Management Standards
Improving management standards in the private rented
sector
Landlords who are members of the Cheshire
Landlord Accreditation Scheme agree to maintain the following
standards, or work towards them.
Tenancy Agreements
1. There are written tenancy agreements in place with all
tenants in clear, easy to understand language.
2. The tenancy agreements include:
- the amount of rent, including dates and method of payment
- details of any service charges, including the amount, what they
are for and how they are calculated
- each parties' responsibilities for utility bills and council
tax
- each parties' responsibilities for repairs, maintenance and
cleaning, including appliances
- the name, address and telephone number of the landlord
including details of any managing agent's contact details, and
emergency contact details
- a clause making clear that nuisance and anti-social behaviour
by the tenant, household members or visitors will not be
tolerated
- the amount of notice required by both parties to terminate the
tenancy
- the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment, and the landlord's right
to enter the property with reasonable notice.
Rents and Deposits
1. Where the tenant pays rent in cash, a receipt is issued to
the tenant.
2. Where a deposit is taken or a new tenancy agreement has been
put in place since 6 April 2007, the landlord has protected the
deposit in an approved tenancy deposit scheme and details are
provided to the tenant.
3. Where a deposit is held by the landlord and covered by one of
the approved insurance schemes, the tenancy agreement states the
maximum period following the termination of the tenancy by which
the relevant amount of the deposit will be returned.
4. Where the deposit is held by the Deposit Protection Service,
the tenancy agreement states the maximum period following the
termination of the tenancy by which the landlord will advise the
Deposit Protection Service of the amount, if any, of the deposit to
be returned.
Inventory
1. An inventory of the contents and condition of the property is
produced and agreed with the tenant at the commencement of the
tenancy, and is signed and dated by both parties.
Fire Safety
1. A written fire safety risk assessment is carried out for the
property.
2. The tenant is advised about fire safety precautions at the
start of the tenancy.
Gas Safety
1. The tenant is provided with a copy of the annual gas safety
certificate.
Energy Performance Certificate
1. Where the tenancy started after 1 October 2008, an energy
performance certificate is provided.
Appliances, Utilities and Waste
1. Tenants receive information on how to use the heating system
and any appliances supplied as part of the tenancy.
2. Tenants receive information on how to turn off the water, gas
and electricity, in case of emergency.
3. Tenants are advised about waste and recycling services and
relevant collection dates.
