Rent
Smart Wales. A new law that is being introduced this autumn which will
affect all private sector landlords and housing agents in Wales.
Everyone who owns and rents out private property in Wales will have
to register with a central licensing authority and obtain a new type of
licence under a new law from this autumn.
It means that Wales will
become the first part of the UK where managing landlords and agents
will need to undertake training to ensure they are aware of their rights
and responsibilities.
The new Rent Smart Wales scheme aims to
raise standards in the private rented sector and will replace the
existing voluntary Landlord Accreditation Wales scheme, which has been
operated by Cardiff Council on behalf of all local authorities in Wales.
It
is intended that the new legislation will also result in raised
awareness by landlords and agents of their respective rights and
responsibilities and in turn, raised awareness by tenants of their
respective rights and responsibilities.
All private landlords who
have a rental property in Wales must register themselves and the
addresses of their rental properties in Wales and those who undertake
defined letting or property management activities at a rental property
in Wales must apply for a licence.
If a landlord instructs an agent to do such work on their behalf, it is that agent who must become
licensed and in order to get a licence a person must be adequately
trained, and also declare themselves ‘fit and proper’.
Licensing
training will be offered through Rent Smart Wales or people can choose
to attend Rent Smart Wales approved training courses delivered by other
bodies.
The Welsh minister with responsibility for housing, Lesley
Griffiths, is encouraging landlords and agents to subscribe for
important news and information ahead of the changes.
‘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,’ she said.
‘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,’ she
explained.
‘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,’ she added.
Cardiff Council,
which currently operates the existing voluntary Landlord Accreditation
Wales scheme, will be the licensing authority for the new statutory
scheme, Rent Smart Wales, on behalf of all local authorities.
‘The
scheme demonstrates the value of training and the development of
positive relationships with landlords based on a better understanding of
responsibilities and the potential risks of getting things wrong,’ said
Bob Derbyshire, Cardiff Council cabinet member for the environment.
‘Rent
Smart Wales is the next step, building on this early success, and
provides an exciting opportunity for Wales to lead the way in
professionalising the private rented sector through focusing on
supporting landlords to get things right first time,’ he pointed out.
‘Centralised
administration at Cardiff Council will deliver a consistent service
across Wales and also provide the opportunity to establish a simple
application process and reduce costs for customers,’ he added.
At YOUR AGENT we've got you covered. Ciontact us today to find out how we can help you comply with the new legislation and take the stress out of managing your property.
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