Accreditation Scheme

Terms & Conditions

1. Eligibility 

I understand that:  

  • If awarded, NRLA Accreditation will apply to only me personally. In the case of partnerships, limited companies or trusts, I will be able to note my interest on my membership record. 

  • The NRLA Accreditation Scheme is only appropriate for owners of private residential properties in England or Wales. 

  • Letting Agents or Managing Agents are not eligible except where the Agent is also an owner / landlord of rental properties. In such cases the NRLA Accreditation membership shall only relate to the landlord element of my business and will only be promoted as such. 

2. Requirements of the scheme 

I understand that in order be an NRLA Accredited Member I will need to meet the following requirements: 

  • Be an owner of private residential properties, currently letting or with the intention to let, in England or Wales. 

  • Be a valid paid up member of the NRLA. 

  • Meet the Fit and Proper Person criteria. 

  • Accept and adhere to the NRLA Code of Practice. 

  • Meet the requirements for Continuous Professional Development within the first 12 months of registering and continue to meet them at each accreditation anniversary; that is a minimum of 5 valid core CPD points and 5 valid standard CPD points. 

  • Not falsify my CPD records 

  • Co-operate and assist NRLA to investigate and resolve complaints made about my practice as a private residential landlord in accordance with the NRLA Code of Practice. 

  • Keep my contact details up to date with NRLA

  • I agree to keep my properties to a safe and legal standard. I understand that if my properties are found to be below the legal standard as part of local authority checks and they are not brought back to the legal standard in appropriate time, then my accredited status may be suspended or revoked.

3. Refusal of Application 

I understand that should my application be refused, NRLA will notify me of the reasons and provide me with information about my right to appeal. My application to become Accredited may be refused if:  

  • I fail to reveal relevant information in the Fit & Proper declaration.  Previous convictions or judgements shall not automatically preclude Accreditation, but MUST be declared. NRLA will obtain appropriate information from the applicant regarding any matters declared and will make a decision based on the individual circumstances of each case. 

  • NRLA has information regarding current complaints or legal action being taken against me. 

  • NRLA has objections from appropriate sources on the grounds of my professional conduct 

  • I fail to complete my application in full. 

4. Continual Professional Development 

I understand that: 

  • NRLA will determine the validity and points value of all CPD items at its discretion 

  • An up to date guide to valid CPD and points values will be available on the website for reference 

  • I will need to record details of CPD I have undertaken where it cannot be automatically recorded or has been earned though a third party 

  • It is my responsibility to check and update my CPD record before each accreditation anniversary and notify NRLA of any inaccuracies or omissions. 

  • I may need to provide evidence of having earned CPD, for example certificates of third-party training courses and copies of all qualifications, certificates, and other CPD records must be retained for a period of at least 5 years by members for audit purposes. 

  • I will need to check in as directed at some NRLA events as advance booking is not evidence of actual attendance 

  • NRLA will undertake random annual audits of CPD. NRLA members are required to cooperate in providing any information requested to confirm the attainment of CPD and training.  

  • If an audit finds that any item of CPD I have logged is not valid, then the matter will be considered and discussed with me to try to achieve a satisfactory solution within an agreed timeframe.  

5. Termination of Accredited Membership 

I understand that if I no longer meet the requirements of the scheme then I will have terminated my Accreditation with the NRLA and as such I must: 

  • Stop using the designation of NRLA Accredited Member/Landlord

  • Stop using the NRLA Accreditation logo or associated documentation  

  • Advise tenants that I am no longer Accredited with NRLA 

  • Destroy any printed copies of my NRLA Accreditation Certificate 

Fit and Proper Persons Declaration 

You are required to submit a fit & proper person declaration on behalf of yourself and any partner, director or trustee associated with your application. This enables us to assess your suitability for inclusion in the scheme. You will be prompted to declare that you are a fit and proper person and respond to the following questions after registering with the scheme: 

I declare that….I am a fit and proper person to be accredited in that neither I nor any person associated or formerly associated with me, have any unspent convictions that are relevant to my application. 

  • Have you ever committed any offence involving fraud or other dishonesty, or violence or drugs, or any offence listed in Schedule 3 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42) (offences attracting notification requirements)? 
  • Have you ever practiced unlawful discrimination on grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic or national origins or disability in, or in connection with, the carrying on of any business? 
  • During the last 5 years have you ever contravened any provision of the law (whether criminal or civil) relating to housing or landlord and tenant law, or been refused a licence under parts 2 and 3 of the Housing Act 2004. (HMO licences and selective licensing of other accommodation)? 
  • During the last 5 years have you acted in contravention of any relevant code of practice issued under section 233 of the Housing Act 2004 (management of HMO)?