Greater Manchester unveils the UK’s first property checks for tenants

Greater Manchester is launching property checks to tackle substandard rented housing and to clampdown on criminal landlords.

The Property Check scheme is a UK first and part of a £600,000 package aimed at improving rented housing ‘so it works for people, not against them’.

The scheme, which could see Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service carrying out the checks, will help tenants concerned about their rented home’s condition.

If the property fails to meet the Decent Homes Standard, enforcement action will be taken against the landlord.

‘Everyone deserves a good, safe and secure home’

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Everyone across our city-region deserves a good, safe and secure home. It should be the starting point for a good life. It should not damage your health or be a source of concern and anxiety.

“Sadly, too many people in Greater Manchester still find themselves in those situations, trapped in poorly maintained properties and in fear of unlawful eviction.

“But the days of bad landlords renting out unsafe and unfit homes are coming to an end.”

He added: “This new right to a property check for all residents, backed up with new measures to protect renters and take action against rogue landlords, will empower people across Greater Manchester and put us on course to become the UK’s only Housing First city-region.”

Rented homes fall short of the Decent Homes Standard

At the scheme’s launch, Mr Burnham said nearly a quarter (56,000) of private rented homes fall short of the Decent Homes Standard – but this could be up to 40% due to fear of eviction preventing complaints from being made.

Issues like damp, broken electrics, and leaky roofs are common complaints for renters, the mayor says.

The Property Check scheme is aimed at landlords who will not work with local authorities voluntarily and help tenants who ‘feel trapped by their housing situation’.

The Good Landlord Charter will also be rolled out later this year to deliver accessible and clear standards for both social and private rented housing.

Greater Manchester will offer help to tenants

Mr Burnham also announced that when the Renters (Reform) Bill becomes law, then Greater Manchester will offer help to tenants with:

• Illegal evictions: The Bill introduces a new duty on local authorities to tackle unlawful evictions and harassment of tenants. Greater Manchester will invest £300,000 to create teams of housing law experts to deliver advocacy and support to renters.
• Using the benefits system to improve standards: When the Bill is made law, it will become illegal for landlords not to meet the Decent Homes Standard. Landlords receiving rent payments through housing benefits will be targeted to claim back housing benefit if they let substandard homes.