The main steps to launching an accreditation scheme are:
- recognising the need for a scheme
- appointing a project lead
- investigating the feasibility of a scheme with or within the local authority, including:
- private sector team
- grants section
- housing advice
- area renewal team
- consulting with a wide range of bodies, or better still, working in partnership with them to develop the main features of a scheme, including, for example:
- local authority
- local landlord group(s)
- local tenant group(s)
- local higher education institution(s)
- local fire and police services
- neighbouring local authorities
- developing a landlord forum if none exists
- forming a working group with key partners
- consulting with landlords more generally about their views on accreditation and producing a draft scheme
- consulting with local businesses to develop incentives
- networking with other scheme operators
- considering using other schemes as a basis for the scheme design, including the ANUK landlord and tenant model accreditation scheme
- determining whether or not to levy a scheme membership fee towards running costs
- developing the draft scheme
- presenting to landlords and tenants and other significant constituencies
- amending the scheme further in consideration of the feedback
- securing firm agreement to final scheme design
- appointing staff to run the scheme
- developing detailed administrative systems and procedures
- procuring equipment and other infrastructural support as necessary
- launching the scheme and publicising it as actively as possible
- reviewing the scheme at intervals: quickly, in order to ensure it is on track and to make minor amendments if necessary; after some time review its performance against objectives