The Welsh Bill for taking on “revenge evictions” has Welsh Landlords up in arms and they believe that this will feed opportunistic lawyers intent on making fees from it.

The “Renting Homes Bill” had just been published and centres on tackling the small minority of rogue landlords from evicting tenants if they want property repairs and improvements made to their rented homes so they become fit for purpose.

 

An Industry Association has sent out a stark warning that the bill will play straight into lawyers’ hands as “tenants and landlords get bogged down in costly court processes”.
 
Even Shelter Cymru has opposed the plan to introduce the bill as they believe that the costs would end up being passed onto the tenants by increased rents. They say that the bill is unlikely to tackle the rogues.

Previously Shelter Cymru, worked with the Citizens Advice Bureau Wales and in 2013 published a report on the issue which stated: “In reality the transition to protecting tenants from retaliatory action may need to be managed in a way that gives landlords time to raise investment and minimises the likelihood of extreme rent rises.”
 
It also included: “Rogue landlords will still be a problem. There is a risk that introducing protection from retaliatory eviction may encourage rogue landlords to resort to illegal eviction methods such as harassment or withdrawal of services. This is why it is critical that local authorities have the resources to carry out enforcement.”
 
The Law Commission for England and Wales back in 2008 also warned against such legislation.
 
There are a number of measures within the Bill that are positives such as taking action on returning abandoned houses to homes and to help teach tenants about their rights and responsibilities.