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Radical rental reform measures to become law in July

A controversial reform programme for the private rental sector in Wales is to go ahead from July 15 this year - despite serious misgivings from landlords and agents.

The Renting Homes Wales Act is described by the ruling administration in Cardiff as the biggest shift in housing law in decades, and will make permanent the already-applied six month tenancy notice.

It also outlaws the issuing of notice within the first six months of a tenancy, meaning that in effect there is a minimum tenancy a 12 month period. 

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This means that tenants in Wales will have the greatest protection from the start of their contract than in any other part of the UK.

The Act also gives protection against any retaliatory eviction should a landlord try to remove a tenant for seeking repairs to a property.

The National Residential Landlords Association is one of many bodies to raise concerns about the measure when it was being consulted upon.

 

 

NRLA policy and campaigns director Chris Norris says: “With the Welsh Government now moving forward with its plans to implement the Renting Homes Wales Act, there is still a pressing need for more clarity as to what the supporting framework of the Act looks like.

“The extent of landlords’ future obligations under this legislation also underlines how crucial it is that existing legislation be made fit for purpose before new regulations are introduced.

“While we welcome the introduction of the Act, it is vital that the supporting legislation is fit for purpose and scrutinised sufficiently. In particular, the occupation contract terms, which all landlords must use, needs to improve significantly from its original consultation draft.

“These important steps must be taken before more complex regulations are introduced by the Welsh Government over the course of this year.”

And Daryl McIntosh, policy manager at Propertymark, comments: “Communication and education will be key to the success of the new tenancy regime that the Renting Homes (Wales) Act brings.

“The changes could be problematic if agents are not well versed, and we would suggest that agents prepare well in advance of July which is something we will be supporting our members through.

“It remains to be seen how the changes to notice periods will affect the choices of both landlords and tenants as their access to flexibility is restricted.”

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    A foretaste of what will happen to the PRS should Labour ever be in government in England. Tenants, of course, need only give four weeks notice, not even a month. Will the last landlord to leave Wales please turn out the lights.

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    Moving towards giving the property to the tenant. When did the rest of the British Isles voted to let Wales become independent. Worse still Its English Money paying for Marxist Drakeford to do this.

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    Nobody voted for this in England. If the English taxpayers were asked if they wanted to subsidise Wales and Scotland we know what the answer would be. It is only the politicians who think we should support everyone else except the people paying taxes in England.

    This is yet another reason why bliar should never be knighted.

     
  • Roger  Mellie

    I'm not sure what the problem here is anyway. Homes in wales cost the same as a walnut whip, even a tenant on benefits can buy a home and still have change for 8 litres of Strongbow and a blow out shop in Iceland.

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    Whoa! Sounds like a good idea for an instant party. BYOB. Oh, heck, it's Wales isn't it? They've shut down. Never mind eh?

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    As with many aspects of the "impositions" placed on the people of Wales, this Act has, in the main, totally ignored the inputs provided during the so called "consultation period".
    Unfortunately Drakeford and Co act as a "fag packet dictatorship" accordingly there will be a great deal of confusion created if - as is the norm - they don't get their act together and put together the legislation and guidelines that are unambiguous, fair to all and does not represent their very narrow political agenda.

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