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Sheffield Responsible Landlord Scheme
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Sheffield's Responsible Landlord Scheme (RLS) was launched in February 2003. Its aim is to support and encourage private landlords to improve standards in the private rented sector.
The scheme is based around the standards that are applied to both the physical condition of the property and also the standard of management. Many organisations were involved and consulted with during the development of the scheme, including both Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield and District Landlords Association (SADLA) and the Police and Fire Authorities.
The scheme has been very successful and since its launch, over 300 landlords have become members, covering over 800 properties.
Why should I apply?
- RLS is a recognised quality standard, and membership of the scheme will enable landlords to have an advantage over those landlords whose properties are not registered and which may not comply with standards
- The Council recognise that landlords want to provide quality accommodation for their tenants. The Responsible Landlord Scheme is designed to give landlords the necessary information on physical and management requirements to enable them to let property at an acceptable standard.
- We want to encourage landlords to improve their properties voluntarily, so that the Council can concentrate its enforcement activity on those landlords who persist with wilful bad management and who give the private rented sector a poor image.
How do I apply ?
The application pack, plus the booklet describing the scheme, are available for downloading at the bottom of this page, or contact us directly. When applying to join the scheme, landlords "self-certificate" to state that their property meets the scheme's standards. In return they receive a membership certificate and other benefits which will enable them to have greater efficiency in letting and voluntarily increase the standards of their properties.
Benefits currently available to members of the Scheme include:
- Easier Letting by being a member of a citywide recognised scheme
- Free Advertising on the popular Sheffield Property Shop web site
- Access to a free Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement form
- A quarterly newsletter
- Easier Access to Sheffield Universities Schemes
- Free access to the Council Refuse Collection Sites for registered properties
- An invitation to the Landlord Trade Fair 9 October 2008
- A Clear and clean service at very good rates
- Landlord telephone line for Housing Benefit case support
- A list of companies such as Insurance brokers and Solicitors, giving discounts to RLS landlords.
- A free course, the Landlords for Excellence programme at Sheffield Hallam University. The next 10 week course's are due to start in September 2008 and January 2009.
Further details on these Benefits may be obtained by downloading the information sheet at the base of this page.
Letting a property from the 6 April 2007
From 6 April 2007, when a landlord or letting agent takes a deposit from a tenant, the deposit must now be protected in a government-authorised tenancy deposit scheme.
This new rule applies if the tenancy is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.
For information on how the new schemes will work please go to the Tenancy Deposit and Protection web site or telephone:
The Tenancy Deposit Protection Service on 0870 707 1 707
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme on 0845 226 7837
To see the Responsible Landlord Scheme adverts with the Sheffield Property Shop, please follow this link to the Property Shop's private rented accommodation page and follow the link at the bottom of the page to the Private Landlord List.
Contact us
If you want help or more information on the Responsible Landlord Scheme, contact our Supporting Landlords Team on 0114 273 5134 or 0114 273 5881.
or e-mail us at:
Downloads
Download this document if you would like an application form to join the scheme. (547 KB)
Results of the satisfaction survey of Responsible Landlord Scheme members done in the summer of 2007. (this will open in a new window). (24.5 KB)
Results of the satisfaction survey of Responsible Landlord Scheme members done in the summer of 2006. (This will open in a new window). (27.5 KB)
Download this document for a copy of Issue 15 (Winter 2007/8) Responsible Landlord Scheme Newsletter. (300 KB)
Download this document for a copy of Issue 14 (Autumn 2007) Responsible Landlord Scheme newsletter. (308 KB)
Download this document for a copy of Issue 13 (Summer 2007) Responsible Landlord Scheme newsletter. (1.42 MB)
Download this document for a copy of Issue 12 (Spring 2007) Responsible Landlord Scheme newsletter. (403 KB)
Download this document for a copy of Issue 11 (Winter 2007) Responsible Landlord Scheme newsletter. (337 KB)
Download this document for a copy of Issue 10 (October 2006) of the Responsible Landlord Scheme newsletter. (444 KB)
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