A SCHEME to encourage private landlords to clean up their properties to build better communities was launched yesterday.

Derwentside District Council has set up an accreditation programme for landlords to raise the standard of rented houses.

Council bosses hope that good properties available to rent in problem areas such as Craghead and South Moor, near Stanley, will attract decent tenants, breaking a cycle of anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Councillor Bill Armstrong, the authority's portfolio holder for health, said: "This scheme is long overdue.

"Craghead and South Moor are in disrepair. The terraces are in a state - in some streets, there are only a couple of decent houses and the rest really need tearing down.

"Now we are forming a partnership with landlords, hopefully we can upgrade these properties.

"And if you have a healthy home, you have a good start for a healthy life."

The scheme is voluntary and is free to join. Officers inspect properties and those who meet the required standards will be accredited.

Andrew Howstan, the officer in charge of the scheme, said: "The benefits to private landlords are that it gives them a market advantage.

"Also these properties will attract a better level of tenant, reducing property abuse.

"This should help engender a stronger sense of community in the likes of Craghead and South Moor and bring back some pride in the area."

As an incentive, a string of businesses in north-west Durham have agreed to give discounts on goods such as furniture and white goods that are destined for accredited properties.

The scheme was drawn up with the help of Derwentside Private Landlords Association and a property owner will have to be a member of the DPLA to qualify.

Since talks on the project began in March, the DPLA has seen membership more than treble, from eight landlords to 29.

Association chairman Trevor Dixon gave the scheme a cautious welcome. "While we are pleased that it has brought in more members, it is not perfect," he said.

"We would like to see it graded in terms of rent. Otherwise, a good landlord is getting the same rent as a slum landlord and the bad landlord has no real incentive to join."

Landlords interested in joining can contact Mr Howstan on (01207) 218324.