standard will make it easier for tenants to identify good landlords and easier for landlords to take part.
“Ultimately, we hope this will increase the uptake of the scheme and ensure more tenants have access to quality accommodation. We have a lot of good landlords in Nottingham, and there must be a mechanism through which tenants can identify them.”
Key Points at a Glance:
- The ‘Nottingham Rental Standard’ sets high standards for privately rented accommodation management and conditions.
- Complementing private rented sector licensing, it promotes excellence in all types of rented accommodation. All accredited landlords will qualify for reduced licensing fees for these schemes and receive license condition training included within the accreditation.
- Individual landlords, partnerships, or limited companies can achieve accreditation.
- Existing DASH Landlord Accreditation or Unipol Student Homes members are automatically included in the ‘Nottingham Rental Standard.’
- The Nottingham Rental Standard provides tenants confidence in quality accommodation and tenancy management through accreditation.
- Accredited landlords receive recognition and support from DASH Landlord Accreditation and Unipol Student Homes.
- A range of support packages are available from Nottingham City Council’s Nottingham Private Rented Assistance Scheme (NPRAS) for landlords who take citizens in housing need
- The scheme supports a priority of the recently launched Student Living Strategy; to improve the quality of student accommodation.