Autumn in Wales will never be the same again after the launch of the new compulsory licensing and registration scheme for private landlords. Already there is a considerable outcry against the “Rent Smart Wales” scheme and is being touted as ‘less than smart’.

Lesley Griffiths the Welsh Housing Minister unveiled the scheme under which all private landlords that rent out properties in Wales will have to register with.

To enrol within the scheme any landlord who lets out properties themselves, will have to prove that they are compliant with all of the required practices and commit to training. The other alternative will be to appoint licensed lettings agents to act on their behalf.

Lesley Griffiths said: “We know approximately 184,000 homes in Wales – around one in seven – are now privately rented. With so many people renting, a strong sector with good working practices is absolutely essential.

“The new legislation we are introducing will not only improve the situation for tenants – informing them of their rights and responsibilities – it will also help good landlords by improving the sector’s reputation.

“When Rent Smart Wales is introduced this autumn, it will provide a simple way for landlords to register and for them and their agents to become licensed. Ahead of the changes, I encourage landlords and agents to subscribe to register their interest and to receive useful news and updates.”

Cardiff council has been appointed to run the scheme on behalf of all local authorities across Wales, as they are already running a voluntary ‘Landlord Accreditation Wales’ scheme.

Dyfed Edwards, Welsh Local Government Association spokesperson for housing, said: “With the private rental sector playing an increasingly important role in meeting housing need, the Rent Smart Wales scheme will, for the first time, allow local councils to fully identify all of the private rented properties within their local area.

“While local government already works hard to develop positive relationships with local landlords, this new scheme offers a welcome addition to the enforcement options already in place, and it will help local councils to work more closely with landlords to ensure high standards are being met for private rental tenants in Wales.”

The shadow housing minster in the Welsh Conservative Assembly, Mark Isherwood said: "This flawed scheme is far from ‘smart’, because Labour ministers refused to listen to the sector and empower vulnerable tenants.

"Simply waving a stick won’t work and I fear good landlords will continue to be penalised."

Richard Merrick of PIMS, said: “Obviously we advise all of our members operating in Wales to follow Welsh government’s regulations, however it begs the following questions.

 

“With the advent of the scheme, can local authorities guarantee that they will have the same resource support to eke out the small minority of rogue landlords that tarnish the market sector? Because of the few, another scheme is being implemented that costs good and honest landlords dearly, and who in the end foots the bill.....could it have to be passed onto tenants through no fault of their own?

“There are enough powers to tackle the problem without having to introduce more.”

Wales - Rent Increase

Please note the process for increasing rent for properties in Wales is different than England.  In that if the tenant will not agree a new AST then  more