The much-publicised and long-awaited Good Landlords Charter for the Greater Manchester area has at last been launched.

A statement from the local council there calls it “the first of its kind in the country, setting a clear, high set of standards that will give confidence to tenants and support landlords to raise the quality of renting across the city-region.”

It was first mooted last year by Labour Metro Mayor Andy Burnham, as a way to support the 56,000 private rented homes in the Greater Manchester region.

Burnham claims some 82,000 would not meet the Decent Homes Standard operating in the social rented sector, and likely to be extended to the private sector under the new government.

Burnham and his supporters claim the real figure os expected to be higher “given that tenants in unsafe homes often feel unable to raise complaints.”

The charter has a series of elements which its creators describe as:

– Affordable – tenants should understand how their rent and other charges are set and should not be overcharged.

– Safe and decent – tenants should be able to live free from physical or psychological discomfort in their home.

– Responsive – landlords should respond satisfactorily to requests for repairs, correspondence and complaints.

– Well managed – landlords or managing agents should be competent.

– Inclusive – no tenant should have a worse experience because of who they are.

– Private and secure – tenants should be free to enjoy their home and make it their own.

– Supportive – tenants should have essential information and extra support if required.

The GM council is urging landlords will be able to register their interest in participating by visiting: Good Landlord Charter – Greater Manchester Combined Authority (greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk)

A statement says: “Landlords who register early will work with a new independent Charter Implementation Unit to put the charter into practice, developing the support offer for landlords and the approach to assessment. The Charter will be open to all residential landlords, whether social or private, charitable or profit-making, and will offer two levels of participation: Member, and – for those working towards membership status – Supporter.

“The Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter has been developed over the past year in partnership with local renters, private and social landlords, trade bodies, and industry experts.”

Alongside the Charter, Greater Manchester is also boosting enforcement capacity with a right to a Property Check for all renters, carried out local expert teams and followed up with action where necessary.