The Welsh Government has published proposals for how its national mandatory registration and licensing scheme for all letting agents and private landlords would work.
Each will be required to register with the local authority where the property is located within a year, or face a fine of up to £20,000.
Local councils will responsible for taking any necessary enforcement action, which could also include giving tenants a rent-free period. Those operating in the private rented sector but who fail to register will be guilty of a criminal offence.
Registration costs, proposed at around £50, are intended to make the scheme self-financing.
The consultation closes on August 17.
Separately, Newham Council in London, which is setting up a mandatory borough-wide licensing scheme for all rented properties from January 1, has announced it will charge landlords £500 for a five-year licence, with fines of up to £20,000 for non-compliance.
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Comments
It is possible that, the way things are going, within 5 years all Estate (sales) Agents and Letting (management) Agents will be more or less a Local Authority Department - start planning now to abandon ship!