New landlord accreditation scheme unveiled in Wales
A Wales-wide scheme has been launched by Deputy Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies to provide advice and support to residential landlords in order for them to provide good, well managed accommodation.
The Landlord Accreditation Wales Scheme sees the landlord receives the accreditation, not the property. It aims to make it easier for landlords with single or smaller property portfolios to keep up with changing legislative and administrative requirements.
To become accredited a landlord will need to attend a one day development course; agree to follow a code of conduct; and be a fit and proper person.
The scheme is a joint initiative between the Private Sector Housing/Environmental Health Services from each of the 22 Local Authorities in Wales, and is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and other key professional Bodies.
The Deputy Minister for Housing believes it will reduce disputes on property condition and tenancy issues leaving councils more resources to deal with the landlords whose properties and management practices will not improve without intervention.
Mould and rising damp discovered by council inspectors in kitchen
A residential landlord whose property had mould and rising damp in the kitchen, no heating, poor insulation and a host of security concerns has been fined £3,000.
Orian Kramer, formerly of Kings Road, Prestwich, failed to comply with an improvement notice served by Bolton council in February.
The council’s housing and public health department had received a complaint from a tenant in Tonge Moor, Bolton, claiming the property was in serious disrepair.
Inspectors visited the home and discovered the problems.
Kramer was ordered to make necessary repairs but the landlord failed to complete the work and the council carried it out two months later.
The case was dealt with in Kramer’s absence at Bolton Magistrates’ Court where, in addition to the fine, he was ordered to pay council costs of £535 and a victim surcharge of £15.
