MP Welcomes Landlords Scheme

Neil Gerrard, MP for Walthamstow, last week presented the first certificates awarded under the London Landlords Accreditation Scheme at an event in the House of Commons.

The scheme is London-wide, and is supported by all the London Boroughs, the main landlord associations, and several universities. It provides essential training for landlords in a bid to ensure that standards for tenants are maintained and improved.

“I was pleased to support the scheme” said Neil Gerrard. “If we can raise the knowledge and skills of landlords in the private sector this will be for the benefit both of their businesses and their tenants. Good landlords who are successful in going through the training course and obtaining accreditation will be given help to improve their premises, will pay reduced fees for licensing under the new Housing Act, and will have preferential treatment by the universities supporting the scheme in recommending students to them.”

“It will mean also that local Councils can concentrate their efforts in enforcement on those landlords who do not provide a good service, and who do not keep their properties up to standard. This should mean better support for tenants who currently have difficulty getting action taken against poor landlords.”

“Those landlords who have taken the first courses were all very positive about the knowledge and skills they have gained, which will help them to run a better business, and give their tenants a better deal. I would encourage anyone who is, or is thinking of becoming, a landlord, to attend the course and gain accreditation.”

The London Landlords Accreditation scheme can be contacted at LLAS, c/o Environmental Health Team, Town Hall Extension, Argyle Street, London WC1H 8EQ, or via their website at www.Londonlandlords.org.uk

March 2005

Home Page     |     News & Views     |     Press Archive