NRLA arguments shared in Government report

As the end of the year approaches, public affairs officer Joshua Helm-Cowley rounds up the activities of the NRLA’s public affairs team and key updates from the Welsh Government from the past month.

Building Safety (Wales) Bill 

The stage one report into the Bill includes some of our key concerns, with the the Senedd Local Government and Housing Committee concluding that:  

• The Welsh Government is adding more, potentially unsuitable, legislation to the house in multiple occupation (HMO) regulations 

• There is a need for a proper definition of a “competent person” in respect of who can carry out fire safety risk assessments. 

• The Welsh Government needs to provide a more accurate estimate of the additional costs to landlords as a result of the Bill. 

This follows the submission of written evidence and oral evidence from our head of regional business Steve Bletsoe. 

NRLA concerns around tenants withholding rent, inconsistent enforcement of existing legislation, and the practicalities of who should conduct fire safety risk assessments were also reflected in the Committee’s report.  

We will make sure to keep you up to date as the Bill proceeds through the Senedd and if/when the Bill becomes law before the Senedd election in May. 

Senedd Election Manifesto 

Speaking of May’s upcoming election, we have  been busy working out what we want to see from the next Welsh Government to ensure the Welsh public rented sector (PRS) can thrive and provide high-quality homes to tenants. 

Our manifesto clearly sets out the current situation with landlords leaving the market, exacerbating an already chronic shortage of rental homes in Wales.  

This shortage is particularly noticeable outside of Cardiff and Swansea, where thousands of private rented homes have been lost since the last Senedd election in 2021.  

To alleviate this shortage, the manifesto, which we will be releasing in the coming weeks, calls for measures that will help to expand supply, incentivise investment in improving properties, promote greater understanding of the Welsh PRS, ultimatelyleading to better outcomes for tenants. Keep an eye on our news site and social media channels for more.Welsh Government  to fall short of housing target.

The Welsh Government has confirmed it will fall just short of its pledge to build 20,000 new low-carbon social homes for rent, with the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant confirmed the projected figure will be  18,652  by the time of the elections in May. 

We have welcomed the addition of social homes to the supply of housing in Wales but have stressed Wales  needs more housing of all tenures  and that it is is vital  the Welsh Governmentimplements policies that incentivise investment in new stock across the board. 

For more information on our campaigning work in Wales, click here.