Published on 15 Jan 2016
Hannah of http://www.mccartanlettings.co.uk Swansea talks about the changes in legislation with the Housing Wales Act 2015.
Q. What are the up and coming changes that will affect landlords?
A. It’s a really big change in the way landlords will be renting out their property. On the 23rd November 2015 it became law … the Housing Wales Act 2014 came into play which means that every landlord who has a property that they rent in Wales will have to be registered and those who have an interest in the lettings or management process will need to have a licence.
It is not too onerous on landlords … the licences are valid for 5 years … but the landlords will need to be trained … it’s a one day course and they will need to pass the test at the end of the day to prove they are a fit and proper person.
Q. What are they expected to cover in the training?
A. Everything from how to set up a tenancy, best practice procedures, gas safety certificates … how to conduct yourself properly as a landlord.
We’re really in favour of this legislation because it is going to be driving standards up and hopefully forcing out those rogue landlords.
Q. Does everyone have to do it now or is it being rolled out now?
A. It all came into effect on the 23rd November but of course it is not really well known at the moment so the Welsh government is giving a window of 1 year for everyone to get up to speed on this.
So by going onto https://www.rentsmart.gov.wales/en/ you will be able to register yourself as a landlord and then book yourself onto one of their courses.
Q. Does it apply to someone who has been left a home and decides to rent it out?
A. Absolutely … even if you are renting to a family member or a friend, if you are in receipt of any type of benefit, you are a landlord and are going to have a tenancy agreement so you are going to be bound by this law as much as every other law such as having gas safe certificates.
There is a year for this to come into place so it is important that landlords get the information now because as of 23rd November 2016 the Welsh government have said they will be looking to make examples of people.