Manchester’s Good Landlord Charter covering half region’s rentals
Greater Manchester’s Good Landlord Charter has now reached half of all rental homes in the region in the two months since its launch.
More than 100 landlords and housing providers, responsible for more than 234,000 homes, have signed up to the scheme - representing 50% of rented households.
The Charter, introduced by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to improve standards in both social and privately rented housing, is the first of its kind, and as well as supporting landlords to go ‘above and beyond’ minimum national standards it also focuses resources on rooting out the rogue or criminal landlords giving the sector a bad name.
The NRLA’s chief policy officer Chris Norris is on the Charter board, with the NRLA working with the combined authority on the development of the scheme.
He said: “We were pleased to be able to help shape a charter from the outset. What has been created will help improve the renting experience whilst taking into account the challenges landlords providing quality homes.
“What sets the GMCA Good Landlord Charter apart is its commitment to reconcile the views of a wide array of different organisations.
“It is rightly committed to rooting out rogue landlords whilst at the same time supporting, recognising, and promoting the contribution of the overwhelming majority of landlords who provide high-quality private rented accommodation.”
Since 2023, Greater Manchester has led a crackdown on negligent landlords, increasing the number of enforcement fines for housing offences by 43%, totalling £1.47 million.
This is now being reinvested into local housing enforcement teams, helping to protect tenants against negligent landlords and poor housing.
Following today’s announcement Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "Today we are entering a new era for renting in Greater Manchester. We’re making it clear that renting out sub-standard properties, which damage the health of our residents, will no longer be tolerated. This city-region is getting serious about driving up housing standards and delivering on the promise of a good home for everyone.
“We know there are many good landlords out there and the Charter will give them the recognition they deserve. It will also help isolate those who require further attention from our enforcement teams.
The £1.47 million of civil penalties our local authorities have issued in the last two years show we’re holding the most negligent landlords to account.
“Together, we’re leading the way in how to build a fairer, stronger housing system and blazing a trail for the rest of the country to follow.”
More information
If you’d like to find out more about the Good Landlord Charter, you can keep track of further developments on the GMCA website here, with further details about how the scheme works in practice available here.
