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Boris Johnson's good landlord scheme branded a flop Boris Johnson's good landlord scheme branded a flop
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A scheme launched by the London mayor, Boris Johnson, to improve the standard of rented property in the capital has been branded a flop after it was found just 0.2% of adverts for homes to let mentioned that the landlord or letting agent had signed up.A scheme launched by the London mayor, Boris Johnson, to improve the standard of rented property in the capital has been branded a flop after it was found just 0.2% of adverts for homes to let mentioned that the landlord or letting agent had signed up.
Johnson launched the London Rental Standard – the first citywide scheme to accredit good landlords and letting agents – in May last year. The aim, he said, was to “improve the experience of everyone involved, from landlord to tenant, with a clear set of good practice rules”. The scheme’s target was to accredit 100,000 landlords and agents by 2016.Johnson launched the London Rental Standard – the first citywide scheme to accredit good landlords and letting agents – in May last year. The aim, he said, was to “improve the experience of everyone involved, from landlord to tenant, with a clear set of good practice rules”. The scheme’s target was to accredit 100,000 landlords and agents by 2016.
“In time, the London Rental Standard will become an instantly recognisable feature of London’s lettings industry, helping Londoners to pick between the huge array of landlords and agents on offer,” said the news release for the launch.“In time, the London Rental Standard will become an instantly recognisable feature of London’s lettings industry, helping Londoners to pick between the huge array of landlords and agents on offer,” said the news release for the launch.
But more than a year later, the official website shows that by mid-June only 14,452 landlords and 339 letting and managing agent firms had signed up – far short of the 2016 target figure.But more than a year later, the official website shows that by mid-June only 14,452 landlords and 339 letting and managing agent firms had signed up – far short of the 2016 target figure.
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Research by the Green party suggested it had failed to gain currency with lettings agents or tenants, despite a marketing budget of £250,000. In 62,521 listings for rented homes on property website Zoopla in July, the scheme was mentioned in just 114 adverts - 0.2% of the total. Most were in listings posted by one agent in Whitechapel, Prime Estate Agents, which included it in a list of schemes it was accredited by.Research by the Green party suggested it had failed to gain currency with lettings agents or tenants, despite a marketing budget of £250,000. In 62,521 listings for rented homes on property website Zoopla in July, the scheme was mentioned in just 114 adverts - 0.2% of the total. Most were in listings posted by one agent in Whitechapel, Prime Estate Agents, which included it in a list of schemes it was accredited by.
Green London Assembly member Darren Johnson said: “Voluntary accreditation schemes only work if tenants know to look out for the badge, creating demand that landlords might respond to. Even the agents who are members of the scheme don’t publicise it, and don’t let tenants search for accredited landlords.Green London Assembly member Darren Johnson said: “Voluntary accreditation schemes only work if tenants know to look out for the badge, creating demand that landlords might respond to. Even the agents who are members of the scheme don’t publicise it, and don’t let tenants search for accredited landlords.
“The scheme is a flop, and is no substitute for adequate regulations.”“The scheme is a flop, and is no substitute for adequate regulations.”
He called for compulsory licences for all landlords, and said more secure tenancies and rent controls were needed to protect tenants.He called for compulsory licences for all landlords, and said more secure tenancies and rent controls were needed to protect tenants.
Dan Wilson Craw, of the campaign group Generation Rent, said there were several problems with the Rental Standard. “It is basic, basic stuff. If a landlord isn’t already doing most of these things, they’re probably breaking the law,” he said.Dan Wilson Craw, of the campaign group Generation Rent, said there were several problems with the Rental Standard. “It is basic, basic stuff. If a landlord isn’t already doing most of these things, they’re probably breaking the law,” he said.
“The scheme is a long way off critical mass and having currency among tenants. Even if it achieved that, there’s nothing forcing landlords who don’t comply to get better, and with demand so high those landlords will always find tenants.”“The scheme is a long way off critical mass and having currency among tenants. Even if it achieved that, there’s nothing forcing landlords who don’t comply to get better, and with demand so high those landlords will always find tenants.”
While larger-scale agents, such as Foxtons and Winkworth, have previously blogged about joining the scheme, the Greens pointed out that it was not mentioned in their ads for rented properties.While larger-scale agents, such as Foxtons and Winkworth, have previously blogged about joining the scheme, the Greens pointed out that it was not mentioned in their ads for rented properties.
A Foxtons spokeswoman said: “As one of the initial agents to sign up to the London Rental Standard, Foxtons fully supports any initiative that helps to raise standards within the private rental sector and with the backing of the mayor of London, it’s gained great momentum.”A Foxtons spokeswoman said: “As one of the initial agents to sign up to the London Rental Standard, Foxtons fully supports any initiative that helps to raise standards within the private rental sector and with the backing of the mayor of London, it’s gained great momentum.”
Richard Blakeway, deputy mayor for housing, land and property, said London was one of the first cities to set professional standards for its rented sector.Richard Blakeway, deputy mayor for housing, land and property, said London was one of the first cities to set professional standards for its rented sector.
“Over 130,000 properties are now managed under the London Rental Standard, with a rapid growth in the number of accredited agents who manage the bulk of rental homes,” he said.“Over 130,000 properties are now managed under the London Rental Standard, with a rapid growth in the number of accredited agents who manage the bulk of rental homes,” he said.
“This ambitious project is one of a range of policies pioneered by the mayor to support 2 million Londoners renting, including the creation of a long-term, institutionally backed private-rented market and ‘rent to buy’ to help people convert rent into equity.”“This ambitious project is one of a range of policies pioneered by the mayor to support 2 million Londoners renting, including the creation of a long-term, institutionally backed private-rented market and ‘rent to buy’ to help people convert rent into equity.”