Manchester City Council, which has decided against the selective licensing route, has launched a Renting Pledge.

It is a voluntary initiative for landlords, letting agents and tenants and is aimed at raising awareness of the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants.

The strategy is aimed at channelling the council’s resources at the minority of ‘rogue’ landlords.

Tenants who sign up to the pledge will have to promise to look after the property, pay their rent on time and be a good neighbour.

Landlords must deal with repairs promptly, provide written tenancy agreement, protect tenants’ deposits and deal with anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Jeff Smith, the council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said: “Manchester’s private rented sector is expanding more rapidly than any other UK city – now accounting for 27% of the city’s residents – and will continue to expand as the city’s economy grows.

“It is essential that these properties offer high-quality, well-managed accommodation, and tenants have confidence in their landlord to act responsibly and provide a desirable home.

“In turn, landlords should have assurance that those tenants will look after their investment and pay their rent.”

Paul Beardmore, director of housing, said: “There’s probably 70% to 80% of landlords that we don’t need to deal with, that do their jobs well, and they will benefit from the pledge, while we marshal public sector resources into specific areas.”