Doncaster Council

Private landlords can benefit from belonging to our local accreditation scheme

Doncaster Council recognises the important role of the private rented sector in providing accommodation for a diverse range of households. 

Doncaster Council is seeking to work with residential landlords and give them a stake in decisions that affect them. This is being done in a number of ways, for example, by offering landlords information that helps them to manage their properties better, by arranging meetings or forums where landlords can exchange views with local authority officers and, increasingly, by setting up voluntary accreditation schemes that recognise and reward landlords who manage their properties to a good standard. 

This information looks at the role of accreditation schemes for landlords, the benefits of joining one and where to find more information. 

What is accreditation?

A set of standards (or code) relating to the management or physical condition of privately rented accommodation. Landlords who join a scheme and abide by the standards are "accredited". Accreditation schemes are voluntary. There is no compulsion for landlords to join, but there may be many advantages.

If accreditation is voluntary why should I join?

There are a number of benefits offered by the accreditation scheme. All accredited landlords benefit from:

• the status of being publicly identified as a good landlord
• distancing themselves from incompetent or unscrupulous landlords
• the business advantage of advertising their accredited status to tenants who place emphasis on good quality and well managed accommodation    

What benefits are there for tenants?

Tenants can benefit from knowing that if they choose to rent from an accredited landlord, the property will be in good condition and the tenancy will be managed to a good standard. 

What benefits are there for local communities?

Accreditation schemes provide a range of benefits to the local community. It is in everyone's interests if housing is well managed and kept in good condition. A successful accreditation scheme can help to increase the supply of good quality accommodation, to the benefit to existing tenants and potential tenants who may not have considered renting privately in the past.

It also helps to foster better landlord/tenant relationships and reduces the need for intervention by council officers. 

Where can I find out more?

Contact us using the details found at the top of this web page for advice about accreditation schemes operating in the area. 

Alternatively, or for more general information about accreditation, contact the National Accreditation Network UK.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has published research and good practice guidance on landlord accreditation schemes.