Initiatives

Private Rented Sector Accreditation Scheme

As a Housing Authority, Warrington Borough Council has a responsbility to improve housing conditions throughout all tenures within the borough.  The Council has undertaken a number of initiatives to support a healthy private rented sector, including the promotion of the Landlord Forum, the HMO Registration Scheme and the Property Accreditation Scheme for the Private Rented Sector.

This scheme was developed in conjunction with members of the Landlord Forum and, depending on the condition of the premises and the facilities provided, properties can be registered as 1 star, 2 star or 3 star.

Landlords owning properties that have been renovated by a Renovation Grant over the last 3 years are suitable for registration as they have been improved to a good standard.

The scheme accredits individual properties and not the landlord and therefore an individual application needs to be made for each property.  There is no charge for accreditation.

Basic requirements for all accredited properties

• Good repair and reasonable decorative order
• Compliance with the Furniture and Furnishings Regulations
• Current gas safety certificate where appropriate
• Integrity of electrical circuits, and equipment, checked where appropriate
• Well managed     

Requirements for 1* accredited properties

• Good decorative order
• Reasonable kitchen facilities 
• Consideration will be given to offering this status to all landlords who have been in receipt of a Renovation Grant on a property within the last three years     

Requirements for 2* accredited properties

• An adequate and well maintained central heating system, or satisfactory alternative
• Excellent decorative order
• Good kitchen facilities     

Requirements for 3* accredited properties

• Satisfies basic requirements for 2* properties
• An adequate and well maintained, efficient central heating system [Boiler to be less than 15 years old]
• Where provided; good quality, clean and well maintaned carpets, soft furnishings and furniture
• Effective Energy Efficiency measures installed within the property
• Safety initiatives, such as 5 lever mortice locks, door chains (not in shared houses) and door viewers to main entrance doors (which must be of reasonably substantial construction), window locks and security lighting in appropriate circumstances
• Fire fighting equipment in shared houses, such as fire blanket / extinguishers in kitchens     

The Council will inspect the property and if satisfied with the standards will issue a certificate of accreditation at the appropriate star level which is valid for 12 months.  An Energy Audit of the property will also be carried out and a SAP certificate issued.

The advantage for landlords is they can inform prospective tenants that the property complies with a set of standards relating to good repair and decorative order, management, safety of gas and electrical appliances and furniture and fittings together with the provision of central heating, energy efficiency and safety measures (the latter in 2** and 3*** properties only).

Click here to download and complete an application.

Last updated 02/02/2010 10:07:47

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