Landlords and letting agents are being targeted by the council to make a property accreditation scheme the best in London, which one estate agent says is a two-fold benefit for his business.

The Property Accreditation Scheme, which the council says is one-of-a-kind in London, sees independent inspectors check properties to make sure they are up to scratch.

Umar Dadd, director of Prime View Estates, based in Leyton High Road,  said the scheme benefits his business by showing potential customers as well as landlords that the properties on his books are well maintained.

He said: “It’s something which makes us much more transparent and gives us a quality factor if the property has been checked independently, rather than a property that might have all sorts of issues later.”

The scheme aims to ensure each property the council uses meets a minimum standard and complies with legislative requirements, central government guidance and the Decent Homes standards.

Mr Dadd said the main focus points are to make sure safety standards are in place for facilities such as gas and electricity as well as smoke detectors.

The council says the key objectives of the programme are to raise tenant and landlord awareness about the standards required in privately rented accommodation, to raise standards of privately rented accommodation, to provide guidance for accreditation officers, landlords and tenants and to enable tenants to gain access to good quality accommodation.

Launched in February 2011 the council has accredited 1,350 properties, with Mr Dadd’s Prime View Estates having 52 properties accredited over the last two months.

Councillor Marie Pye, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The Property Accreditation Scheme asks landlords to show their commitment to meet the standards and in turn we commit to working with them to help the Council meet the growing demand for private sector accommodation.

“It’s not acceptable that some landlords will look to shirk their responsibilities to tenants to provide safe and well maintained accommodation, and rest assured we are working hard to uncover and enforce against those rogue individuals.”

Cllr Pye added that she urged other landlords and letting agents to come forward to join the council to make the private rented sector the best in London.