Mayor’s landlord accreditation reaches 115,000 London homes

More than 115,000 rented homes across the city are now badged under the Mayor’s London Rental Standard.

According to London mayor Boris Johnson, less than a year since its launch last May, the London Rental Standard is going from “strength to strength” with 307 letting agent firms signed up and eight accrediting bodies licensed under the scheme.

It has been adopted by 10 of the biggest names in the lettings industry, including Spicerhaart (Haart and Felicity J Lord); Andrews; CBRE; Chestertons; Douglas and Gordon; Savills; Knight Frank; Leaders; Foxtons; and Stirling Ackroyd.

In theory Londoners either letting or renting through every London branch of these firms are assured that they, and every landlord or agent displaying the London Rental Standard badge, have met the mayor’s set of core commitments and training levels to offer tenants a better, more professional service. These include transparent fees, better property conditions, better communications between landlords and tenants, improved response times and repairs, and protected deposits.

The mayor has called on all remaining letting agents and landlords to sign up to the London Rental Standard, and help to stamp out rogue agents or landlords in every corner of the city.

Johnson said: “This enthusiastic take-up from agents across the capital is testament to the great success of our new and growing London Rental Standard scheme. With more and more of London’s workforce and young families now living in rented homes, this sector has a vital part to play in helping to meeting the capital’s housing needs. The Rental Standard is improving the experience of everyone involved with a clear code of good practice, and I encourage every agent, landlord and tenant to seek it out and sign up.”