Council urges landlords to join its Safer Renting scheme

A scheme that aims to improve the quality and safety of rented properties in Weymouth and Portland has been launched by Dorset Council.

The Safer Renting scheme offers landlords tailored advice and information on how to comply with various laws and regulations.

The scheme, which started last year, has already attracted 75% of the landlords who have been contacted by the council.

However, the council is still waiting for the remaining landlords to respond and join the scheme.

‘Helping landlords comply with their legal requirements’

The council’s portfolio holder for adult social care, health and housing, Coun Jane Somper, said: “This front-facing service is helping landlords comply with their legal requirements and improve standards and safety in rented properties.

“It also means we can target those properties which are rented, but where the landlord has not told us about the conditions and can act accordingly.”

She added: “I would appeal to landlords in Weymouth and Portland to complete the online form on our website if they haven’t already done so, to be sure they are complying with the law.”

Invited to join the Safer Renting scheme

Landlords who are invited to join the Safer Renting scheme will receive a letter from the council, asking them to fill out an online form on the council’s website.

The form requires them to verify that they have met some basic legal and safety requirements, such as having a valid Gas Safety certificate, an electrical condition report, and a smoke detector on each floor of the property.

Once the landlords have completed the form, the council will send them a confirmation email and a personalised advice on how to achieve full compliance.

The advice could range from a simple checklist of documents and certificates to more specific guidance based on the information provided by the landlords.

In some cases, the council and the landlord may agree that an inspection of the property is needed to address any issues.

Connects landlords to the council’s popular landlord forum

The Safer Renting scheme also connects landlords to the council’s popular landlord forum, Dorset Landlords, which organises regular meetings and updates landlords on the latest best practices and legal requirements.

The scheme is currently a pilot project in Weymouth and Portland, where there is a high demand for rented properties, but the council plans to expand it to other areas of Dorset in the future.

The council stresses this is a voluntary initiative that aims to work with landlords to help them comply with legislation.

Through initiatives like the Safer Renting scheme and the Dorset Landlords forum, the council says it is working proactively to raise standards and promote best practices in rented properties.