For immediate release

PR 244

5 September 2006

Great Yarmouth Borough Council is to launch a free accreditation scheme which will help private landlords meet Government guidelines and give them access to cash savings such as discounted insurance.

The voluntary scheme is to be launched at a consultation meeting on October 5 – when landlords from within the Borough will be given details. They will be asked to take away a draft document and then feed back their ideas to the Council over the next month.

“We want to bring housing in the Borough up to the Decent Homes Standard set out in the Housing Act 2004,” said Enabling Officer Tracey Slater. “This gives tenants a good standard of facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms, as well as looking at aspects such as security, hygiene and safety.

“The Council wants to give accreditation to the good landlords and help others towards the kind of standards that will add them to the list. Accredited landlords will display a logo which will help indicate to tenants that the standard of accommodation is good.

“Funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund has allowed us to appoint a Landlords Accreditation Officer Polly Williams who has put together a package of help and advice.

“It includes access to discounted goods and services (including insurance), preferential access to repair grants and renewal schemes, discounted training on topical issues, and a landlord’s forum to encourage consultation and discussion.

“There will also be the opportunity for landlords, once accredited, to advertise on the Council’s Homeselect website giving access to hundreds of people seeking accommodation. We are also considering providing a contact list of potential clients for landlords to contact.

“An information pack will be available which will include documents to help draw up legal agreements with tenants.

“The Private Landlords Accreditation Scheme helps the Council to be aware of where the best accommodation is, and helps the landlords with a range of incentives including the opportunity to display the logo.”

The inaugural meeting of the Private Landlords Accreditation Scheme will be held at 6.30 pm on October 5, at the Hazel Hurst Hotel, 9 Norfolk Square, Great Yarmouth. To reserve a place call Landlords Accreditation Officer Polly Williams on 01493 846268.

For further information call Enabling Officer Tracey Slater on 01493 846268.

Issued by:
Liz Dann
Press Officer
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
01493 846513