More Support for Landlords – Better Renting Launches

Co-funded by TDS and Nationwide Foundation, a new project has launched in Greater Manchester, working in partnership with the Charter. Better Renting helps landlords navigate their responsibilities, improve compliance and contribute to better outcomes for renters.

Better Renting will work alongside the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter, providing practical support for landlords and helping us learn more about the challenges they face in meeting their responsibilities.

For landlords, this means extra practical information and support to help them understand what they need to do now. This sits alongside the Charter's support to commit to higher standards, prepare for changes in the sector and work towards recognition as a good landlord.

Supporting landlords through a changing rental sector

The private rented sector is changing significantly.

With almost 250,000 households renting privately across Greater Manchester, landlords and tenants alike will be affected by the changes taking place in the sector.

National research by the TDS Charitable Foundation found that 21% of landlords feel it is difficult to keep up with changes to the laws and regulations affecting their properties. Better Renting has been developed in response to this challenge.

Delivered by TDS, the project will work with landlords and partners across Greater Manchester to better understand the barriers landlords experience, develop practical resources and test new ways of helping landlords meet their responsibilities.

It includes a Landlord Hub giving landlords a single place to access information, alongside practical tools and initiatives designed to improve understanding of landlord responsibilities.

Better Renting and the Good Landlord Charter

Better Renting complements the work already taking place through the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter. The two initiatives have different but connected roles.

Better Renting focuses on helping landlords understand and meet their current legal responsibilities, using research, participation and practical support to understand where landlords need help and test what works.

The Good Landlord Charter provides a route for landlords who want to demonstrate their commitment to good practice, prepare for emerging requirements and work towards standards that go further than the legal minimum.

Together, this creates a clearer journey for landlords.

“Tangible change on the ground”

Kate Markey, Chief Executive Officer of the Nationwide Foundation, said:

“Better Renting [is] an important part of Nationwide Foundation's commitment to support landlords and improve standards for renters in Greater Manchester. The Renters' Rights Act is a seismic opportunity to transform our housing system for the better, so it is vital that we support people and places to turn that legislation into tangible change on the ground.”

Paul Dennett, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester and City Mayor of Salford, welcomed the programme and its place alongside the Good Landlord Charter:

“It supports Greater Manchester’s ambition to create a fairer, better and more accountable rental market by helping responsible landlords do the right thing, giving tenants greater confidence, and ensuring new rights translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.”

He added that, alongside the Good Landlord Charter and Greater Manchester's wider work, the programme represents another step towards a future where “every renter can expect a safe, secure and well-managed home, and where higher standards become the norm, not the exception.”

Practical support: Damp and Mould Guide

An important part of Better Renting will be turning research and landlord experience into practical support that landlords can use.

One of the first resources available is a Damp and Mould Guide, designed to help landlords understand the issue and take practical steps in their properties.

The Charter will continue to share any learnings and resources from Better Renting with Supporters and Members, but you can also sign up to their newsletter here.

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