0:03 AM, 28th October 2024, About 9 hours ago
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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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