Bath & North East Somerset (Bathnes) Council has announced the re-launch of a scheme aimed at helping tenants find good quality rented accommodation.
Bathnes Council – together with a number of other local authorities across the West of England – has re-launched the “Rent with Confidence” voluntary scheme, which aims to protect tenants by setting out a benchmark for landlords and letting agents in the private rented sector.
Accredited members agree to act responsibly and meet realistic standards, enabling tenants to rent with confidence.
The scheme is run by Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils – and is also supported by Plymouth City Council.
The council said that, following a growth in the number or organisations applying to join the scheme, benchmark standards had been revised by representatives from landlord, agent and tenant groups.
The scheme now incorporates ethical letting principles and new incentives for accredited landlords, together with a new section on tenant responsibilities.
The council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, Councillor Bob Goodman, said:
“I am delighted and encouraged that more organisations are applying to join the Rent with Confidence scheme, which recognises good practice in the private rented sector.
“The scheme demonstrates the willingness of the council and landlord organisations to work together positively to raise standards across this fast growing sector.
“Tenants should be able to rent with confidence – and we hope this scheme will result in poor landlords and agents being pushed out of the market.”
Landlords and agents cannot join the scheme directly and must be members of an approved accreditation provider – seven organisations have so far been approved for membership of Rent with Confidence and their accredited agents and landlords will be able to use the scheme logo and marketing material.
The council says that other organisations can now apply to be accredited.
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