Accreditation standards

The standards needed to achieve accreditation are fairly simple, but please contact us if you have any questions.

We aim to support landlords and will only pursue enforcement in the most serious of cases. We are here to help you have the best standard of property so you can let to the best tenants.

We have two standards - Accredited and Gold. These are the things we look at or expect when accrediting a property:

Property standard

Free of category 1 and significant category 2 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating system (HHSRS). This is a minimum standard for all rented homes and the team are trained to complete these assessments for you.

General repair

Good overall repair internally and externally. This includes internal decoration to all rooms which should be of a good standard and clean appearance and basic amenities in good working order including roof, yard and gardens, and waste water services and rainwater goods. To achieve the Gold standard the property will be in an excellent condition internally and externally.

Kitchen

A basic fitted kitchen in good working order. This includes adequate workspace for food preparation and storage as well as a safe environment in which to cook. To achieve the Gold standard the kitchen should be installed within the last five years and will be an up-to-date, fitted kitchen in good working order including integrated oven and hob.

Bathroom

Basic amenities in good working order. Properties that meet the Gold standard will have been installed within the last five years and will be a fully fitted modern bathroom suite with bath, shower and mechanical extraction.

Furnishings

If the property is furnished by the landlord, anything supplied should be good and clean, and meet the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended).

Heating

An adequate and efficient heating system. This means a fixed heating appliance is installed in each habitable room. To achieve the Gold standard the property should have a central heating system with TRV to radiators and a timer control.

Electrical safety

An Electrical Installation Condition Report that has been completed within the last five years. An interim electrical safety check should be completed upon change of tenancy and there should be an annual visual check of electrical installation.

Gas safety

A gas safety certificate (CP12) is required annually. This should be completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Buildings insurance

The property is insured under a landlord insurance policy.

Energy efficiency

A minimum of 270mm of insulation should be provided to the roof space, and draught proofing should be installed to all external windows and any letterbox opening.

In addition to this, foam or lagging should be fitted to the hot water tank and to cold water tanks.

Properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a rating of E or above. This EPC should be less than 10 years old at the time of letting.

To chieve the Gold standard the property should have Energy efficiency as per accredited standard plus at least two of the following:

• Cavity wall insulation where applicable
• An energy efficient Sedbuk Band A rated boiler fitted - combination or condensing
• Thermostatic radiator valves to all radiators
• Double glazing

Refuse provision

There should be adequate provision for storage of refuse and recycling.

Security

Timber doors should have working five lever mortice locks to the front and rear external doors. UPVc doors should have a working multi point locking system.

For all doors a door chain and door viewer (if applicable) should be fitted to the front door.

Working window locks fitted to all ground floor windows.

Window restrictors

Suitable restrictors to all windows to prevent falls from height. This is normally at 1st floor level or above where the windowsill height is below 1.2m and there is a bottom opening or side opening window. Restrictors should not be key operated and should not be present on escape windows.

Fire detection

Long life battery smoke alarms suitably located within the property. Ideally a heat detector should be fitted in kitchens to prevent false alarms.

To achieve the Gold standard, smoke and heat alarms should be suitably located and hard wired.

Carbon monoxide detector

A long-life battery carbon monoxide detector must be fitted in rooms with gas and other solid fuel appliances and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Tenancy agreement

The property should be let with an assured shorthold tenancy agreement, copies are available from us by emailing privatesectorhousing@sunderland.gov.uk

Deposits and fees

Any deposit must be held in one of the Government regulated tenancy deposit protection schemes and is capped at five weeks rent. All other fees must be in accordance with the Tenants Fees Act 2019. Please contact us for more details.

Right to rent checks and other matters

You must check if your tenant has the right to rent. This includes all tenants over the age of 18, even if they aren't on the tenancy agreement.

You must complete an inventory and provide a copy to the tenants at the start of the tenancy.

You must give your tenant a How to Rent guide. Copies are available from us.

Complete the online Sunderland Accredited Landlord & Leasing Application.