A council is asking landlords to sign a document declaring they are letting safe and compliant properties.

Dorset council has launched the Safer Renting scheme in Weymouth and Portland: since its launch last year, 75 per cent of landlords who have been contacted have signed up and received bespoke advice and information in return.  

Landlords approached through Safer Renting receive a letter advising them to log their details and complete a form for the property that they let out.  

They are asked to confirm that they meet common legal requirements such as possessing a current gas safety certificate, electrical condition report and provide a smoke detector on each level of the property.  

Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Health & Housing, Councillor Jane Somper says “This front facing service is helping landlords comply with their legal requirements and improve standards and safety in rented properties. 

“It also means we can target those properties which are rented, but where the landlord has not told us about the conditions and can act accordingly.  

“I would appeal to landlords in Weymouth and Portland to complete the online form on our website if they haven’t already done so, to be sure they are complying with the law.” 

The council is warning that if a landlord fails to complete the form, it may arrange to inspect the property. 

When landlords have submitted their information, the council will send a confirmation email as well as bespoke advice on how to achieve full compliance.  

This could be anything from a checklist of required certificates and paperwork to more specific advice based on what information the landlord has submitted. 

“In some cases, the council and landlord will agree that an inspection is necessary to help resolve any issues” says a council statement.

The Safer Renting scheme also links landlords to a council forum called Dorset Landlords.

Currently, Safer Renting is a pilot scheme in Weymouth and Portland where there are large numbers of rented properties but is likely to be extended to other parts of Dorset in the future. 

The council claims Safer Renting “is not a registration or licensing scheme but seeks to work with landlords to help them comply with a range of legislation.”

And it adds: “Through schemes like Safer Renting and Dorset Landlords the council is working proactively to raise standards and encourage best practice in rented properties.”