NRLA Wales campaigns update: What we are doing for you

This month the NRLA Wales policy team has been busy meeting with key officials, where we discussed topics including the Renting Homes (Wales) Act, rent controls and more.

The NRLA continues to meet with the Welsh Government over uncertainty in the private rented sector in Wales since the implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act on 1st December 2022. There are still some grey areas relating to the Act, and the NRLA has called for improved guidance documents to be made available on the Welsh Government website.

In particular, the NRLA is calling for clarity around the lack of up-to-date N5B forms on the Welsh Government website and more generally the lack of guidance available for everyone operating in the Private Rental Sector in Wales.

Elsewhere this month, and NRLA Wales also continues to represent members in the Fair Rent and a Right to Adequate Housing Green paper. The paper will be produced in May 2023. A few weeks ago NRLA Operations Manager Steve Bletsoe and policy manager James Wood attended the Stakeholder Advisory Group meeting about the paper, ensuring landlords views are fully represented. They presented evidence that legislated rent controls don’t work and could be further detrimental to an already delicate Welsh PRS

A further meeting was held this morning (16th February) where the complexities around retrofitting existing properties for perceived adequacy could prove problematic through cost to landlords. The NRLA remain committed to ensuring that the voice of the landlord is heard in these early stages of the Green and White Papers production.

Also this month, NRLA Wales will provide evidence on the implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act. We intend to highlight the difficulties of the conversion process for landlords, particularly given the lack of clear information to help landlords comply with their requirements. 

The association also made representations at various ongoing stakeholder meetings, representing the views of landlords, this month. This included meetings with the Homes for All Cymru working Group, both Welsh Government Cross Party Groups on Housing, Rent Smart Wales Stakeholders Group and the Welsh Government Housing and Regeneration Stakeholder Meeting.

Keep up to date with the latest on NRLA campaigning by following us on Twitter, and booking your place on our next Wales FAQ webinar on Monday 27th February at 6pm.