0:03 AM, 28th October 2024, About 4 weeks ago 5
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The Welsh government thinks landlords should complete a report for Rent Smart Wales every year to check if a property is habitable.
The Welsh government also wants landlords to provide rent prices and explore the idea of making rental prices in different areas public. This is despite the fact that most people can already view rent prices online.
The publication of the Welsh government’s “Fair Rents and Adequate Housing” white paper outlines several measures aimed at improving the Welsh private rented sector.
The Welsh government says that landlords already have to complete some information when renting out a property and claims it wouldn’t take up too much time to add this.
The government says landlords should need to complete a report every year for Rent Smart Wales. It would cover things like:
Other measures in the white paper include landlords providing the amount of rent they charge.
The Welsh government believe this would give tenants the information they need to challenge the rent they are paying or see why they are paying more. For example, improvements have been made to the home.
The white paper suggests that councils should step in as rent guarantors for some people, giving them a chance to prove they can make their payments without needing a guarantor in the future.
The Welsh government aims to boost the number of affordable homes and claims that by cutting taxes for landlords who buy properties to lease to local councils, it can help those councils offer lower rents.
The NRLA gave evidence to the white paper suggesting that rent controls would cause chaos in the Welsh private rented sector.
According to a survey by the NRLA, if a 3% annual rent cap had been in place since 2014 in Wales, a tenant paying £500 per month in 2014 could have seen their rent rise to £652 by 2023. In contrast, without a cap, the average monthly rent would have been £561.
Ben Beadle, chief executive at the NRLA says the white paper rejects calls for the introduction of rent controls.
He said: “It is pleasing to see that the Welsh government has listened to concerns raised by NRLA on behalf of landlords and agents in Wales.
“Ultimately, we want to see a thriving market which provides the best quality accommodation for tenants desperately in need of homes.
“Introducing rent controls would be a disastrous move, as it would only reduce choice and drive up costs. I am delighted that the government has opted to support supply rather than throw up more barriers to housing provision.
“We look forward to working with the Welsh government further to help shape their proposals in a way that works for all groups across the private rented sector.”
Tim Thomas, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, said: “Propertymark welcomes the direction of the White Paper on securing a path towards Adequate Housing, including Fair Rents and Affordability.
“We have extensively engaged with the Welsh Government and are pleased they have listened to our concerns by not implementing rent controls in Wales.
“We also welcome the acknowledgement that localised data sources must improve to make better evidence-based policy decisions for the Private Rented Sector across Wales. This will ensure policy makers have a better understanding of market rents and affordability challenges.
“Fundamentally, we believe that affordability will be achieved by positively stimulating the supply of property via a pro-growth taxation policy.
“Integral to the aims of housing adequacy is a professional, well-regulated, and responsive sector, and we will continue to engage with the Welsh government by demonstrating the professional standards of property agents amongst our membership.”
The Welsh government wants to hear from landlords about their views on the white paper and how to ensure adequate housing, fair rents, and affordability.
Landlords can fill out the consultation here before the 31st of January 2025.
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Keith Wellburn
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Sign Up10:20 AM, 28th October 2024, About 3 weeks ago
What on earth is the reason for a landlord to report the EPC yearly - there is an online register covering the UK on which anyone can lookup a property as they are uploaded by the assessor and obviously don’t change until they are replaced with a new assessment.
About time a similar register was set up for gas safety and EICR so the contractor would just upload it at the time the inspection was done.
Common sense is needed here not more jobsworths piggy backing off landlords. Tenants could also be expected to look at this information without the nonsense of whether it was ‘served’ to them.
Vibha Spal
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Sign Up10:56 AM, 28th October 2024, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Keith Wellburn at 28/10/2024 - 10:20
Yes, you are right. Checklist needs to be joint effort. However, if the tenants are staying more than 12 months, they as the occupants should be responsible to test the smoke alarms etc. they have all the required certificates, rent guide etc, so they know when they are due etc. All governments and charities wish to hold the landlord to be responsible to remember the dates and get the renewal work done on time and chase the tenants for access. The tenants do not have any responsibilities to query this with landlord. Any breakages, some tenants don't bother to let you know. All laws are one sided, against the landlords. Should not the tenants be taught to have some responsibilities. It is set up in rental guide but I have never seen any tenants read them.
Ray Guselli
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Sign Up11:49 AM, 28th October 2024, About 3 weeks ago
Will Local Authority and social housing, (Housing Associations) be exempt...or is it just more bureaucracy and work for the PRS?
Chepstow Landlord
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Sign Up12:26 PM, 28th October 2024, About 3 weeks ago
To be fair to the Welsh government they do appear to be trying to understand the market before bring in their changes, I'm not sure the same can be said of the Scottish or English governments.
Cider Drinker
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Sign Up12:49 PM, 28th October 2024, About 3 weeks ago
One day, we might treat tenants like responsible adults.
Maybe we should give the tenants a questionnaire before we let a property to them. Only let to those that can demonstrate that they understand the responsibilities that come with adulthood and renting property.