The public policy issue is how best to raise standards in the private rented sector? The ANUK policy issue to is define what accreditation is so that all accreditation schemes meet a defined set of values and can be transparent and trusted. Both of these issues are addressed in the 8th Annual ANUK Conference.
In a year where licensing under the Housing Act 2004 saw large non compliance and where most of those who applied and have received licences already met the standards there are those that think that voluntary accreditation could have achieved the same outcome more effectively releasing resources currently tied up by bureaucracy for real enforcement against those evading the law.
This one day conference sees accreditation moving out of the shadows into mainstream housing policy in the private rented sector. Will the Government's Review of the Private Rented Sector reflect this shift in importance and, if it does, will it matter?
There is no doubt that accreditation is becoming more important, a fact yet to be fully recognised by Central and Regional Government, but perhaps being recognised by Local Government who would welcome greater resourcing of this important area.
The one day conference looks at:
- the rapid development of accreditation, at local, regional and national levels
- how accreditation fits into future strategic considerations about how the private rented sector can perform better
- how high quality suppliers can be recognised by consumers for the expertise they bring to a vital part of the housing market.
The conference takes place in the East Midlands, kindly hosted by Nottingham City Council at their magnificent Council House. Nottingham is currently a hotbed of activity for the development of local and regional accreditation but the day also takes in developments in London, the North West, Wales and Scotland, giving a comprehensive picture of accreditation in the UK today.
This will be an exciting event, providing excellent networking opportunities for those involved in running, developing or thinking about accreditation - come and be part of it.
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