What is DASH Landlord Accreditation?

DASH Landlord Accreditation is a voluntary Accreditation scheme that has been operating since 2008.  It is open to Landlords who agree to meet a set of benchmark Standards.  These Standards are set out in the DASH Code of Conduct in the Scheme Manual, which covers both housing management and property Standards.

The aims of DASH Accreditation are:

to encourage and promote good property Standards and management practices in the Private Rented Sector by recognising Landlords who commit to Accreditation.

to raise the profile and promote the public image of the Private Rented Sector.

to support Landlords in their development and knowledge by making available resource materials to inform, educate, raise awareness and encourage good practice.

to reduce disputes and misunderstandings between Landlords, Tenants and Local Authorities.

DASH Landlord Accreditation offers a quality mark and is not a Landlord association, buying group or licensing scheme.  Please note that some of the requirements in the Code of Conduct may be of higher standards than the Local Authority would ask for; this is because Accreditation is a voluntary undertaking and seeks to improve standards in the Private Rented Sector.

Who can join?

Any Landlord with Private Rented Sector accommodation over the country is eligible to join the scheme, providing they have had no legal or civil enforcement action within the last two years, and have no ongoing issues with the Local Authority.  Please note that if you do not live locally to your rental property, part of your Accreditation requirements will be that you employ an Agent/have a local contact to be on hand to resolve any issues that may arise during a tenancy.

Unfortunately, DASH Landlord Accreditation is not open to Letting Agencies/ Managing Agents; the person wishing to become accredited must own the property/ies and be in a position to commit to the Accreditation process themselves.

How do I become an Accredited Landlord?

Before you make an application, it is a good idea to read the Scheme Manual and make sure that you understand and agree to keep to the Standards as these are the "Terms and Conditions" that you will be signing up to.  Once you are happy, go to the DASH home page and click the Apply Now button.

You will be asked to agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy.  You can then start to set your login details and provide your contact details.  Work your way through the form detailing whether the application is for a Landlord or a company, completing the self assessment and any Agent details.

Once done you will be given a DASH Accreditation Reference number e.g DASH26414

You then need to register all the properties you own and let.  Failure to disclose all properties or any ongoing Local Authority issues to DASH at this point will result in the application being cancelled.

When the application is received DASH will email you an acknowledgement and the 3 steps which you need to work through to gain your Accreditation.  These are:

The Accreditation fee. 

Details to complete the Landlord Development Foundation course. 

Having a health and safety inspection of 10% of your property list.  You will need to complete any works identified by the DASH Inspectors.  

Your Accreditation will be awarded once the 3 steps are completed.

How much does it cost to become an Accredited Landlord?

DASH Landlord Accreditation is a paid for service.

The cost to join DASH Landlord Accreditation depends on which Local Authority your property/ies are based in.

Some Local Authorities pay a subscription to DASH for Landlords in their area to be Accredited, therefore no fee is payable by the Landlord.

Free Accreditation therefore applies to Landlords with properties in the following Local Authority areas:

If you let properties in an area that is not listed above, for example Nottingham City Council or Portsmouth City Council, then it is you as the Landlord (rather than the Local Authority) who needs to pay to join DASH.

The following fees will apply upon application (for both new & renewal applications):

The fee payable is for the application, so it is important to ensure that you are committed to completing the full DASH Accreditation process.  DASH fees are non-refundable - Refunds cannot be given more than 48 hours after the application has been received by DASH.

How long does my Accreditation last for?

Once granted, Accreditation with DASH lasts for a period of up to 3 years from the date of the initial application.  After this time, Landlords will need to renew their application should they wish to remain Accredited.

If you have received a discount on your licensing fee due to your DASH Accreditation, then it essential that you remain Accredited for the period of the licence or you run the risk of having to pay back any discounts received - check your licensing conditions for further information.

Do I need to apply for each property?

No, DASH is a Landlord based Scheme, so the Landlord is accredited and not each property.  A Landlord will have a single Accreditation Reference Number and list all the properties owned and let.

By listing all the properties you own, it allows DASH to be confident that Landlords who join us are operating consistently across the region and therefore warrant the badge of Accreditation.

I have some properties, and my partner owns some.  Do we both need to apply?

In becoming a member of the DASH Accreditation Scheme Landlords commit to registering all the properties that they own and let.

If you jointly own a property then you can just have 1 application.  So for example, if you and your partner jointly own a property, and you also have other properties you own then you can have 1 application that covers them all.  You must have a stake in every property you have registered.

If you and your partner own several properties together, then you can hold a joint Accreditation Reference in both names.

If it is a company that owns the properties, then chose the company application.  One of the Directors who has financial control will be the lead contact.

If you have several companies, then you will need an application per company.  Only register the properties owned by that company.

If you have a company but still own other properties as a Landlord in your own right, then you will need to have 2 separate applications with DASH.

It's important to get the set up right as it may affect any discounts you apply for on your license fees, as some Local Authorities give a discount for being an Accredited Landlord.  In short, the application to DASH should be in the same name as the license holder on the application.  This does not apply to Agents who are the license holder.  In this case the Landlord must apply to DASH for the Accreditation.

You can have an individual Accreditation or a joint application if you would prefer, depending on the make up of your business and property portfolio.  If you are in doubt about how to set up your application the DASH Team can provide more information on your specific situation and recommend the best route. Please get in touch at dash@derby.gov.uk or call 01332 641111.

How do I find my DASH Accreditation Reference Number?

Click this link -

https://control.dashservices.org.uk/auth/DASH

Enter your log in details and select My Information and it will bring up your contact details and DASH Accreditation Reference Number in the following format: DASH12345

Can I just do the training course and not become Accredited?

As part of the selective licensing scheme, Nottingham City Council (and certain other Councils) require Landlords to have evidence of relevant training that they have undertaken.  Landlords who complete the DASH online Landlord Development course will satisfy this license condition.

Landlords don’t have to become fully Accredited with DASH to take advantage of this course; however it is worth noting that just completing the course rather than becoming fully Accredited will not give you access to the benefits of Accreditation, often including paying a reduced licensing fee.

To do the training course on its own, the cost is £60.

If you pay to become DASH Accredited then the training is included in the application fee.

For more information on DASH training please email dash@derby.gov.uk

What happens at the DASH property visit?

DASH usually undertaking property inspections ‘virtually’, but may also attend in person.  Virtual inspections are conducted using the smartphone video messaging app ‘WhatsApp’.  We aim to see at least a 10% sample of a Landlords property list.  We are happy to undertake this ‘virtual’ inspection with the Landlord, the Tenant or the Letting Agent, as no prior knowledge of property safety is required.

The DASH Inspector will call the nominated contact to arrange a convenient date and time to undertake the ‘virtual inspection’.  You or they will need to make sure any other relevant tenants are informed about the inspection, and that every room is accessible for the agreed date and time.  This will include looking at cellars, basements and gardens, but not loft spaces (unless they are bedrooms).  You will need to ensure that at least 24 hours notification is given to any Tenants.

On the day the DASH Inspector will call at the date and time agreed, via the ‘WhatsApp’ application.  They will work around each room and ask to see things such as the handrail on the stairs.  During the call, just point the camera as directed by our Inspector.

The DASH Inspector will have a floor plan and will be making notes (so you don’t have to).  You won’t need to do any prior preparation, or be asked any difficult questions, just be ready to point the camera as directed.  If you do have a tape measure handy, that can sometimes be helpful if there are any low windowsills or escape windows to measure but it is definitely not essential.

The calls are not recorded but please try and ensure that children/vulnerable residents are not present during the call.

If there are going to be any access limitations, please let the DASH Inspector know at the start of the call.

If you have any questions during the inspection, please try to wait until the inspection is completed, so the Inspector can finish their notes first – that way we don’t miss anything.  The Inspector will ask you if you have any questions before the call ends and will be more than happy to answer any questions then.

The length of the inspection varies dependent on the size of the property and its condition, but most take about 15-20 minutes.

After the inspection, the Inspector will complete a short report of any hazards identified during the inspection and what needs to be done to put them right.  This will be emailed to the Landlord within approximately 10 days of the inspection being carried out.

ADD FORM HOW TO DEAL WITH DASH WORKS REQUESTED

Why do the properties need an inspection when agency staff have visited them?

If the Local Authority has recently visited a property and found no hazards, in order to avoid duplication DASH may not need to visit the property in order to complete the accreditation process.

The reason for this is that Local Authority staff are trained to the same or similar standards to DASH and have a working appreciation of the mark we would like the properties to achieve.

However, while we appreciate that agents carry out regular inspections of properties, they would not necessarily be trained to look for the same things, so another visit is required.

What is a DASH Report?

Following the DASH property visit the Inspector will issue a report within approximately 10 days, which is emailed to the Landlord.

This report will detail works that are required (if any) to bring the property up to the Standards of the Code of Conduct.

You must then carry out the works within the deadline set in the report, or with an agreed extension if required, and provide proof of the works to DASH once complete by way of invoices or photos.

What happens if my property fails an inspection?

At the start of your application to DASH you have declared that all your properties have the correct certificates and that they meet the appropriate property standards. The DASH inspection will verify this.

We understand that not everyone is an expert on housing standards or fire safety, so having some works to complete to bring the property up to the Accreditation Scheme Standards is normal.  You will be given a timescale in which to complete the works and provide invoices or photos as evidence of completion.  You can use the report to guide you to comply with the correct standards, and you can apply this learning across your portfolio.

However, sometimes we find that the works required are too numerous or extensive in nature and so the property is not fit to go ahead for Accreditation at this point.  In this case we will cancelled your DASH Accreditation application without refund.   Another Accreditation application can be submitted to DASH once the works in the report have been completed.

DASH may also liaise with the Local Authority so they can offer additional help and guidance.

Can I appeal against a decision on my property?

Yes.  If a Landlord disputes the works requested following a DASH inspection, this should be put in writing to the DASH Team Member who provided the report, detailing with the reasons for appeal.

The team will discuss the case with you and try to resolve the dispute.

If this is not achieved, then this can be escalated to the Accreditation Review Group who will look at whether the works requested are in line with the DASH Scheme Manual, or if there is an alternative solution.

The DASH Principal Manager will review all the information provided by the Landlord and the Accreditation Review Group, and make a decision as to whether the works are justified.

Should the Landlord disagree with the DASH Principal Manager's decision, this can be referred to the Accreditation and Appeals Panel.  The decision of the AAP is final.

Accreditation and Appeals Panel[AS1] 

What do I save on my license fee if I am accredited?

Local Authorities who sign up to DASH may offer a reduced fee on licences (mandatory, additional or selective), for DASH accredited Landlords.

Unlike Accreditation, the licence fee applies ‘per property’ and not ‘per Landlord’, so as an accredited Landlord you can apply for a reduced fee for each licence required.

Local Authorities offer these incentives in acknowledgement of Landlords who demonstrate they have a good level of property and tenant management.  Local Authorities find that accredited Landlords are less risk and less work is required to process and issue a license.

Each Local Authority will charge different fees for their licences, so you will need to check with your Local Authority to find out if there is a discount and how much it will be.

Landlords need to be fully Accredited for the discount to apply.  DASH Landlord Accreditation cannot guarantee any discounts if Landlords have signed up to DASH but not completed the process to become an Accredited Landlord.

A useful example:

A Landlord sees on Nottingham City Council Selective Licensing website that they can get a discount on the license fee if they become accredited.

They apply to DASH Accreditation and quote their DASH Accreditation Reference Number on the NCC license application form to let them know they are part of the scheme.

The Landlord starts the Accreditation process and pays DASH the Membership Fee of £110+VAT.  They need to complete the training course, have a property visit and complete any works necessary to meet the Accreditation scheme standards before the Accreditation is awarded.

Nottingham City Council review the license application and ask for the final payment to be made.  They check if the Landlord is DASH Accredited and find that they haven't completed the process and so the full price for the license is charged.

Am I guaranteed a discount on license fee?

No, DASH Landlord Accreditation cannot guarantee any discounts or reduced licensing fees.

DASH is set up to recognise good Landlords by giving a quality mark along with useful training and support over a 3 year period.  There are a number of reasons why Accreditation isn’t granted straight away and therefore we cannot guarantee a timescale to complete the process.  Landlords must be fully Accredited before any discount can be applied.  A typical application takes up to 6 weeks to reach full Accreditation status.

A useful example:

A Landlord in Nottingham applies for DASH Landlord Accreditation and uses their DASH Membership Number on the Selective License application with Nottingham City Council to let them know that they are a part of the DASH Accreditation Scheme.

Nottingham reviews the license application within 3 weeks and ask that the Accreditation with DASH be confirmed.

However, the Landlord has paid the DASH Accreditation application fee, but not completed the training or had a property visit by DASH.  Accreditation is only awarded when all steps are completed by the Landlord.

In this case, Nottingham City Council does not apply the discount and charges the Landlord the full license fee.

The Landlord doesn’t complete the Accreditation process in time and therefore doesn’t benefit from the reduced license fee.

How do I renew when my Accreditation status period expires?

You will receive an automated notification 6 weeks before your Accreditation is due to expire, which will prompt you to log in to your DASH Account and start the Renewal process.  A further reminder will be emailed to you 2 weeks before the due date if it has not been completed.

After ticking Yes you want to renew, you will then need to complete the 4 steps.  This updates your application details, your property list information and lets you recommit to the DASH Code of Conduct.

Once completed, DASH will receive a notification and will then send you the next steps for your new Accreditation.  You will need to pay the Accreditation fee, complete a new training course and have at least one of your properties visited for a health and safety check.

The Renewal Fees are the same as those for a new application (see FAQ How much does it cost to be an Accredited Landlord?)

If you fail to renew in time, you will be sent a deadline which gives you a last chance to stay with the Scheme.  If you do not respond to this then your DASH Accreditation Account will be cancelled.

I have a Letting Agent working on my behalf, do I need to become Accredited?

The short answer is yes.

Agents work on behalf of their clients (Landlords) so unless you have a very special legal agreement in place (like some leasing agreements for example) you, as the Landlord, are still legally responsible for whatever actions the Agent does on your behalf.

Bearing this in mind we feel it essential that the Landlord has at least a basic understanding of the legal and professional requirements of being a Landlord.  In order to gain financial benefits that are associated with Accreditation, for example licensing discounts, the individual Landlord, not the Agent will need to become Accredited.

However it is worth noting at this point that Accreditation is voluntary, it is not mandatory to become accredited.

Can my Letting Agent complete the Accreditation on my behalf?

No.  DASH is a Landlord based Accreditation scheme and therefore each member must complete the process themselves.  The DASH team can provide any assistance you require and additional learning material should you need it.

The Agent can assist the Accreditation process by booking the property visit on your behalf, and help you complete any remedial works that might be required following the inspection.

Can my Letting Agent do the training course for me?

No. The training course is compulsory for all members to complete.  Your Agent is working to your instructions, so as a Landlord you need to be aware of what the responsibilities and legal implications are.

I have a question that isn’t listed here. How do I contact you?

Please contact us.