Operated effectively, accreditation schemes can be a powerful tool for achieving a wide range of objectives and for providing significant benefits for their participants. Politically and socially, they can be effective in:
- raising housing standards (in addition to the legal minimum)
- regenerating deprived neighbourhoods
- isolating and exposing providers responsible for poor housing and management standards and making it easier for statutory agencies to use their enforcement resources against those landlords who either cannot or will not improve
- recognising landlords who comply with scheme standards
- helping settle homeless people in rented accommodation
- improving relationships between local authorities and the landlord community and creating a constructive atmosphere in which to raise standards through partnership and incentivisation
- improving standards in specialised areas of the private rented sector including student accommodation and supported housing