Landlords FAQ

If you're a landlord and would like more information please email tusuaccreditation@tees-su.org.uk

Q. Why does the Students' Union accredit landlords?

A. The Students' Union is committed to working with private accommodation providers to ensure the best possible standards of housing are available to all students studying at Teesside University. As there is currently no accreditation body operating in the Teesside area we have worked over the last year to develop our own standard which local landlords and letting agents have been invited to apply to be a part of.

Q. How does it all work?

A. Once an accommodation provider has applied to be part of the scheme, we ask to see a copy of their tenancy agreement, and evidence that they are a member of a reputable deposit scheme. We will at this point liaise with a landlord if any changes are required. Once we are happy with the tenancy we would randomly select some properties from their portfolio we would like to view. As well as viewing the properties we would need to see all current safety certificates associated with them.

Q. If a landlord or letting agency is accredited by you, does it mean you have seen all their properties?

A. No. We view a minimum of 10% of the properties out of the portfolio provided. If you wish to know exactly which properties we have seen you can contact us through tusuaccreditation@tees-su.org.uk. Please note we will only give this information out if it comes from a Teesside University student email account.

Q Once a landlord or letting agency is on your scheme are they on it forever?

A. No. The will have to re-apply every year and go through exactly the same process.

Q. What if I have a problem with a landlord in your accreditation scheme.

A. If you have any problems with a landlord we would advise you make an appointment with one of our Student Support Advisers at SU Student Support (SUSS). The fact that we have worked with these landlords means that we have good working relationships with them. Being part of the scheme means that they have to adhere to an agreement made with the Students' Union. If a landlord is in breach of their agreement this may result in their withdrawal from the scheme.

Q. What do the landlords get from being accredited?

A. Only landlords that are accredited through the scheme can work with the Students' Union. This includes attending the housing fayre, advertising, appearing on house match, and sponsoring our clubs and societies. Basically, if you see them anywhere around the SU or on official SU material you can be sure that they are a member of our accreditation scheme.

Q. Are some of the accredited landlords better than others?

A. We are not in a position to say! However, we can say with certainty that they have all met the standard that we laid out within our accreditation scheme.

Q What is the standard that you are asking them to adhere to?

A. If you would like a copy of the TUSU accreditation scheme standards please email: tusuaccreditation@tees-su.org.uk

Information for Landlords

SECTION 1 - Introduction and aims of the scheme

The TUSU Landlord Accreditation Scheme is focused on ensuring that students have access to the best possible range of private accommodation.

We will maintain a list of recommended landlords and letting agents and these are asked to adhere to minimum standards and regulations.

Aims of the scheme are to:

• Work in partnership with private accommodation providers
• Encourage, acknowledge, raise awareness of and actively promote good standards and management practices in student accommodation
• Support landlords to increase the amount of good quality student accommodation in the area
• Enable students to obtain information about, and have access to, the best possible accommodation

What's in it for you?

• Teesside University Students' Union (TUSU) maintains a list of landlords and letting agents which we would recommend to students. This opens up access to a wide range of exclusive and unrivalled advertising and sponsorship opportunities with TUSU. Our packages are designed to suit a range of budgets and includes digital/ web advertising, event sponsorship, exhibition space in the SU Building and the opportunity to sponsor some of our highest profile clubs and societies. View the 2018/19 landlords and letting agents rate card at tees-su.org.uk/advertise (opportunities would commence from September 2019 onwards) or ask a member of SU Student Support (SUSS) staff to supply it once you have completed the accreditation process and have their approval.
• It also gives you support in managing any issues that arise when students approach us with any issues or concerns; SU Student Support (SUSS) staff will work with you, advising both parties on their commitments as agreed in the tenancy agreement and possible remedies.

SECTION 2 - The Standard

Landlords must provide their tenants with the following:

• Tenants must be provided with a clear written tenancy agreement and written inventory at the start of a new tenancy. Model forms are available fromhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/model-agreement-for-a-shorthold-assured-tenancy
• A copy of 'How to Rent' which is a checklist for renting in England. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/723773/How_to_Rent_Jul18.pdf
• A Gas Safety Certificate. It is a legal requirement to provide one on an annual basis if there is a gas installation. https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/
• If a deposit is required you must comply with the tenancy deposit provisions. https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/overview
• An energy performance certificate. https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates
• Electrical Safety Report. This is a requirement for landlords wishing to join our scheme and work must be carried out by an electrician registered with a government approved body. http://www.niceic.com/
• A copy of the HMO license if applicable. For guidelines on what type of property is classed as HMO see the link https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/planning-and-housing/housing-options-and-advice/houses-multiple-occupation-hmos

You will sign a document to confirm that you provide all tenants with the above information and we will ask to see a random sample. Any breach could lead to removal from the scheme.

Landlords must also ensure that their properties provide a safe and healthy environment for any potential occupier or visitor.

Heating

• The property should have central heating with instructions on the boiler and details of who to contact if there is a problem with the heating.

Security

• As a Landlord, you are responsible for maintaining all of the safety aspects of the accommodation. The property must have secure locks on all external doors and all windows must open and shut securely.
• An alarm system is recommended.

Fire Safety

• Smoke detectors must be fitted on each floor
• Ensure there is access to escape routes
• A self-closing fire door with intumescent strips and cold smoke seals to be fitted on all kitchens regardless of the type of property
• A fire blanket should be provided in kitchens
• Make sure any furniture and furnishings supplied comply with http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1988/1324/contents/made
• Provide fire alarms, extinguishers and all other relevant fire safety precautions if the property is a large house in multiple occupation (HMO)

Decoration

• All properties should be of a clean and presentable appearance with no excessive wear and tear of flooring and the décor must be clean and free from defects
• In addition, the following must be observed: Landlords must respond to any reported repairs in a timely and professional manner as suggested below:

Level of Issue	Examples	Issue Addressed	Initial Progress Report	Follow up until complete
Major issues	Boiler problems and leaks, issues with water and gas, any electrical safety issues, broken windows, cooker and toilet not working. Additionally, any issue which compromises the security and safety of the students and the property.	Within 24 hours	Within 24 hours	Daily until resolved
Infestations		Within 5 days	Within 5 days	Every 2-3 days until resolved
Mid	Household appliances not working	Within 5 days	Within 48 hours	Every 5 days until rectified
Minor	Problems with wardrobes, drawers and other furniture	Within 14 days	Within 7 days	Every 5 days until rectified

• Landlords must give at least 24 hours written notice for access in all cases except where access is required in an emergency.
• Landlords must provide their contact details to tenants including out of hours emergency details.
• Landlords must always act in a fair, reasonable and professional manner in their dealings with tenants and must not discriminate because of colour, ethnicity, disability, age, gender, religion or sexuality as per the TUSU equal opportunities policy.

SECTION 3: How the scheme works

As outlined in the introduction and aims we are committed to working with you to ensure that this is a straightforward process that you are fully prepared for before we embark on the visit stage of the scheme.

The scheme will run from 1st September 2019 - 31st July 2020 allowing for accommodation providers to be accredited and ready for the start of the academic year.

This will also give you plenty of time to discuss advertising and marketing packages with our sales team.

There will be no opportunity to join the scheme on a mid-year basis.

• If you are interested in being part of the scheme, you will first complete the registration form giving us some information about your organisation and properties.
• The completed form will be returned to us at TUSUaccreditation@tees-su.org.uk along with your property portfolio list and a copy of your current tenancy agreement. We will contact you within 14 days of receipt of these documents to arrange an initial meeting.
• At this meeting we will look at the standard to see if you have any questions and at this stage we will ask you to sign a declaration form stating that you meet the minimum requirements as outlined.
• From here we will arrange to view a minimum of 10% of your properties as chosen at random by us. This assessment will include seeing all appropriate documentation as outlined in the standard. This documentation must be provided prior to the visit.
• If any remedial work is required we will feed this information back to you to rectify and arrange a follow-up visit.
• Remedial works to be completed within 28 calendar days of the original visit. Please note, we will only visit a property twice. If a third visit is required there will be a further charge of £50 per property. If remedial work is still required after the third visit you will have been unsuccessful in gaining accreditation.
• Following successful completion of the visits you will be presented with a TUSU Landlord Accreditation Scheme certificate and added to our list of recommended landlords.
• Your details will then be passed to our Sales team who can discuss our range of advertising packages with you.

The pricing structure is solely to go through our accreditation process and be listed on our website as a recommended landlord. You should expect to pay additional fees for further advertising and promotion.

You will be provided with a price within 5 days of your application.

SECTION 4: Timings

In order to be successful in gaining accreditation, the timings outlined below MUST be adhered to:

Applications

Applications to the 2018/19 scheme will open on Monday 18th March and close on Friday 12th April 2019. During this period you must return the following:

• A completed registration form
• An up to date property portfolio form
• A copy of your current tenancy agreement

We will not accept any applications that fall outside of the above stated dates.

Meetings

We will meet with all applicants during between the 16th - 30th April to run through the process. At this stage, applicants will sign the declaration form.

Directly following the meeting you will be invoiced and once payment is received we will start to plan the visits.

All invoices must be paid before 17tht May or we may not be able to progress your application any further.

Visits

Once payment is received we will contact you to let you know which properties we would like to visit and at that stage we will need to see associated documentation as outlined in the standard. You will have 14 calendar days from the request of the documentation to provide it to us.

Once we have received satisfactory documentation we will work with you to plan a mutually agreeable time to visit.

Please note, we will not be carrying out any initial visits after the 19th July.

If we have not been able to make our initial visits by this date, you will have been unsuccessful with your application.

Remedial works

Any remedial works highlighted following the visits will need to be completed within 28 calendar days after which time we will make a second visit to the property.

If works have not been completed satisfactorily at this stage, you will have a further 14 calendar days to rectify any issues before we make a final third visit.

Any properties requiring a third visit will be charged at £50 inc. VAT per property and this will need to be paid within the 14 days stated otherwise your application will be unsuccessful.

If following the third visit these issues have not been rectified, you will have been unsuccessful in your accreditation application.

The timings outlined above are non-negotiable.