Landlords in Greater Manchester are reportedly finding it difficult to keep up with changes to policy and regulation. This follows research from the TDS Charitable Foundation, which will now underpin a new programme named Better Renting.
The Better Renting programme aims to help landlords understand and comply with their responsibilities. Nationally, 21% of landlords state they find it challenging to stay updated with laws and regulations affecting their properties. The cross-party Housing Select Committee has also highlighted the importance of addressing unintentional non-compliance.
Dr Jennifer Harris, head of policy at The Dispute Service Group, stated that the majority of landlords want to comply, but fragmented communication and difficulty accessing official resources make it harder. The programme will develop resources for landlords across Greater Manchester, including a new website for compliance support and initiatives to improve understanding of responsibilities, such as licensing requirements.
The initiative is led by The Dispute Service Group and the Nationwide Foundation. It follows the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter, which identified a need to improve landlord compliance rates. The programme is intended to support the implementation of the Renters' Rights Act.