The Build To Rent trade body, the UK Apartment Association, is backing the proposals outlined to clampdown on rogue landlords put forward by Labour’s Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham. 

Burnham’s Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter has many controversial ideas including giving all renters the right to request a property check, boosting  inspection and enforcement capability, and greater accountability of landlords to tenants. Earlier this week the proposals went out to formal consultation ahead of an expected implementation later this year. 

Now Brendan Geraghty, chief executive of the UKAA, says: “We wholeheartedly welcome the opportunity to consult on the market-leading Good Landlord Charter in Greater Manchester. The Charter is excellent news for both landlords and renters in the Manchester city region and the UKAA looks forward to responding accordingly on behalf of our members.”

And Dougie Orton-Wade, chair of the UKAA in the north west region covering Greater Manchester, comments: “The Manchester Good Landlord Charter has the potential to protect renters in the area, as well as to support those landlords who are providing an excellent rental experience. We welcome the principles of the Charter and hope that, along with the UKAA Code of Practice, it can serve as an inspiration for other regions around the UK.”

The association claims the charter aligns closely with its own work on a code of opctice for the Build to Rent sector which is due to go live this spring.

A statement from the association says: “Fundamental to the UKAA Code of Practice is a commitment to environmental, social and governance principles. The document defines not just the conduct of the BTR sector but its culture, covering professional standards, customer service and fair treatment – all of which BTR tenants should be able to expect as standard.”

Burnham first raised the idea of a Good Landlord Charter early in 2023, having made the commitment back in 2021. 

At the time he said it would cover both the private and social housing sectors, and he commented: “Once again, Greater Manchester is leading the way and making a decisive move towards a new approach – one that we hope will join the dots between housing, health, wellbeing, and everything in between.

“From the way he led the government response to the appalling death of Awaab Ishak in Rochdale, I know that the Secretary of State understands the importance of this, and why we need better housing, stronger enforcement, and greater accountability across the board. 

“So do many partners across our city-region’s social and private rented sector – which is why we want to work with them to create a Charter that is as fair and robust as possible, and establishes a clear set of expectations for landlords and tenants.”