LATEST: Trade body launches bid to head off rent controls in Wales

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The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has launched an initiative to try and head off expected rent controls in Wales.

Its Shadow Wales White Paper sets out how the trade body believes the Welsh private rented sector could be improved, as well as pointing out the defects in the coalition government’s proposed restrictions to rent rises.

These were revealed in November last year but Welsh landlords are still waiting to hear the details of how rent controls would work. This includes whether they would be a rent ‘cap’ or restrictions on rises bound to inflation, the most common types proposed by campaigners.

“The NRLA has long held the view that rent controls of any kind simply do not work and do not have the intended effect of addressing affordability in the private rented sector,” the NRLA document says.

The rent control proposals are an output of the country’s Labour and nationalist party Plaid Cymru coalition, as both parties are keen on rent controls, although recent media coverage points to both sides not seeing eye-to-eye on how they should be implemented.

Longer notice periods

The coalition has also been instrumental in shaping other even more radical measures including new, longer ASTs and longer notice periods, announced earlier this year.

But the NRLA says its own research shows that only 11 per cent of landlords said they planned to increase the number of properties they let out whilst far more, 37 per cent, plan to cut the number they rent out.

“Our White Paper sets out what must be done in Wales to build a fairer, more inclusive PRS for both tenants and landlords and the damage that outmoded notions of rent control could have on the market,” says Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA.

“Ultimately, with affordability and supply issues continuing to dog the Welsh private rented sector, rent controls would exacerbate these ongoing problems and fail to provide a solution fit for the twenty-first century.”

The social sector is already subject to a rent rise cap, which sets out how much social landlords can increase rents each, subject to an annual review, the most recent of which was published recently.

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Landlords urged to help tenants to take in Ukraine refugees as thousands apply

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Huge numbers of tenants are keen to sign up for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, says the Guild of Property Professionals, which has urged them to work closely with landlords.

It says there have been growing numbers of enquiries from tenants who are unsure about the rules, while several lettings agents have asked for guidance about the scheme, which launches today.

Compliance officer Paul Offley explains that if a tenant wants to offer accommodation, they will need to have a spare room available in their property and would also need the landlord’s consent.

“The DLUHC have stated that sponsors will be asked to offer a minimum of six months’ accommodation, which would need to be taken into consideration by both the tenant and the landlord before agreeing to be a host,” says Offley.

This means that a landlord might have a problem if they wanted to end the tenancy at an earlier date, he adds.

The government is currently in the process of providing more detailed guidance, which should be published within the next day or two, according to the Guild.

“This guidance will include information around the status of the arrangement, required accommodation standards and the checks that will be done on the sponsor, as well as the person they will be hosting,” he explains.

“It is important to remember that the sponsor will have to be matched to the person they are hosting.”

While tenants will not be able to charge rent, the government will hand out an optional ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month to hosts.

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Shadow White Paper for Wales

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Today, in its Shadow Wales White Paper, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) sets the future direction necessary for a fairer, more inclusive PRS in Wales.

The Shadow White Paper, entitled “The Future of Private Renting in Wales”

View Full Article: Shadow White Paper for Wales

LATEST: London council launches own private renters’ union with Generation Rent

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Lewisham Council is working with tenants to launch a dedicated private renters’ union, understood to be the second of its kind in the UK after Southwark set one up during the pandemic.

It wants to give private tenants in the London borough a stronger voice to raise issues and help them access support and advice, and is working with tenants’ advocacy group Generation Rent to find out more about the issues they face by conducting a survey and holding focus groups.

Generation Rent director Alicia Kennedy(pictured) tells LandlordZONE it is organising events that explore private renters’ experience in Lewisham and how they feel they could have a stronger voice in the council.

“As part of this we will encourage participants to consider how they want to engage with Lewisham Council and all options that might improve tenants’ experiences, including support from and engagement with existing groups such as London Renters Union, ACORN and Citizens Advice,” she says.

“We will be sharing the findings of our conversations with private renters in Lewisham and their feedback with Lewisham Council to inform their future decisions.”

The concept has the approval of Shadow Justice Minister Ellie Reeves who flagged it up during a debate this week on housing standards.

Criticised

She told the Commons: “The aim is to provide a link between renters and councils, help the local authority become better informed about the issues that private renters face and what it can do to support them, and help renters to become more knowledgeable about the council services available to them.”

However, the plan has been criticised on social media for trying to undermine current unions such as Acorn and London Renters Union. One Tweet says: “I recommend people join this lovely bunch rather than put themselves at the whims of the same council that leaves so many suffering in poor conditions.”

LandlordZONE has approached Lewisham Council for comment.

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