Supporting Landlords and Tenants

Proposal

Homelessness is a growing issue and as vulnerable people become increasingly dependent on the PRS, privately rented households need to be given the same support as those in social housing. This can be offered by:

• Providing help for those with short-term problems and support-needs that can affect their ability to sustain a tenancy
• Funding Landlord Support Officers to help tenants stay in their homes
• Adding anti-social behaviour to the list of mandatory grounds for repossession.

We also believe the introduction of a new tenant passport would help both landlords and tenants. The new ‘passport’ would allow a landlord to access live data on a prospective tenant, including credit ratings, employment status, and references to establish whether they would be likely to be able to sustain the offered tenancy and potentially identify future support needs. It could also allow tenants to pass their existing deposit on to their new landlord when they move home, without having to raise a ‘second’ deposit before their first one has been returned.

What we are calling for:

• Introduction of a tenant passport
• Help for those with short-term problems and support-needs that can affect their ability to sustain a tenancy
• Funding for Landlord Support Officers to help tenants stay in their homes
• Anti-social behaviour to be added to the list of mandatory grounds for repossession

Tenant Passport

The new ‘passport’ would allow a landlord to access live data on a prospective tenant, such as credit ratings, employment status and references to establish whether they would be able to sustain the offered tenancy and to potentially identify future support needs. It could also allow tenants to pass their existing deposit on to their new landlord when they move home, without having to raise a ‘second’ deposit before their first one has been returned. This latter element is due to be introduced in England after forming part of the Conservative manifesto commitments in 2019.

Benefits

• Ends the cash-flow problems with deposit raising and speeds up the referencing process
• Equality of support services between the private and social sectors will lead to more stable tenancies and, in turn, improved mental health for all parties.
• Landlords will be more compliant, more invested and more engaged with Rent Smart Wales
• Anti-social tenants are dealt with quicker

Examples

• Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils with West Suffolk Council: Used £200k funding to create a Supported Lettings Team to offer greater assurances and confidence to landlords to house tenants. Steps in at early stages of rough sleeping and offers support to develop independent living skills, including managing a tenancy and budget management as well as help with benefits and work or education issues.
• Salford City Council’s Property Link: launched in 2019, Property Link matches landlords with tenants to reduce housing waiting lists. Over 200 people have found new homes as a result and now the agency is going one step further, offering landlords a free advice service to tackle any problems they may have, such as arrears and tenant disputes

Case Study

Read Eleanor's story that shows how the system does not support landlords who let to vulnerable tenants.

Campaign Updates

• 26 March 2021 - NRLA meets Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Jane Dodds, and Housing spokesperson, Cllr Jackie Charlton
• 24 March 2021 - NRLA meets Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate for Dwyfor Meirionydd
• 23 March 2021 - NRLA meets Rhys ab Owen, Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate for Cardiff West and South Wales Central
• 11 February 2021 - NRLA meets Cllr James Evans, Conservative Senedd candidate for Brecon & Radnorshire
• 11 February 2021 - NRLA meets with Shadow Housing Minister, Laura Jones MS (Con, South Wales East).
• 27 January 2021 - NRLA meets with Senedd committee chair, John Griffiths MS (Lab, Newport East).
• 19 January 2021 - NRLA meets with Hefin David MS (Lab, Caerphilly).
• 10 December 2020 - NRLA release 2021 manifesto. Read more here.
• 2020-2021 - NRLA works with Tai Pawb and Platfform to design a mental health training course for landlords as part of Rent Smart Wales CPD training