Weymouth landlords encouraged to help drive up property standards as part of Safer Renting Scheme.

Dorset Council has launched the Safer Renting scheme in Weymouth and Portland to improve rented property standards and help landlords comply with a range of laws.  

Since its launch last year, 75 per cent of landlords who have been contacted via the scheme have already signed up and received bespoke advice and information in return.  

The council is keen however, to contact those landlords, that have been written to, but are still to respond.  

The process is simple, landlords approached through Safer Renting will receive a letter advising them to log their details and complete a form for the property that they let out.  

They will be asked to confirm that they meet common legal requirements such as possessing a current gas safety certificate, electrical condition report and providing a smoke detector on each level of the property.  

Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Health & Housing, Councillor Jane Somper said “This front facing service is helping landlords comply with their legal requirements and improve standards and safety in rented properties. It also means we can target those properties which are rented, but where the landlord has not told us about the conditions and can act accordingly.  

I would appeal to landlords in Weymouth and Portland to complete the online form on our website if they haven’t already done so, to be sure they are complying with the law.” 

The form, which takes just minutes to complete is on the Dorset Council website and allows landlords to check that they comply with a number of important legal requirements. If a landlord fails to complete the form, the council may arrange to inspect the property. 

When landlords have submitted their information, the council will send a confirmation email as well as bespoke advice on how to achieve full compliance.  

This could be anything from a checklist of required certificates and paperwork to more specific advice based on what information the landlord has submitted. In some cases, the council and landlord will agree that an inspection is necessary to help resolve any issues.  

The Safer Renting scheme also links landlords to the council’s popular landlord forum called Dorset Landlords, which holds regular meetings and provides information and advice on current best practice and the very latest legal requirements.  

Currently, Safer Renting is a pilot scheme in Weymouth and Portland where there are large numbers of rented properties but is likely to be extended to other parts of Dorset in the future. 

Safer Renting is not a registration or licensing scheme but seeks to work with landlords to help them comply with a range of legislation.  

The Housing Standards team also investigates complaints about rented properties and each year takes a range of formal actions to ensure minimum property standards are met.  

Through schemes like Safer Renting and Dorset Landlords the council is working proactively to raise standards and encourage best practice in rented properties.