Issue - items at meetings - Letting Agents Accreditation Scheme

Report of Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

(1)       That the creation and launch of the Letting Agents Accreditation Scheme be approved.

(2)       That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, Place to confirm the accredited status of Lettings Agents, upon achievement of the criteria for accreditation.

86.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic Director Place which sought a general authority for the Strategic Director to develop and launch a Letting Agent’s Accreditation scheme in the city in partnership with local letting agents which would seek to recognise and reward letting agents who consistently offered a high standard of service to their tenants.    

86.2    Councillor Peltzer Dunn asked how officers could ensure that letting agents submitted to the council’s ethics.  The Acquisitions & Accreditation Manager explained that a Private Sector Development Officer would seek reconciliation.  The agreement to allow tenants surveys could not be carried out without the tenant’s permission.     

86.3    Councillor Peltzer Dunn referred to the section on Managing Repairs.  He was worried that some of these standards were extremely stringent.  He asked how they would be monitored. The Acquisitions & Accreditation Manager explained that the standard for repairs had been agreed by agents.  The standards would be monitored by feedback.  A great deal would be done on landlord trust.  

86.4         Councillor Peltzer Dunn referred to the section on the tenancy agreement fee.  He asked if this there would be a written document.  The Acquisitions & Accreditation Manager explained that all fees should be transparent in marketing.  Councillor Peltzer Dunn stated that marketing should be printed.  

86.5          The Acquisitions & Accreditation Manager explained that any fees would be stated in writing.  The holding fee was slightly different from a deposit.  It was a down payment.  

86.6    The Chair stated that the local accreditation scheme would be very reassuring to parents of students coming to the city. 

86.7    RESOLVED – Having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member made the following decisions

(1)       That the creation and launch of the Letting Agents Accreditation Scheme be approved.

(2)       That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, Place to confirm the accredited status of Lettings Agents, upon achievement of the criteria for accreditation.