A new programme will develop practical tools to improve landlord compliance across Greater Manchester, where almost 250,000 households rent privately. The Better Renting project launches today, with the stated aim of benefiting renters and landlords alike.
Research for the TDS Charitable Foundation found that difficulty keeping up with policy and regulatory changes is a key reason landlords in the region struggle to meet their obligations. Nationally, 21% of landlords say it is hard to keep up with changes to the laws and regulations affecting their rental properties. MPs on the cross-party Housing Select Committee have also highlighted the need to address unintentional non-compliance by landlords.
Better Renting has three strands:
- a new website giving Greater Manchester landlords a single point of reference to stay compliant
- initiatives the programme will develop and test to improve understanding of landlord responsibilities, including licensing requirements
- resources to help councils and other stakeholders work and communicate effectively with landlords
The resources will support implementation of the Renters' Rights Act and help tenants benefit from more consistent landlord compliance.
The launch coincides with government reforms to the sector, which include ending no fault repossessions, creating a private rented sector database and ombudsman, and introducing new energy efficiency standards for rented housing.
The Dispute Service Group (TDS Group) and the Nationwide Foundation are leading the project. It follows the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter, which identified a need for steps to improve compliance rates among landlords.
"The vast majority of landlords want to do what is right for their tenants and remain compliant with all their obligations," said Dr Jennifer Harris, head of policy, research and social impact at The Dispute Service Group. "However, our research shows that fragmented channels of communication and difficulties accessing official resources are making this harder than it should.
"Working with partners across the region, Better Renting will develop the resources needed to ensure landlords across Greater Manchester have what they need, when they need it, to meet their obligations at a pivotal moment for the sector."
"Better Renting an important part of Nationwide Foundation's commitment to support landlords and improve standards for renters in Greater Manchester," noted Kate Markey, chief executive of The Nationwide Foundation.
"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."
"For too long, too many renters have faced poor housing conditions, insecurity and a system that can be difficult to navigate, while landlords have been expected to keep pace with an increasingly complex set of rules and responsibilities," said Paul Dennett, deputy mayor of Greater Manchester and city mayor of Salford.
"With almost 250,000 households in Greater Manchester renting privately, we shouldn't accept a situation where the quality of someone's home depends on luck. The Renters' Rights Act is the biggest opportunity in a generation to reset the relationship between landlords and tenants, strengthen protections and raise standards across the sector, but those reforms must be matched by practical support if they are to deliver real change for communities.
He added, "That is why I strongly welcome the Better Renting programme. 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.
"Alongside our Good Landlord Charter, investment in enforcement and our wider Housing First ambitions, this programme is 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."
