Milton Keynes Council to ask landlords to improve standards

Local landlords in Milton Keynes’ rental sector will be asked to join an accreditation scheme to improve standards and deliver better homes for tenants.

The Council has teamed up with the National Landlords Resident Association (NRLA) on the scheme, which offers landlords a year of free membership to the organisation, as well as training and access to low-cost products to protect deposits.

The NRLA has over 90,000 members, representing the interest of private rental landlords and providing support, advice and access to resources to be a better landlord.

Cabinet is due to consider the proposals on 14 December, hosting an event for private landlords early next year to introduce the new scheme if approved.

Council Leader, Cllr Pete Marland, said: ‘It’s important landlords understand their duties. We want everyone to be able to live in safe and warm homes which are well maintained in line with national regulations. Our accreditation scheme will give landlords guidance and assurance that they’re complying with the right standards so they can provide a better home for their tenants.’

Milton Keynes recently launched a similar scheme, where landlords can qualify for a cash incentive from the Council to offer a family home for a longer period, which aims to help reduce the number of people in temporary accommodation in the city.

The scheme also offers landlords additional benefits such as rent in advance, deposits, property inspections, and support.

In related news, new guidance is set to be introduced for developers to make sure buildings in Milton Keynes are more sustainable.

While the local standards are already in place, not every developer includes them in their planning proposals, so the new clearer guidance will allow developers to better understand the Council’s sustainability standards.

Photo by Ethan Wilkinson