Private landlords with properties in north and central Staffordshire are being urged to take advantage of a free information event.
Tuesday 18 September is the date for the session, being staged by the area’s Landlord Accreditation Scheme.
Open to members and non-members of the scheme, the event will start at 6pm in Stoke Town Hall with an hour’s networking and a chance to visit several stalls offering advice and information about landlord and property-related issues.
From 7pm there will be short updates and presentations about the accreditation scheme and North Staffordshire Landlords’ Association, welfare reform and the implications for landlords and tenants, and on the work being done by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to bring empty homes back into use.
Councillor Janine Bridges, whose city council cabinet responsibilities include housing, said: “These events are a great way for landlords in the private sector to get together and get up-to-date information on issues affecting them, their tenants and their properties.
“I’d encourage landlords with properties in north and central Staffordshire to come along. If they’re not already members, it’s the perfect opportunity to find out more about the Landlord Accreditation Scheme which has more than 400 members.”
People living in more than 2,200 privately-rented properties already take peace of mind from knowing that their landlords belong to the scheme - a joint initiative between Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the boroughs of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stafford, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and North Staffordshire Landlords’ Association.
It aims to improve the quality of homes being let, and boost members’ property-management skills. In return for the two-year, £60 membership fee, members benefit from:
- a certificate to promote and provide proof of membership and the scheme’s recognition that a landlord provides a good standard of accommodation
- free promotion of their vacant properties on the scheme’s website: www.landlordaccreditation.co.uk
- half-day landlord development event covering issues such as tenancy management, housing standards and dealing with anti-social behaviour
- co-operation, support and advice from the scheme operators on all aspects of private renting
- access to discounts from local participating companies
- periodic inspections of properties registered with the scheme, including advice on standards, to ensure they meet scheme requirements
- a service linking members with the owners of empty properties to buy and bring them back into use
- quarterly newsletter
The 18 September event will take place in the Windsor Room in Stoke Town Hall, accessed via the Glebe Street entrance.
More details are available from Erica Deaville, the accreditation scheme’s co-ordinator, tel 01782 232271 or e-mail mail@landlordaccreditation.co.uk