Wales

Campaign - Possession Reform

Last year, the Welsh Government announced its intention to reform possession law in Wales. It has decided to press forward with its proposals – which it consulted on last summer – in the form of the Renting Homes (Amendment) Bill. The proposals are:

• Extend the minimum notice period required under a Section 173 notice – this will replace Section 21 once the Act is commenced – from two months to six months.
• Restrict the issue of a S173 notice until six months after the date of issue of a contract (as opposed to four months as currently set out in the Act).
• Restrict the issuing of a S173 notice for six months after the expiry of a previous notice.
• Remove a landlord’s ability issue a notice, during a fixed term standard contract, to end the contract at the expiry of the fixed term (under S186).
• Restrict the use and ability to include break clauses in contracts of a certain duration.

The Bill will amend the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 before it is commenced. When the Bill passes, the amended 2016 Act will come into force before the 2021 Welsh Parliament election on 1 April 2021 as the Welsh Government intends.

NRLA Wales Priorities

NRLA Wales is committed to improving the image and perceptions of PRS landlords, working with government to shape legislation that will support them, at the same time as protecting tenants and improving standards. We believe this can be done by:

1. Streamlining licensing

2. Supporting landlords and tenants

3. Improving private rented housing stock

4. Using empty properties to rebuild communities

5. Trusting evidence that proves rent controls don’t work

6. Resisting Right-to-Rent  

7. Improving justice for landlords and tenants

8. Introducing tenant passporting

9. Expanding the Evidence Base for Housing