NRLA welcomes arrival of Welsh Tenancy Hardship Grant

Further to the announcement of the new Tenancy Hardship Grant (THG) by the Welsh Government, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) welcomes the introduction of this new scheme.

The grant, which replaces the previous Tenancy Saver Loan (TSL), will provide support to tenants who incurred rent arrears between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021 due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. The move will expand the scheme’s accessibility significantly, as the NRLA have called for.

The new THG scheme consists of £10m of funding for those tenants who are in Covid-related rental arrears and will be available until at least the end of the financial year. Those individuals who have a loan under the existing loan scheme will have them converted to a grant.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said:

“Today’s announcement is a positive step for both landlords and tenants in Wales and will help keep people in their homes. We welcome that the Welsh Government has listened to NRLA calls to introduce an improved scheme that will help more tenants pay their rent.

“It is essential that the grants are made as accessible for tenants as possible and implemented effectively. We encourage landlords who have tenants with arrears to make them aware of the scheme.

“This help in Wales follows that of Scotland, and exposes England as being the poor relation when it comes to support for the private rented sector. It is time for the Chancellor to provide similar assistance for landlords and tenants in England.”

Notes:

• Further information about the NRLA can be found at www.nrla.org.uk.  It tweets @NRLAssociation.
• The NRLA’s press office can be contacted by emailing [email protected] or ringing 0300 131 6363.