03 September 2010Help is at hand for people who are looking to rent decent homes with the launch of a new housing accreditation scheme.
The Private Accredited Letting (PAL) scheme is free and is open to landlords with private rented property in the Sevenoaks District.
Properties are inspected by housing officers from Sevenoaks District Council and those homes that meet the PAL scheme standard receive a certificate of full accreditation which is valid for three years. Accredited properties can be viewed on the PAL scheme website www.palscheme.co.uk.
Sevenoaks District Council is encouraging landlords to sign up to the scheme, which offers a number of benefits.
Landlords may be able to access home improvements grants together with support, advice and training on the latest changes in housing legislation. Crucially they can advertise their property for free on the PAL scheme website and they will be given stickers branded with the PAL scheme logo that they can display in their property.
Cllr Carol Clark, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, says “I would urge those who are thinking of renting properties to look out for the PAL logo. They can be sure that PAL accredited homes would have been thoroughly inspected, meet the decent homes standard and be well managed."
To find out more about the PAL scheme, contact Sevenoaks District Council’s Private Sector Housing Team on 01732 227392 or 01732 227312 or e-mail private.sector.housing@sevenoaks.gov.uk.
