Welsh Housing Survey

Proposal

Research on the PRS in Wales is limited, meaning policymaking is too often made based on anecdotal evidence. We recommend that the Welsh Government commission an annual Welsh Housing Survey similar to that conducted regularly in England, giving decision-makers access to a comprehensive package of reliable, independent data on all areas of housing. Our proposal is already backed by several organisations, among them Homes for All Cymru, an alliance including Shelter and Crisis. Read the statement from the NRLA and the campaign backers here.

What we are calling for:

We want the Welsh Government to commission an annual Welsh Housing Survey similar to that conducted regularly in England, giving decision-makers access to a comprehensive package of reliable, independent data on all areas of housing.

Supporters

• Homes for All Cymru, an alliance including Shelter and Crisis
• Chartered Institute of Housing Wales
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme
• Tai Pawb
• ARLA-Propertymark
• Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
• The Welsh Conservatives
• The Welsh Liberal Democrats
• Mike Hedges MS (Labour), Chair of the Cross Party Group for Housing (2011-21)

Benefits

• More robust data for policymakers to make informed decisions
• End the dependence on anecdotal evidence
• Correct misconceptions and address neglected areas
• Using the same measurements for the housing industry as England will allow for easier comparisons to be made, leading to best practice and greater accountability.

Background

• English Housing Survey: Running annually since 1967, the survey involves an interview and a physical inspection of a sub-sample of properties. Information collected includes data on the proportion of PRS tenancies ended by the tenant, the levels of satisfaction among social renters, and the percentage of owner-occupied homes that are under-occupied
• Housing Conditions Evidence Programme: A Welsh data collection programme that captures information about the condition and energy efficiency/performance of all types and tenures of housing in Wales, but not empty properties
• National Survey for Wales: This national survey involves around 12,000 people each year and covers a wide range of topics but captures limited information on housing. Along with HCEP, this marks the extent of national housing data collection

Campaign Updates

• 9 June 2021 - First meeting of the WHS Steering Group as work begins on building a blueprint for the survey
• 26 March 2021 - Welsh Liberal Democrats back a Welsh Housing Survey
• 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
• 25 February 2021 - Mike Hedges MS (Lab, Swansea East), Chair of the Cross Party Group for Housing and Laura Jones MS (Con, South Wales East), Shadow Housing Minister, wrote an article in support of a Welsh Housing Survey. Read it here.
• 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.
• 19 October 2020 - NRLA launch campaign for a Welsh Housing Survey. Read the blog from NRLA Policy Director Chris Norris here.
• 14 October 2020 - Senedd's Equality, Local Government, and Communities Committee back exploration of better data on the private rented sector in Wales, following NRLA evidence. The Legislation, Justice, and Constitution Committee later made similar recommendations to the Welsh Government. Read more here.
• September 2020 - Homes for All Cyrmu, an umbrella housing organsiation that includes the NRLA, includes a call for better data collection, such as in the form of a Welsh Housing Survey, in its post-Covid housing report.