Landlords can now sign up to Greater Manchester’s Good Landlord Charter

Greater Manchester has announced that it aims to build 75,000 new homes during the next parliamentary term and will improve the PRS with a ‘pioneering new deal’ for landlords and tenants.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says the council can meet the target with government help.

And the country’s first Good Landlord Charter has now been officially launched so landlords can sign up.

The council says this is a new approach to empowering renters, recognising best practice, and driving up standards in the private and social rented sectors.

‘Won’t solve the housing crisis’

Mr Burnham said: “We know that new homes on their own won’t solve the housing crisis. Without good, safe housing, people cannot achieve their potential and places cannot deliver growth.

“That’s why the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter will put power back into the hands of renters, along with developing a new right to a property check, while supporting and recognising the landlords who go above and beyond.”

The charter aims to set out clear standards to give confidence to tenants and support landlords to raise the quality of homes.

The council says that 56,000 of the city’s private rented homes do not to meet the legal Decent Homes Standard.

Good Landlord Charter

The Good Landlord Charter is based on seven core principles:

• Affordability: Tenants should understand rent and charges, avoiding overpricing
• Safety and decency: Psychological and physical comfort within homes is paramount
• Responsiveness: Landlords must address repair requests and complaints satisfactorily
• Effective management: Competence is key for landlords and managing agents
• Inclusivity: No tenant should suffer due to their identity
• Privacy and security: Tenants deserve a safe, personal space
• Support: Essential information and assistance should be readily available.

Landlords interested in signing up can do so and work with a new independent Charter Implementation Unit to put the charter into practice and developing the support for landlords.