The PAL accreditation scheme for landlords and properties distinguishes between different roles and relationships with the scheme:
Accredited landlord
‘Accredited landlord’ is awarded to a landlord who, with their properties, has been certified as meeting the legal requirements associated with letting properties in the UK and treating their tenants fairly. An accredited landlord has passed our application process and committed to the standards set out in our Landlord Code of Practice and Rental Property Standards.
Gold standard accredited landlord
‘Gold standard accredited landlord’ is awarded to a landlord who, with their property, has been certified as not only meeting but exceeding the legal requirements associated with letting properties in the UK. A gold standard accredited landlord goes above and beyond the requirements to provide quality homes to their tenants. He/ she has passed our application process and committed to the additional requirements set out for gold standard landlords in our Landlord Code of Practice and Rental Property Standards.
Accredited partner
‘Accredited partner’ is awarded to a managing or letting agent who manages properties on behalf of landlords and who has been certified as meeting the legal requirements associated with letting properties in the UK and treating their tenants fairly. An accredited partner has passed our application process and committed to the standards set out in our Partner Code of Practice and Rental Property Standards. Once they have received the appropriate training, accredited partners can accredit the properties they manage, providing they meet the relevant legal requirements.
Accredited property
An ‘accredited property’ is one that has been certified by PAL or an accredited PAL partner as meeting all relevant legal requirements. For a property to be accredited, it must be managed by an accredited landlord or an accredited agent/ partner.
Gold standard accredited property
A ‘gold standard accredited property’ is one that has been certified by PAL as not only meeting but exceeding the legal requirements as set out in our Rental Property Standards. For a property to be gold accredited, it must be managed by an accredited landlord or an accredited agent/ partner.
Supporter
A supporter of the PAL landlord accreditation scheme is an organisation that has been certified as helping us increase landlord and tenant participation in our scheme for example Hertfordshire Constabulary, Citizens Advice Bureau and Herts Fire and Rescue Service. Supporters include public and private organisations, charities and social enterprises.
Each accredited landlord, agent or property has a unique reference number by which it can be identified. You can check accreditations on our agent, landlord and property database.
Look out for the PAL accreditation logos on adverts and other communications to give you confidence that you are renting a quality home.