The shortlist for the ‘Better Homes For All Awards has been revealed and a Black Country housing association is up for a prize.

Orsa Housing, based in Sedgley, will be up against other organisations and individuals to win the title of ‘Landlord of the Year’ at the ceremony, to be held at the Holiday Inn in Telford.

The awards are a celebration of the best in the private rented sector in the borough and the scheme aims to drive up standards in private rented homes and ensuring trusted landlords to be linked to reliable tenants.

Nominations from the public were sought in three categories; best tenant, best landlord and best letting agent. The shortlisted categories will go forward to the awards event on 7 February 2019.

More than 90 nominations were received for the three awards categories with five finalists in each category.  The awards are sponsored by The Wrekin Housing Trust. Cllr Richard Overton, Telford and Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Enforcement, said:

“We are delighted with the positive response of the awards from the public and landlords and agents who rent in the borough.

“It has been tough selecting a shortlist from the entries as everyone deserves to be recognised.

“The Council is grateful to the Wrekin Housing Trust who are sponsors of the awards and who work closely with private landlords providing a range of services, which benefit landlords, tenants and the community.”

Telford & Wrekin Council’s Landlord Accreditation Scheme (which is part of the Council’s Better Homes For All package) provides landlords and lettings agents the opportunity to sign up to a code of conduct and offers training and advice to support their private housing lettings while giving tenants reassurance that their landlord is committed to a set of standards for tenants. 

The package ensures landlords achieve certain criteria to get their accreditation and to improve standards of privately rented accommodation and living standards.

The Better Homes For All scheme also includes a new Rogue Landlord taskforce to crackdown and prosecute bad landlords who provide substandard accommodation.

For more information visit telfordhomefinder.co.uk.