The  requirements of the Codes are a combination of

• standards established in law
• good practice guidelines
• procedures to reduce misunderstandings between landlords and tenants

The Codes set standards in nine categories:

• general
• equality and diversity
• marketing
• during the tenancy
• tenant satisfaction
• health and safety
• at the end of the tenancy
• complaints
• disputes

To join one of the Codes accommodation providers fill in a declaration form stating that they agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the relevant Code. They are also required to pay the approriate fee at the same time as submitting the declaration form.

They also complete a self assessment questionnaire in which they assess how well they think they meet the various standards across the six categories. A sample of the provider’s properties is inspected by an independent verifier who checks that the provider’s claims square with reality before full accreditation is granted. Verification visits focus on the property’s physical condition, how it is managed and customer satisfaction. 

Once membership of a Code has been granted, a member’s compliance is tested periodically through further verification visits. In serious cases non-compliance can result in membership being withdrawn.

Providers can also be held to account for sub-standard services which emerge outside the self assessment and verification processes – through the Complaints Procedures, which are open to tenants and ex-tenants. 

Click here for a more detailed account of how standards are checked through self assessment and verification.