31053-30STOLEN deposits, leaking roofs and other tenant's nightmares could become a thing of the past.

A new scheme in Swindon will allow tenants to check their prospective landlord is bona fide before they sign on the dotted line.

And dodgy landlords who will be denied accreditation will have nowhere to hide.

This week, Chris Kenrick became the first Swindon landlord to be awarded the council-sponsored accreditation.

The 61-year-old from Old Town, who lets five properties in Swindon, said: "In this day and age, if you are going to succeed you need to show a degree of quality.

"The scheme recognises the landlords who will treat tenants fairly and in properties of reasonable condition."

Housing law already demands properties meet a decent standard of repair and maintenance and undergo an annual gas safety check.

But to be awarded the accreditation landlords must fulfil a range of additional conditions proving good tenancy relations, good repair and maintenance and good management of the property.

Those with houses in multiple occupation will also have to carry out regular checks to ensure smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are working.

And, while the scheme is voluntary and does not mean those who decline to take part are bad landlords, the council hopes many landlords will support the initiative.

"The accreditation is there to improve the standards of housing in Swindon," said Richard Palacio, senior environmental health officer at Swindon Council.

"Landlords in Swindon are on the whole a very good and reliable bunch, but you will always find a small handful of rogue landlords.

"This scheme will allow tenants to find the better ones."

It is believed some of the more unscrupulous Swindon landlords are based in London.

"People running a dubious house of multiple occupation in East Ham may be doing the same in Swindon," said one council official.

Paula Austin, from Swindon's Citizens' Advice Bureau, said rogue landlords were a growing problem in the town, as more landlords entered the buy-to-let market.

"It's a major issue and we get a lot of people who have complaints," she said.

Problems include stolen deposits, faulty boilers and central heating, excessive charges for cleaning, harassment and illegal evictions.

It has been known for landlords to change the locks on a property and refuse to return the tenant's possessions.

One Swindon couple were refused their £800 deposit because of a faulty gas boiler, while a Swindon man lost most of his £700 flat deposit to a bill for cleaning and repairs to a heater even though fixtures and fittings are supposed to be the landlord's responsibility.

"It makes people very angry but because tenants have so little security they are reluctant to jump up and down and make a fuss," said Miss Austin.

What is involved in accreditation

Landlords must not:

Withhold deposits unless reasons are given in writing.

Harass tenants.

Landlords must:

Provide a property that is free from serious disrepair, in good decorative order and meets fire and safety rules.

Provide a written tenancy agreement.

Have a plan to ensure problems with the property are dealt with.

Provide a reliable means for tenants to contact them.

Andy Tate