Coventry landlords' forum

Coventry Accredited Property Scheme

As part of the strategy for tackling poverty, the first Coventry Community Plan committed the Housing Department to introduce a scheme to recognise and publicise decent residential accommodation. This commitment has resulted in the formulation of the Coventry Accredited Property Scheme (CAPS) to recognise privately rented residential property which is of a good physical standard and is well managed.

What is accreditation?

Accreditation provides a set of standards relating to the management and physical condition of privately rented accommodation. Landlords put their properties forward to join the scheme and in so doing agree to abide by the standards. These properties then become accredited when they comply with the required physical standards and all of the management standards are met. The Coventry Accredited Property Scheme is voluntary. There is no compulsion for landlords to join, but there may be many advantages.

Aims of the scheme

To recognise good quality privately rented residential accommodation which meets certain physical standards and is well managed.
To involve landlords and other PRS participants in the development of the scheme to ensure fair, reasonable and acceptable standards.
To provide incentives for accredited landlords and create marketing advantage by positive identification of properties with a "kite mark".
To recognise very high quality accommodation by a "star" rating system.
To encourage responsible landlords to join the scheme by way of promotion and publicity.
To provide assurance to prospective tenants that the property they seek to rent is of a good standard.
To encourage tenants to seek out accredited properties to rent.
To encourage landlords with below standard properties to improve them to accreditation standards.
To encourage an overall improvement in the quality of privately rented residential accommodation within the city.

The Coventry Landlords' Forum

In conjunction with CAPS the Council also promotes The Coventry Landlords Forum. This encourages dialogue between landlords and the Council and also between landlords themselves. Please take a look at the Coventry Landlords Forum pages for further information about the varied topics discussed at the forum.

Partnership Arrangements

Housing Policy and Services have enlisted the help of the following groups in the formulation of the standards of the Coventry Accredited Property Scheme (CAPS):

Private Sector Residential Landlords, Estate Agents, Managing Agents, Landlords' Associations, Voluntary Organisations, West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Police, Coventry University, Coventry University Students' Union, University of Warwick, University of Warwick Students' Union and other city council departments.

Note:

Adoption of the Coventry Accredited Property Scheme and compliance or non compliance with the provisions of the scheme do not affect the statutory rights of people seeking housing. Coventry City Council reserves the right at any time to amend the content of the Coventry Accredited Property Scheme or the standards therein or its operation.

Coventry City Council shall not be liable to any person or persons for any information contained within the Coventry Accredited Property Scheme or supplemental document, or reliance upon it for any loss, damage or injury or any disputes, proceedings or claims by or between any person or persons (and whether or not including against the Council) whatsoever or howsoever arising from any information therein contained or any supplemental document pertaining thereto.

Inspections carried out in connection with the Coventry Accredited Property Scheme are not to be construed as a comprehensive and detailed survey of all or any part of a dwelling. Individuals/tenants must always satisfy themselves as to the standard of their accommodation. Coventry City Council neither guarantees or warrants its condition and accepts no liability if the tenant finds the accommodation wanting, not withstanding that the property may be accredited under the Coventry Accredited Property Scheme.

Accreditation of accommodation under the terms of the Coventry Accredited Property Scheme does not relieve the landlord of any obligation to comply with any statute or regulation in force for the time being. Neither does it imply the granting of any permission or licence by Coventry City Council, nor approval or acceptance under any other scheme or programme promoted by the Council.