West Lancashire Landlord Accreditation Landlords Area - FAQ
1. What is the WLLAS Accreditation Scheme?
A scheme to recognise good landlords who have the skills to run a successful rental business and so provide their tenants with good quality and safe accommodation.
2. How can I become an accredited landlord?
In order to become an accredited landlord you are required to:
- Sign a declaration that you are a 'fit and proper' person.
- List the addresses of the properties in your portfolio.
- Agree to the Code of Management set out by the scheme.
- Attend a professional development course or otherwise demonstrate a sufficient level of knowledge to manage a property in accordance with the standards set out by the scheme.
- Complete 10 hours of Continual Professional Development per year. A successful application is one where the property and its management are believed to be in full compliance with the standards of the scheme. Following a successful application a landlord is awarded the accreditation status. Landlords may be removed from the scheme is they fail to meet the requirements.
3. Who can become accredited?
Any individual, partnership, limited company or agent can be accredited.
4. Which areas does the accreditation scheme cover?
The scheme covers West Lancashire.
5. How much does it cost to become an accredited landlord?
Details can be found on the fees section.
6. How long does an accreditation last for?
Accreditation lasts for one year. We will contact you when your accreditation is due to expire and advise you of the procedure for renewing. This will involve a re-declaration and submitting a record of your continued professional development (CPD) activities.
7. What is a PIP?
A PIP is a Property Improvement Plan which may be issued to a landlord following a property inspection if there are minor works required.
8. What do I do if my property fails inspection?
If the property does not meet the legal minimum standard WLLAS will either:
Issue a Property Improvement Plan (PIP) detailing minor works required to be completed within six months or;
If there is major work required, you will not be eligible to join the scheme at this time, and will be advised what to do in order to meet the legal minimum standard.
9. Can I appeal against a decision on my property?
Landlords have the right to appeal to WLLAS to sort out any complaints or appeal against a decision regarding standards or improvement plans for their property.
10. What is a ‘Fit & Proper Person’?
A fit and proper person is someone who can be reasonably assumed to be a good landlord. To self certify that you are 'fit and proper' the following should be declared;
- Whether you have committed fraud, dishonesty, violent or drug related offences
- Evidence of discrimination in any business activity
- Whether you have broken any other laws in relation to housing
A criminal conviction does not necessarily mean that you would not be a 'fit and proper' person. However, you would not be classed as 'fit and proper' if you withhold relevant information. Every case is examined individually and all circumstances are taken into account when making a decision.
11. What does the Code of Conduct require of me?
It requires landlords to work within the legal rules relating to letting and managing. It also requires urgent work to be carried out promptly, and where on-going maintenance is required, a plan of action should be drawn up and made available for tenants and Local Authority staff to view.
12. How can I contact WLLAS?
Our correspondence details can be found on the contact us page.
