I WAS interested to read in the Advertiser on June 26, a new scheme will be launched in which landlords will be awarded accreditation from the council if they fulfil a range of conditions.

It sounds good but this scheme is only voluntary.

And shouldn't the letting agencies be held partly responsible?

After all, they are paid a management fee by the landlord.

I knew of one property let to a couple through an agency, where the ceiling came down, the roof leaked, the walls were damp, and they could get nothing done about it, so they moved and the property remains unoccupied.

Will the council's housing department support this initiative? After all, they are landlords.

And how many times have we read of tenants complaining about poorly maintained council houses where nothing gets done until the Advertiser steps in? It's a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

B W Breakspear

Deburgh Street, Swindon