East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s private sector housing team is launching a new initiative aimed at raising the standard of private rented accommodation by recognising good practice and rewarding responsible letting by landlords.

Accredited Homes and Accredited Homes of Excellence have been developed in partnership with private landlords and letting agents across the East Riding.

Landlords who successfully apply for accreditation will receive a package of benefits, including access to a free advice hotline and a ‘shop and save’ scheme that entitles them to discounts from certain retailers; a membership certificate; and the right to use the accreditation scheme logo on their letterheads and publicity material. The scheme will also benefit tenants by giving them peace of mind about the standard of accommodation that they are renting.

To become an Accredited Home, a property must meet a basic level of repair, maintenance and management, whilst Accredited Homes of Excellence are expected to provide a much higher standard of accommodation, with better fittings and fixtures. Membership is free, optional and lasts for five years.

Accredited Homes and Accredited Homes of Excellence will be launched at two events that have been organised to enable landlords and letting agents to find out more. The first will take place at Bridlington Spa on Monday, 21 June and the second at Goole Leisure Centre on Tuesday, 29 June. Both events will be held between 6pm and 8.30pm.

There will be a number of information stands for landlords to look around before the formal part of the event begins. Those who attend will also be able to take part in two workshops – one entitled ‘The right way to inspect’ and another entitled ‘Establishing and maintaining a healthy tenancy.’

Sarah Horner, landlord liaison officer, said: “We’ve been working closely with landlords and letting agents to develop the accreditation schemes as part of our commitment to raising the standard of private sector housing. It’s very much about rewarding and promoting those landlords who maintain their properties to a high standard and let them responsibly. It will also help to build confidence in private rented accommodation among new and existing tenants.

“We hope that as many of our local landlords and letting agents as possible will come along to one of the launch events to find out more about the benefits of their property becoming an Accredited Home or an Accredited Home of Excellence.”

Any landlords or letting agents who’d like to book a place at the event should call 01482 396301 or email private.sector.housing@eastriding.gov.uk