Short-let landlords, including those that list properties on Airbnb, will be able to apply for national accreditation from next month, as part of industry attempts to clampdown on rogue landlords.
The new accreditation, backed by the government, will involve voluntary assessments that examine a property’s safety, cleanliness and legality.
Merilee Karr, chairwoman of the UK Short-Term Accommodation Association (STAA), which is behind the scheme, said: “With a new industry, everyone is trying to figure out what this should look like.
“How do you make sure hosts know what the health and safety standards are and what the legal requirements are? If it’s not done properly that creates its own issues.”
More than 1,000 properties are reported to already be signed up to the initiative, which will allow landlords to use the official STAA accreditation logo when they advertise their property once their home has passed M Assessment’s inspection.
Annual fees will be between £100 and £200 for individual homeowners and up to £1,000 for companies.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “Short-term lettings support tourism and enable households to boost their income, but we are clear they should not have a negative impact on the wider communities.
“We welcome the work that the STAA are doing to drive up standards and promote best practice.”
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Business jumping on the landlord bashing band wagon
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