What is DASH Landlord Accreditation?

DASH Landlord Accreditation is a voluntary Accreditation Scheme, operated by DASH (Decent And Safe Homes), which aims to improve housing conditions in the Private Rented Sector.

When a Landlord applies to be Accredited by DASH, they must agree to meet a set of Standards which are laid out in the DASH Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct covers both housing management and property standards.  Scheme Manual

How can I make a complaint about my DASH Accredited Landlord?

If you are having problems with your Landlord or accommodation, firstly you should try to resolve the problem with your Landlord directly.  DASH recommends that you put any issues in writing to your Landlord; email or a text/ WhatsApp message is fine.

The Landlord should respond to this within two weeks (but usually much quicker) and resolve the issues.  Sometimes, it may take a little longer than you would like for a repair to be carried out, as the Landlord may need to wait for a contractor to be available or for a part to be delivered; however they should keep you updated on their progress.

If you are unhappy about the way that your Landlord is dealing with your complaint, you can submit a complaint to DASH.  This must be in writing and should be sent to CONTACT LINK.

The complaint must detail what the issues are, what steps have been taken to resolve this and any correspondence between you and the Landlord.

DASH can give advice to both the Landlord and Tenant and will act as a mediator with the purpose of assisting parties to reach an agreement.

If the dispute is considered to be of a serious nature or cannot be resolved, then DASH will refer the complaint to the Accreditation and Appeals Panel – made up of representatives from key stakeholders who make decisions on the operation of DASH Landlord Accreditation.

The Accreditation and Appeals Panel will make a decision as to whether the Code of Conduct has been breached.  Their decision is final.  If the complaint is upheld, the Landlord's DASH Accreditation status may be cancelled.

What happens during an inspection?

Inspections are usually conducted virtually with the Landlord, but in some cases may be conducted in person.  A DASH Inspector will look in all rooms and communal areas of the property, including the basement if applicable, and any outside space.

The DASH Inspector will be checking for a variety of things including fire safety, amenity levels and ensuring that there are no hazards.

How does DASH ensure that landlords meet the required Scheme Standards?

DASH will aim to carry out a health and safety inspection of a sample of the Landlord's portfolio (a minimum of 10% of properties they own).

A report will be issued to the Landlord following the inspection, detailing any works that are required (if any) to bring the property up to the standard of the Code of Conduct.

The Landlord must then carry out any required works within the deadline set in the report and provide proof of the works to DASH once complete.

What does Accreditation mean for me as a Tenant?

Renting a property from a DASH Accredited Landlord is a good thing.  It means that the Landlord has voluntarily agreed to meet a set of Standards, and they are keen to ensure that their property is safe and complies with legal and Accreditation Standards.

What are the aims of DASH Landlord Accreditation?

The aims of DASH Accreditation are:

to encourage and promote good property standards and management practices in rental properties.

to ensure that Landlords continue to develop their knowledge by making available training resources and materials to inform, educate, raise awareness and encourage good practice.

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

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