Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham today launched an eight-week consultation period for the city region’s Good Landlord Charter.
The charter is a key facet of Burnham’s new “housing-first” approach and seeks to provide tenants and landlords across the area with the chance to raise basic property standards.
During today’s announcement, it was revealed the consultation period will be open until 26 February with the aim of it being put in action by the summer.
Burnham said: “I’m clear that driving up the quality of rented housing is one of my key priorities.
“We know your home has a huge impact on so many aspects of life, from your physical and mental health, to your safety and security.
“Today, I’m calling on all renters and landlords in Greater Manchester to get involved in this consultation.
“I believe this charter will be good for tenants who currently have no way of knowing whether a landlord is decent or not; and good for the many landlords doing the right thing and struggling to differentiate themselves from the disreputable end of the market.”
As it stands, the charter will be a voluntary scheme for landlords and its demands are higher than current legal requirements in relevant properties.
The scheme, which will follow a similar format to the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, was catalysed by the death of Rochdale-based two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020 due to a respiratory condition caused by mould.
Initial discussions for the creation of the charter have been between several key stakeholders, including the Greater Manchester Tenants Union, the Greater Manchester Housing Providers, and the National Residential Landlords Association, among others.
Over three quarters of tenants in the area believe accreditation would make a difference to their likelihood of renting from a particular landlord, according to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Alongside the charter, tenants living in properties where the landlord does not engage with the scheme or local authorities will be empowered with the right to request a formal property check.
Around £3.5 million will be invested to empower a “multi-disciplinary” inspection and enforcement capability to carry out such checks.
GMTU Rochdale branch chair Mark Slater added: “We are pleased that Andy Burnham and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority are committed to improving enforcement action across the region which is desperately needed.
“We need to get serious about tackling the housing crisis, and ensuring tenants can live in decent, safe secure homes they can afford, and are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of who their landlord is, and what type of home they live in.”
Government data revealed over 17 percent of homes in Greater Manchester did not meet the current Decent Homes Standard in 2019 and approximately 15 percent of homes in the private rented sector had a serious health and safety hazard present.
It is currently unknown whether there will be any financial cost to signing up for the scheme.
To respond to the consultation online or download a copy of the consultation document (including in Easy Read format), visit www.gmconsult.org
Featured image: Oliver Jervis
