Private housing

I you are looking for private rented accommodation in Rochdale accredited properties are advertised on Rochdale Home Choice

The aim of accreditation is to promote good quality, well managed accommodation that benefits residents moving in to the private sector. To be eligible for the scheme, landlords agree to meet a certain standard, both for the condition of the property and how the property is managed.

Rather than a landlord becoming accredited, the scheme accredits each property, so as to ensure each resident benefits from the standards expected. Each individual property is inspected and is required to meet the Decent Homes Standard before the property is accredited.

How do I find an Accredited Landlord?

You can ask the Landlord Accreditation Scheme if the property you are in or wish to rent is an accredited property. You can contact the landlord directly and set up a viewing of the property. You can then be confident that the property that is accredited is in good repair and you have a responsible landlord.

What should I expect from an Accredited Property?

  • If the property has a gas installation then there should be a Gas Safety Certificate issued within the last 12 months. This should be renewed each year whilst you are in the tenancy.
  • The property must be kept in a good state of repair and any necessary repairs required of the landlord will be completed within a reasonable time period.
  • You have been given a written tenancy agreement that includes the level of rent for the property
  • The name, address and contact telephone number of your landlord has been given to you
  • Your landlord has building and third party liability insurance
  • Your landlord will promptly return any deposits taken at the start of the tenancy and will secure the deposit in one of the three Tenancy Deposit Schemes.
  • Your landlord has given you a copy of any agreed inventory of all furnishings provided in the tenancy.
  • Your landlord must treat tenants and prospective tenants fairly and courteously.

For more information about Landlord Accreditation, you can phone 0845 121 2974.

Reporting disrepair at a private rented property

Rochdale Landlord Accreditation Scheme expects landlords who sign up for the scheme to meet the above standards. However not all landlords are accredited or tenants may find that the property they are in does not meet these standards, either through property condition or management practices.

What if I’m in a private rented property and want to make a complaint?

Some landlords may not feel the same responsibilities towards their tenant as those that sign up for accreditation, and may not complete repairs or may behave inappropriately.

For tenants who wish to make a complaint about the condition of the property we have a Private Tenant Complaint Service whereby if you feel your landlord is not completing repairs and the property is in unfit for you to live in, then we will arrange an inspection of the property.

Following that inspection a schedule of works is produced and given to the landlord. If the landlord does not complete the works at this stage, then enforcement action will start against the landlord.

To make a private tenant complaint you can phone 0845 121 2974

What if my landlord is behaving inappropriately?

Tenants are protected by bad behaviour from landlords under Housing Law. Tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment of a property and the landlord has to abide by certain rules and practices.

You may have been asked to leave the property by your landlord. If this has happened to you, you have the right to a legal notice seeking possession, and following this the landlord has to get a court order to remove you.

The law also protects any money paid as a tenancy deposit and landlords have to follow procedures to secure the deposit independently. If this is not done you may experience problems recovering your bond when you leave.