BII: benchmarking code has teeth

By John Harrington

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Renting Trent accreditation scheme Lease Bii

Robertson: clearing up 'misunderstanding'
Robertson: clearing up 'misunderstanding'
The BII has rejected BBPA's claims that the content of pubco codes are not examined when they get a stamp for clarity from the BII.

The BII has rejected British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) claims that the content of pubco codes are not examined when they get a stamp for clarity from the BII.

BII chief Neil Robertson has responded to a "misunderstanding" on the BII Benchmarking Accreditation Scheme (BIIBAS) by BBPA boss Brigid Simmonds in an article in the Morning Advertiser​ (BBPA pub code: offering greater clarity​).

Simmonds was asked how the BBPA intends its new code on the granting of tenancies and leases to be policed as "BII only reviews for clarity, [through BIIBAS] not content or fairness".

She said: "The BII should always have included content in its accreditation process and this will now be enshrined in the process going forward."

Robertson said he "wanted to correct a misunderstanding" in the answer.

"BIIBAS has always looked at code content and has rejected codes that were unclear or inconsistent. It then monitors a company's performance against the code, and follows up all complaints, often resulting in favourable outcomes for tenants."

He added: "We are however strengthening the BIIBAS process to accommodate the new BBPA members' codes, and will now summarise all code breaches on the website.

"All complaints will continue to be treated confidentially, so tenants needn't worry about that when coming forward.

"The heads of terms we agreed with BBPA and FLVA (copy on members' only area of BII website) provides that companies will bring forward individual codes which we will accredit and monitor.

"Persistent breaches will mean accreditation being removed.

"We see this as a real opportunity for companies to show what they will do for their current and prospective tenants. This will all have to be in place by end June next year at the latest. We would encourage all parties to use the intervening period to contribute to making this process a success.

"Rest assured we will be monitoring the ongoing situation closely and we will work hard to see the improvements that this industry deserves."

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