The Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS) is a scheme to recognise and promote good landlords who provide their tenants with high quality, safe accommodation.
Any individual, agent, partnership or limited company can apply to become accredited. To become accredited they must attend a one day development course, agree to follow a code of conduct and certify that they are a ‘fit and proper person’ (the full documents can be found at the bottom of the application form. There are some additional requirements for agencies etc.)
There is no fee for accreditation, but there is a charge for the one-day development course (currently 100 GBP including lunch and refreshments). The vast majority of people who attend this course find it extremely informative and worthwhile. It is a key part of the accreditation scheme as our emphasis is on education rather than inspection.
Currently accreditation is voluntary, but it is likely that in the near future compulsory registration and enforced standards for all landlords will come into place. Therefore it is beneficial for landlords to equip themselves with crucial information, ensure their properties meet a certain standard, and engage in joint working with key agencies at this early stage, through the Accreditation Scheme.
The Seminars
Attendance at the seminar is a real opportunity to learn about housing legislation, good practice, how to deal with common problems etc, and is a lively mixture of information and discussion.
90% of attendees to date said the course material as relevant to them, and when surveyed on how informative delegates found the day, an average mark of 9/10 was awarded. (As of March 2009, scoring from all delegate feedback forms completed since course inception.)
Comments include:
“Came thinking it would be a waste of time. How wrong I was. Great…that’s what it was!”
“An excellent and informative day. I have learnt a lot. [The trainer] is fabulous…”
“Very enjoyable and, at the same time, extremely informative…”
“An excellent, informative day. Very useful.”