The letting agents’ trade body Propertymark says it’s consulting with the Welsh Government on preparation for a new Bill.
The Senedd’s legislative programme for the next 18 months includes a Rental Bill, expected in 2027, which will initially focus on rent data and strengthening the enforcement and regulatory role of Rent Smart Wales (RSW).
The Bill is intended to lay the foundations for wider reforms later in the Senedd term.
These could include measures to make rents fairer, limit so-called no-fault evictions and strengthen tenants’ rights.
The Welsh Government is also developing proposals for a legal right to adequate housing.
Propertymark has offered to convene a roundtable of property agents working in Wales so that Ministers and officials can hear directly about the practical effects of the proposals.
A statement says: “We will continue to engage with the Welsh Government and the Senedd throughout the development, consultation and scrutiny of the Rental Bill.
“Our focus will be on securing reforms that protect tenants while maintaining investment, housing supply and confidence in the Welsh private rented sector.”
The body says the Welsh Government intends to submit rental data compulsory to build a clearer picture of rents across Wales and support decisions on Local Housing Allowance (LHA), benefits administration, and future policies on rent levels.
Last week Propertymark’s policy and campaigns officer, Tim Thomas, met officials to discuss the legislative programme, highlighting the practical impact that new reporting duties could have on letting agents.
Larger agencies manage substantial amounts of tenancy and rent data, making extraction, formatting and submission potentially significant . Smaller businesses may have fewer staff, less technical capacity and limited resources to manage additional reporting.
Propertymark wants any new system to explain clearly why information is being collected, how it will be used and how it will influence policy; to make reporting as simple and automated as possible; and wherever possible use information already supplied through systems such as HMRC.
More information on the reform is expected later this month.
