New Landlords Code by the British Property Federation

The BPF has launched a new code of conduct for residential landlords – a code which includes a formal complaints process for their tenants. This new system will require BPF members to follow a structured complaints procedure, and to be members of the Housing Ombudsmen Service.

This initiative follows on from a formal response by the government to the review of the private-rented sector by Rugg. Minister for Housing Margaret Beckett gave details of a number of measures for the Private Rented Sector, including the national landlord register to help protect both tenants and landlords, as mentioned in an earlier news article.

This voluntary code is part of a larger initiative to establish a professional rented sector. With hindsight, the government’s Rugg review is unlikely to come into force prior to the General Election, and is also subject to industry consultation.